 For
several years private organizations involved in fund raising
for community theatres, historic play-houses and schools have
found success in raising funds for the renovation of seating,
stage curtains, carpeting, and general painting by instituting
an Adopt-a-Chair program.
Irwin Seating Company the largest and most experienced
company in the seating restoration business has assisted these
organizations in providing information and samples to facilitate
the program.
The following are recommendations developed through past
experiences in coordinating an Adopt-a- Chair program.
- A sample of an existing theatre/auditorium chair should
be removed and returned to Irwin Seating for sampling. Irwin
Seating will restore that chair incorporating the customers
choice of fabric, paint color, decoration, etc. A mounting
board for the display of that chair will also be provided.
This is a very effective demonstration and sales tool that
will show just how beautiful a restored chair can be and
become the Number One marketing element for the Adopt-a-Chair
program.
- The sample will be provided on a no-charge basis.
- Sample chair should be prominently displayed in lobby
of the theatre or school with an appropriate sign indicating
the Adopt-a-Chair program placard. The placard should contain
the following information:
- Usually $250 - $300 per seat donation.
- Announcement that a donor plaque will be attached to
each chair as a permanent testimony to the contributor.
Plaque will be bronze, professionally engraved and will
be shown on the sample.
- Placard should also contain information regarding the
approximate number of chairs needed to be restored and a
realistic goal for completion of the campaign.
- Name of the organization running the campaign, address,
and phone number where contributions should be sent.
- The marketing of this program should include several
other placements of the sample for maximum exposure.
- Front window of a local business establishment willing
to advertise and display the product. Community functions
such as Fourth of July parade, where the chair and placard
might be prominently displayed.
- Alumni reunions and class reunions where the chair may
be set up on a table for display.
- PTA/PTO meetings with the sample display, placard, brochure
and sign up sheets
- Lions Club, Rotary Club, K of C and Masonic Lodge Meetings,
functions etc.
- In order to explain the program and promote its sales,
a brochure should be prepared giving details, photos, testimonials,
and subscription card.
- Write up an article and advertise in a local newspaper.
Very often for a small advertisement, the local paper will
provide a feature article about the program and throw in
their support.
- Most campaigns that are successful have sponsoring organizations
that spearhead and coordinate all activities. That organization
might be the local Historical Society the PTA/PTO Lions
or Kiwanis Club, local Arts Council, etc. Sponsoring organizations
usually have experience in fund raising campaigns and are
able to provide better results than a grass root, start
up organization, just raising funds for theatre restoration.
- Cost: Generally speaking, east restored auditorium chair
is going to cost in the neighborhood of $250 - $325 per
chair. This number will vary depending on the condition
of the chairs, type of fabric used, etc. During the sampling
period, Longo will provide you with an accurate figure as
to cost once we have analyzed the chair and determined what
will be needed for a quality restoration. Because the chair
is the most visual, and will be the item displaying the
donor tag, it is generally considered the most marketable
of the restoration process. To cover additional costs involved
in the restoration of items such as draperies, curtain,
rigging, carpeting and painting, you might consider increasing
the donation per chair. For a school program, any contribution
over $300 may be prohibitive or may greatly slow down your
campaign. For historical theatres with wealthy clientele,
$450 - $650 is not out of the question.
- Campaigns have also been successful in utilizing a donor
plaque with the names of all donors attached to a wooden
plaque displayed in the lobby of the building rather than
individual tags per chair. Some have even done both.
- In order for people to track the progress of any campaign,
the use of a giant thermometer showing progress towards
the goal of 100% is effective. This thermometer, placed
outside the building for all to see, could also be reprinted
occasionally in a newspaper, again reminding people of the
campaign and progress being made towards the goal.
- If a campaign begins to slow down and needs a major boost,
you may want to consider restoring part of the auditorium,
such as the main floor, balcony, or center section without
doing the side sections. People will see the effect the
chairs have on the overall appearance of the auditorium
and this will give your campaign a boost. Doing a small
portion of chairs may slightly affect the price because
of increased freight rates, etc.
If you have any questions or seek additional information,
contact Longo Associates, Inc. at (201) 825-1500, Fax (201)
825-4784 Or email at info@longoinc.com
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