Nonprofit Fundraiser and Awards Washington DC

Brief: For its annual gala, this Virginia-based international youth development non-profit hosted silent and live auctions to raise funds to support its mission and to present its Sizanani Award to Dr. Anthony Fauci for his work in HIV/AIDS. Event Accomplished was delighted to assist the organization for a second year.

Concept: With its primary programs held in South Africa, the organization wanted to bring its mission and work closer to the gala’s supporters and attendees in Washington, DC. To achieve this objective while maximizing our event budget, we were intentional about our design choices and opportunities. Here are some examples:

• One of the activites that the camps do while attending the organization’s youth camps is designing splatter-painted hats. Some of these hats served as our centerpieces, along with a photo of the camper who designed it.
• The Master Singers of Virginia performed several South African songs, one of which was performed at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration.
• Catering servers wore South African-design vests
• Campers shared their experiences with the gala attendees via videos filmed while at camp
• Lubanzi Wines, a South African producer, sponsored the cocktail reception wines.
• For background music, we played South African musicians and musical groups.
• Unique South African crafts served as decor but were also for sale to generate additional funds

Scope: Event Accomplished developed pre-event communications with attendees, managed on-site registration, volunteer coordination, graphic design and printing, vendor sourcing and coordation, and on-site event management.