The Black AIDS Institute Presents the 8th Annual Heroes In The Struggle Gala

A bi-coastal celebration Honoring Leading Black Women in the Fight against HIV/AIDS December 1st in New York City and February 4th in Los Angeles

The Black AIDS Institute, a leading organization dedicated to fighting HIV/AIDS in Black communities is hosting its 8th Annual Heroes in the Struggle Gala Reception and Awards Presentation. In recognition of the recent opening of the Institute’s New York offices, this year’s event will be bi-coastal and open with a special performance by award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph. In line with this year’s theme, Black Men Honoring Black Women in the Struggle, each of this year’s honorees are pioneering women who have demonstrated incredible commitments to ending the AIDS pandemic in Black communities.

The first of the two celebrations will be held on December 1st, World AIDS Day, in New York City at The Allen Room, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Hosted by AJ Calloway, EXTRA TV’s Entertainment Correspondent, the New York event will honor the work of Dr. Marjorie Hill (CEO of Gay Men’s Health Crisis Center), Bev Smith (Host of the Bev Smith Show), the Honorable Barbara Lee (U.S. House of Representatives), Sonya Lockett (Vice President of Public Affairs, BET Networks), Andrea Williams (AIDS Activist) and will include a special posthumous tribute to New York City Councilman and AIDS Activist, Philip Reed. In addition to honoring nine extraordinary women, the Black AIDS Institute will also honor the M.A.C AIDS FUND as this year’s Corporate Hero with a special presentation by Vogue Editor at Large, Andre Leon Talley.

The annual event unveils the year’s inductees into the Heroes in the Struggle traveling photo exhibit that honors Black people who have made outstanding contributions in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and raises desperately needed funds to fight HIV/AIDS in Black communities.

Recently, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a study confirming our worst fears: the American epidemic is at least 40% worse than previously believed. This sad news serves only to dramatically underscore the point the Black AIDS Institute has been making for years.

WHEN: World AIDS DAY, Monday, December 1, 20086:30pm--VIP Reception, Special Performance by Oscar-nominated choir Impact7:30pm – Awards Presentation, Special Performances

WHERE: The Allen Room, Fredrick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 60th Street, New York City

WHO: Actor Danny Glover, BET Network’s CEO Debra Lee, Power 105FM radio personality Ed Lover, Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart, Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza, Actress Gloria Reuben, Actor Hill Harper, Actress Vanessa Williams, New York Knicks forward Malik Rose, BET correspondent Jeff Johnson, Brenda Braxton from Broadway revival Chicago, President and Urban League CEO Marc Morial, and Actor NaShawn Kearse. Special performances by Sheryl Lee Ralph, Platinum selling R&B artist Case, the Oscar-nominated Impact Repertory Theater and Evidence Dance Company.

Los Angeles Event: In commemoration of National Black AIDS Awareness Month, the Los Angeles event will be held on February 4, 2009, 6 to 9 pm, at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Actor/activist Hill Harper will lead the celebration to honor the following Heroes: Sandra J. Evers-Manly (President of the Northrop Grumman Foundation), Dr. Kimberly Yvette Smith (HIV/AIDS Researcher, Rush University Medical Center), Cookie Johnson (Philanthropist) and Gloria Ruben (Award-Winning Actress, ER, Raising the Bar).

For more information about Heroes in the Struggle or the Black AIDS Institute, log onto http://www.blackaids.org/

For event and ticket information, contact Michelle Huff, HUFF Events & PR, http://us.mc6.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=michelle@huffent.com , 212.239.1732.

Great fundraising IS possible during tough times.

Gail Perry MBA, CFRE
Let's face it. With the global economy tanking, philanthropy is taking a back seat in many people's minds. Whether donors are experiencing a cash crunch or not, the real problem is that many people are simply not feeling like giving right now. It's their attitude that has changed as much as anything.

Here is what smart fundraisers need to do now.

Focus on your core supporters. This is not the best time to seek new friends and donors for your organization. One of my great mottos is: "When you need funding, always go to your current donors first."

Why? Current donors are already "pre-sold" on your mission and your great work. They are already on your bandwagon because they have already invested in your organization.

Above all, don't let them drift away during this economic turmoil. Donor attrition is a terrible problem in our industry - we are losing our donors because we never spend enough time on them.

For the rest of my article, please click here:
http://www.philanthropyjournal.org/resources/fundraisinggiving/successful-fundraising-tough-times


www.gailperry.com

Outlook for Foundation Giving Into 2009

Steven Lawrence, senior director of research at the Foundation Center, explains in an October 2008 research advisory that the Center still expects foundation giving to grow ahead of inflation in 2008.

Foundation assets grew faster than inflation between 2003 and 2007, which enabled grant makers to replenish their endowments after the downturn of the early 2000s, Lawrence explains. For foundations that determine their annual grants budgets based on a rolling average of their asset values, this growth should help to mediate the impact of possible asset losses in 2008 on their giving in 2009. Some foundations will also benefit from new gifts and bequests, and the sector as a whole will benefit from the continued establishment of new and sometimes quite large foundations.

What does this mean for 2009? Should the stock market recover some of its losses by year's end, the various factors cited above may help overall foundation giving to remain roughly unchanged next year. This would be the best-case scenario, Lawrence explains. “However, if the market fails to rebound from its current low or sinks further, the asset losses may be so pronounced and touch so many foundations that an overall decrease in funding becomes inevitable.”

BENEFIT AUCTION CONSULTANT

Rowlan is available to consult on any and all aspects of your benefit auction.

*Strategies to increase profits in any economy
*What items sells best
*How do I best run a silent auction
*How to hire a professional auctioneer
*Best ways to conduct a "Fund an Item" appeal
*Sponsorship benefits and involvement
*Auction Design and Planning
*Volunteer, board and staff training
*Timing, structure and show flow to maximize revenues
*Sound and lighting specifications
*Tour auction venue to recommend layout and set up
*Ideas for high-yield silent and live auction items
*Top selling items - what items sells best!
*Items solicitation techniques and coaching
*Live and Silent Auctions
*Proper sequencing of live auction items and bid increments
*How to best run a silent auction
*Selection of silent and live items
*Silent auction set up and display
*Live auction staging and display
*Lights, Camera, Auction!
*Add entertainment and fun
*Multi-media approaches
*Orchestrate music and entertainment into the auction
*Training & Coaching Volunteers, board and staff, sponsors, auction committees

CUSTOM WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS

Contact Rowlan to design a program for your organization

Info@RowalnHill.com or 602-758-0865

Event Planning in Phoenix

Benefit Auctioneer