Development & Marketing Manager Report

FY17 – December 16, 2016
 
Development
  • Individual Giving for FY17:
    • As of 12/15/16: $45,121 (35% to total goal)
    • At this time last year: $42,619
 
  • Direct Mail #1 hit homes December 2
  • Direct Mail #2 scheduled to hit homes December 26
    • Segmented mail house lists by: last year donors, lapsed donors, Idol supporters (but not AF donors), and ticket buyers who have never donated
    • Sending personalized and in-house letters to last year donors of $750+, Cantus alumni, and recurring donors (asking them to increase their monthly amount)
 
  • The staff has met and is working with Don Summers to complete two large grants due this January: MSAB General Operating and Target Foundation. Positive thoughts!
 
2017 Cantus Idol
  • May 8, 2017 at ARIA
  • Exciting new auction package donated by Jon Kietzer (special thanks to Zac Colby for cultivating this relationship): Yacht experience on Lake Minnetonka (exact details TBA)
  • HSR Music Director, Bryan Fisher, has agreed to give the speech before the Fund-a-Need
    • Little fact: Bryan was David Geist’s HS music director! A great tie to Cantus.
    • Working on getting a few HS students to attend/sing at the event
  • Three corporations have been approached about sponsoring a $5,000 table
  • Seeking new live auction ideas and suggestions for at least one $5,000 corporate sponsor (please supply potential leads)
 
2016-2017 Season
 
  • Christmas with Cantus
    • As of 12/16/16: 2920 tickets totaling $79,994 (89% to goal)
    • This time last year: 3114 tickets totaling $77,215 (105% to goal)
      • This years goal is our highest CWC goal yet with eight performances
    • GREAT PRESS
    • Dealing with some last minute contingency plans as there is a big snowstorm and extreme cold weather predicted for this weekend (Friday, Dec. 16-Sunday, Dec. 18). We have sent out an email reminder that the shows will STILL go on and that tickets are non refundable. We are working with a number of patrons to exchange their tickets for our performance in Apple Valley (Tuesday, Dec. 20) or Colonial (Wednesday, Dec. 21)
    • St. Thomas sold out!
    • Following locations sold/selling extremely well: MacPhail, Stillwater
    • Successful and smooth Live MPR broadcast yesterday - Thurs, Dec. 15 at 11am at MacPhail
 
  • America Will Be!
    • 514 tickets totaling $13,566 (39% to goal)
    • This time last year (Would You Harbor Me?): 492 tickets totaling $14,397 (39% to goal)
    • Cantus will be collaborating with the following community choirs: TCGMC, Prairie Fire Lady Choir, One Voice, and Calliope
    • The Artistic Council is working hard to create video interviews with individuals around the community to speak on civil rights and their experiences
    • Potential partnership/sponsorship with YWCA to provide funding for the video production
    • Heightened interest in this performance, we believe, due to this political year and interest in hearing how the ensemble will tackle the topic of civil rights through the lenses of race, gender, and sexual orientation
 
  • Covers
    • 426 tickets totaling $12,360 (22% to goal)
    • Hoping for excitement surrounding Sgt. Pepper’s 50th anniversary
    • The ensemble is currently working on new or reprised tunes to include in the performance
    • Talking with Electric Fetus about an short on-site performance to help promote the show
    • Conversation with Summit to discuss continued partnership/sponsorship
 
  • Our “Songs of Travel” Chamber Concert Series will run July 18-19 at the American Swedish Institute and The Museum of Russian Art. 7:00pm. Tickets will cost $20 and on sale in December.
    • The Germanic-Institute is no longer able to host us on July 20. We are seeking a new “travel-themed” venue in St. Paul. Suggestions? Please contact Carly.