While nonprofits are known to play a major role in society as filling unmet needs in the community, contemporary nonprofits are hosting some pretty awesome events to help fund their missions.
In years past, we typically saw nonprofits looking at fundraising events in the form of galas, golf tournaments, phone-a-thon’s, etc.
However, many nonprofits are taking a rather avant-garde approach to diversifying their revenue and fundraising needed to support their mission.
Fall always proves to be social season when it comes to nonprofits and Fall 2018 proved to have some great philanthropic festivities.
Catrina Ball in San Antonio
San Antonio Public Library Foundation hosted its Second Annual Catrina Ball in the Central Library in San Antonio’s heart of downtown on October 27th.
This year celebrated the Aztec beginnings, present day traditions, and future inspirations of Día de Muertos and the Tricentennial of our beloved San Antonio.
The Catrina Ball, a moving fiesta within our landmark Central Library, included gourmet
Mexican street food, music, performances, libations, a community Altar to honor those souls that have passed, and a DiscGlowTeca Dance party around Chihuly’s Fiesta Tower sculpture.
Guests adorned themselves in dramatic Día de Muertos makeup, lush flower crowns, and Catrina or Catrín attire for the evening of festivities evoking the feel of an elegant street party.
The Catrina Ball supports the San Antonio Public Library Foundation and the Latino Collection and Resource Center (LCRC).
Austin City Limits Music Festival
ACL Music Festival is a Texas-sized festivals well-known for its eclectic music artists housed in Austin’s 33- acre Zilker Park. The fun is spanned over 3 days with 8 stages. The festival is in its 16th year of production and has aged like a fine Texas wine.
The festival has evolved over its 16 years into a two-weekend offering in October with lots of additions and technology incorporated from its charging stations to its towering digital selfie station. Another awesome upgrade is its regard to making this family-friendly. This year’s festival included an awesome interactive, kids-only area. Very cool for those with kiddos!
One aspect which has yet to change is staying true to offering great tunes for its fest-goers. ACL music veterans and alumni never disappoint the crowd, hosting iconic legends while also paying reverence to the unique culture of indie and upcoming bands.
This year’s festival brought music giant Paul McCartney as a main headliner. Other major artist included rapper Lil’ Wayne, 90’s metal band Metallica, eclectic country singer Elle King and many more.
While ACL Music Festival is most well-known for its kick-ass shows, many may not realize this event directly benefits Austin Parks and Recreation Foundation.
In 2017, when the last notes faded, and the stages were long since been dismantled, five Austin area parks received a collective $200,000 in grants through the Austin Parks Foundation’s Austin City Limits Music Festival Park Grants program.
The five parks – Gracywoods Park, McBeth Recreation Center, Parque Zaragoza, Shipe Park and Robert E. Lee Tributary at Zilker Park – will use the money to build an accessible walk and bike trail, restore a historic structure, improve ball fields and repair playscapes.
Indeed, a groovy way to give back!
Mala Luna Festival
Mala Luna Music Festival is hosted in San Antonio. In a city with such an incredibly unique culture and history, Mala Luna strives to curate the freshest sounds and experiences for the people of Texas & surrounding areas to enjoy.
Mala Luna Music Festival brings fans together for a truly unique two-day music festival and cultural experience that combines not just national headlining music performers, but celebrates our talented homegrown musicians, artists and merchants as well.
In an effort to give back and show appreciation to the surrounding San Antonio community, a portion of proceeds are donated to The Miracle League of San Antonio. The Miracle League of San Antonio is a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization that provides children with mental and/or physical challenges an opportunity to play baseball as a team member in an organized league, giving these children the opportunity to get out in the sunshine and enjoy playing the game of baseball in its purest form.
San Antonio Beer Festival
The San Antonio Food Bank is an excellent nonprofit constantly pushing the envelope of creativity to diversify its funding and has made a unique partnership with the San Antonio Beer Festival.
The San Antonio Beer Festival has been loved for more than a decade founded in 2005. It is San Antonio’s original beer fest, pouring 400+ premium and craft beers from 125+ breweries from around the world.
Fest goers bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the beautiful fall day at Dignowity and Lockwood Parks.
This festival is jam packed with unique casks, one of a kind collaborations, and your favorite porters, stouts, pilsners, ales, wheats, sours, Belgians, ciders, and lagers to name a few.
Beyond beer, the San Antonio Beer Festival features music, games, wines, ciders, food trucks, food booths, local vendors and more.
This Fall a portion of the proceeds benefited San Antonio Food Bank.
