Many large businesses in Adelaide have their national offices in other capital cities, so competition for sponsorship is particularly strong and Feast Festival has to be creative in finding funding sources.
Feast initiated Feast 500 in 2005 as a vital income generation activity which forms part of a diversity of funding sources tapped by the festival. The festival already raised cash and in-kind support from government and private sources, but wanted to balance this with more private giving.
In 2006, Feast brainstormed a list of likely donors and sent them invitations to the Feast 500 launch. More than 80 people attended, of whom 32 made tax-deductible donations worth $12,000.
Income generated by Feast 500 ranges between $12,000 and $17,000 per year. The number of donors has fluctuated around 40 from 2007 to 2009. Feast 500 is a genuine community fundraising effort. Events for donors are supported by cafes and venues which provide free or cost-price venues, food and drink. Guest speakers waive fees, so fundraising expenses are kept to a minimum.
Members of Feast 500 are invited to bi-monthly gatherings at supportive business premises, where they receive updates on the festival. Many members have formed valuable business and personal connections through these events. Most of Feast’s board members and staff attend – half of them as signed-up Feast 500 members.
Feast 500 aims for donations of $500 and over, however due to economic realities, amounts of $150 and over have been included in the scheme.
Individual artists have also benefited from the connections with Feast 500. Two members of the board are young performing artists who have spoken about their work at Feast 500 gatherings. One of them had the opportunity to screen his award-winning short film. These opportunities have led to positive connections for artists and members and friends attending their shows at the 2010 Adelaide Fringe.
Feast 500 is successful as a giving program and as a community and audience development activity.
Feast was state winner of the AbaF Giving Award at the 2010 AbaF Awards in South Australia.
Image: Feast opening night party: Dolly Diamond (Michael Dalton) and Auntie Muriel. Photo: Carolyne Reisinge