Testimonials

Concordia Academy

"I have nothing but good things to say about our performance tour, the people we worked with and, of course, Gateway!"

Keith Esala, Band Director
Minnesota

» more testimonials

Featured Destinations

TOURNAMENT OF ROSES

When the invitation arrives, make Gateway YOUR second call!
We're ready to help make the most of your trip to the Rose Bowl.

INTERNATIONAL BOWL GAMES

Bowl Games in foreign countries generate the same enthusiastic crowds as in the U.S. For many, the only ingredient missing to complete this "American football experience" has been American bands.

» more destinations

Fundraising Ideas

Every group has to fundraise. Every group has their tactics. Here are just a few ideas, if you have more worth sharing, please send them our way!

Featured Fundraiser
“Bandwiches” Lindbergh Bands, St. Louis, MO

We decided some fundraisers are worth sharing. The “Bandwiches” fundraiser caught our eye this spring, and we had a chance to chat with band parent and chairperson, Gary Borkowski about it.

Once a month, band students take orders for 18” sub sandwiches from anyone and everyone. The “bandwiches” are all made and delivered Saturday morning, but not before a lot of work is involved! Band parents order supplies (including locally baked bread) on Monday, receive all the fixings on Friday and the bandwich assembly begins in the school kitchen. The next day, a bread crew arrives at 4:00am, and the assembly lines are busy slicing & packaging. Anyone who sells has to show up. Imagine the camaraderie building. “We try to make it as fun as possible, because it may be 6:00am, but it’s 6:00am for all of us. We’re in it together,” says Borkowski. By mid-morning, the bandwiches are ready for delivery. Each student delivers what he/she sold.

The band charges $6.00 per sandwich and while exact profits vary from month to month based on cost of supplies, students are given 90% of the profits to their personal band accounts to help pay for band fees, uniform cleaning, band trips, etc. Record sales for an individual student have been as high as 80-100 bandwiches. Typically the band sells, makes and delivers between 1,000 – 2,500 sandwiches in one Saturday.

To learn more about the Lindbergh Bands, visit: www.spiritstlband.org

Test Drive this Fundraising Idea...

A program in Minnesota hit up local car dealerships this summer for a mutually beneficial fundraiser. Community members were invited to test drive vehicles and in exchange the dealership donated $20 for every test drive taken during the weekend. The group earned $6,000.00! Talk about a win-win!

If you have a unique fundraiser idea, we’d love to hear about it.

More FUNdraising Ideas

Events: Try unique events like a destination theme dinner, a rummage sale, benefit concert, golf tournament, silent auctions with donations from individuals or businesses around town.
BINGO: Everyone loves BINGO, all ages can participate! Play for monetary or donated prizes, but be sure to check with local officials on rules for playing.
Creative Services: Charge $10 to put a flock of flamingos or a gaggle of geese (the plastic yard ones) in a lawn for a joke. People love a harmless gag for birthdays and special events. You’ll be surprised at the success of this idea!
Memorabilia: It’s easy to have commemorative items made (bottles of wine, t-shirts or golf balls for example) with your school, group name, project and year. Sell them at your concerts, games and events.
Raffles: Organize a simple raffle for prizes such as solicited donations or prizes provided by the students. Offer services such as free car washes, raking or mowing lawns, a winter of snow shoveling, etc. Raffling performances by your own chamber ensembles for private events is a great prize and allows students to utilize their musical skills.
Mowing/snow plow drive: Set a day each week in summer to offer mowing to locals, or get up on that snow day to offer up shoveling services.
Roll up your sleeves: Local businesses often allow volunteers to help for voluntary donations.
For Sale: Countless companies offer excellent (and usually delicious) products aimed at student fundraising. Sell cheesecakes, steaks, pizzas or candy to profit individual students or the group as a whole.

Need more information?

Contact Gateway now! (800) 331-8579 | gmf@musicfestivals.com

Our Newsletter