By Cheryl Jackson

The “Fundraising Committee” of the Board is focused on following certain strategic directions that were recently set forth in SW’s annual Strategic Plan. For our part, nurturing and growing “meaningful funding relationships” means ongoing work in building and sustaining relationships with supporters and partners, continuing to set and track annual fundraising goals, and diversifying resources to include enhanced corporate support and individual gifts.

More specifically, this means that the Fundraising Committee meets approximately once per month to strategize and plan certain well-established, annual fundraising events, such as the “Peepshow,” “Dysfunctional Holiday Party” and the bi-annual “Bowl-a-Thon.” Additionally, we assist the SW staff with other important fundraising efforts such as the annual appeal and membership growth. Gaining new corporate and business support for SW is more necessary than ever before as a vital part of our total fundraising strategy and one where we are working hard to think creatively and educate ourselves with the goal of forging new connections and partnerships within the corporate community.

Finally, it must be said that while staying true to our mission and goals is central, we all agree that having fun, meeting artists, and making new friends at Squeaky Wheel, whether it’s at a workshop, screening, or party, is vital to our success. And we believe that all of our fundraising events should be also be “friend-raisers,” where everyone feels truly welcome, excited, and part of one of the greatest media arts centers in the world!

Cheryl Jackson is K-8 art teacher at the Bennett Park Montessori Center of the Buffalo Public Schools, former director of Squeaky Wheel and current Vice President of the Board of Squeaky Wheel.