SUNDOG THEATRE SELECTED BY FOUNDATION CENTER FOR
PRO BONO TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN FUNDRAISING
December 17, 2002, Staten Island, NY. Sundog Theatre, Staten Island's newest performing arts company, has been chosen to receive free technical assistance services offered by a training initiative of the Foundation Center, the nation's leading authority on institutional philanthropy. The Center has selected 20 recipient organizations of different types in the New York City area and has matched them each with a consultant. The technical assistance period extends through June of 2003.
The Fundraising Consultants Network II, sponsored by the Clark Foundation and administered through the Foundation Center, was instituted to enrich and broaden the skills of nonprofit fundraising consultants in New York City.
Sundog Theatre's consultant, Josy Fox, is working with the Theatre on identifying funding resources; developing grant proposals and promotional materials; and exploring fundraising strategies for the board of directors. Additionally, Sundog benefits from Ms. Fox's use of the Foundation Center's extensive resource materials and access to other fundraisers' expertise.
Recipient criteria include: a clear articulation of purpose; non profit status; no paid, full-time development staff; an operating budget of $500,000 or less; and the need for pro bono technical assistance services.
"This assistance arrives at a perfect time and we are grateful to the Foundation Center. We have wonderful plans for Sundog Theatre on Staten Island and are seeking additional resources with which to implement them," states Susan Fenley, Sundog's artistic director. "Like other organizations during these times, we struggle for funds. We see this as a win for Sundog and for Staten Island's theatrical future."
Evaluations by consultants and recipients at the end of last year's sessions had high ratings. JuWon Choi, the Foundation Center's Director of Educational Services, says, "Unanimously, the response was positive beyond belief. We expanded the technical assistance services from a one-time/three hour component in the first year program to one day per month over eight months. The Clark Foundation also recognized the success of the program so that they are funding it now for 2002/2003."
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