MEMPHIS, TENN.- Generating revenue in today’s challenging economy requires innovative approaches to attract the attention of donors. Non-profits like the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, and most businesses for that matter, are digging deep into creative pockets to develop exciting new fundraising programs.

"We realize how important our current donors are to the Museum," said Director of Development, Debbie Litch. "We also know that in today’s economy, we need to expand our resources to people outside of our current resource circle. We have developed some creative ways to do just that."

This quarter the Brooks presents a campaign called Take a Seat, a unique funding package that raises money to renovate the Brushmark Restaurant as well as raise annual funding for the Museum’s dynamic educational and exhibition programs. "We centered the campaign around the Brushmark because of its importance to the Museum’s bottom line," said Litch. "The Brushmark and catering sales account for 14 percent of the overall Museum revenue. Making improvements to this significant producer, in the end, benefits the Museum and the many children and adults we touch every day."

"Take a Seat creatively alludes to several ideas," said Litch. "We used chairs in the restaurant as a focal point for the graphics of the campaign because we desperately need funding to replace them! Secondly, ’take a seat’ more literally means, take a moment to make a difference and take a seat as a new friend of the Museum." As copy on the direct mail piece reads, ’Take your place among applauded patrons. With eternal gratitude, take a bow.’

For $1000, donors receive an exclusive engraved nameplate on a plaque designed by Stephen Crump that will be displayed in the Brushmark Restaurant. For $500 a participant’s name will be placed on a nameplate with another $500 donor. All donations are tax-deductible and include other exciting benefits, including tickets to the unveiling of the design of the restaurant in January.

"To increase participation in the campaign, we are also accepting smaller donations from $2 to $50," said Litch. "This allows people to participate at much lower levels by adding a small amount to their lunch bill."

"In addition to supporting operating expenses of the Museum, the true recipients of all fundraising efforts are the children and adults of the community that share the vast array of experiences that art can offer," said Director, Kaywin Feldman. Most Memphians are not aware that the Museum serves almost 30,000 school children, 70% of which are underserved. Nor do they know that children’s tours are free and include hands-on art activities. "We are grateful to our donors," adds Feldman. "It is because of their support that the Brooks in turn lends a hand to partner with community organizations." These important collaborations include the Literacy Council, the Boys & Girls Clubs, Girls Inc of Memphis, and Safe Place.

Given the design focus of Take a Seat, it is a perfect tie in with the upcoming exhibition US DESIGN, 1975-2000 opening at the Brooks on December 7, 2003. From teapots to toys, posters to blueprints, garbage cans to Web sites, US DESIGN, 1975-2000 is an exhibition that presents many of the major theoretical and cultural issues that shaped the design arts during the last quarter century and documents the accomplishments of three generations of seminal American designers.

Brooks’ development team has created a number of creative fundraisers throughout the years, some of which have become annual events. For example, The Art of Good Taste: A Season of Wine, Art & Lifestyle is a series of wine, art, and lifestyle auctions with numerous ancillary events that has become one of the area’s most popular annual benefits, as well as a nationally recognized series of wine auctions, attracting hundreds of culinary and wine enthusiasts from around the world. An annual April affair, The Art of Good Taste is one of the Museum’s largest fundraising efforts.

The Museum’s oldest support group, the Brooks Museum League, has raised significant money for the Brooks for years. This year, as part of celebration of 70 years of service to the Brooks, the League has created two fundraising opportunities.

’Treasures from the Attic,’ a fabulous holiday shopping spree of wonderful antiques, collectibles, vintage items, and gifts, sponsored by Regency Travel will take place from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., November 12-18, 2003 at Regency Travel, 397 Perkins Road Extended in Laurelwood Shopping Center. To launch this holiday fundraiser, the League is hosting a ’First Chance Wine and Cheese Party’ from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12 at Regency Travel for people who want to get a head start on holiday shopping.

The League’s Gala Celebration, which will directly benefit the Brooks, will take place from 7-12 p.m., on November 20 at the Brooks. Tickets include a cocktail buffet, music by Joyce Cobb, as well as live and silent auctions. The live auction, entitled ’the art of the box,’ will include unique art pieces designed by 25 of the most talented artists of the region. Admission is $75 per person.