Board Member Chris Wallner will hopefully forgive me for swiping his (Sonoma Country Life Sponsor) Petaluma Educational Foundation group e-mail comment on the incredible news that Saturday's BASH raised the roof in topping last year's net raised and exceeding all expectations for this cash-strapped auction season:
"The net revenue record clearly confirms that the PEF BASH leaders have developed their own special brand of magic on how to fund raise in a deep recession. What's next, BASH stimulus advisers to the White House?!" quipped Chris. Now, that's the spirit!
Photos below are thanks to the terrific album of photographer Peter Leabo.
Net revenues for Saturday’s 2009 PEF gala BASH exceeded goals for raising funds for much-needed classroom grants to Petaluma schools, and remarkably surpassed the success of the 2008 Bash - with a net revenue of $225,000.
“We exceeded our 2009 fundraising expectations by 16% and, to our delight, preliminary results show that we raised net revenues of $15,000 more than last year,” said an enthusiastic Janet Ramatici, Executive Director of PEF. “One year ago, the Dow Jones posted well over 11,000, the unemployment rate a little over 6% and Lehman Brothers was still four days away from declaring bankruptcy. To raise more for our schools this year is an impressive accomplishment, made possible by cutting expenses almost $20,000 and through substantial growth in ‘Fund the Future’ pledges, corporate sponsorships, silent auction revenues, and advertising sales for the BASH brochure.”
The 27-year-old non-profit foundation remains unique in the state of California. Over 1,359 PEF grants totaling more than $1, 465, 274 have been awarded to teachers throughout Petaluma’s 33 schools since 1992. 100% of the Bash’s “Fund the Future” pledges will fund Enrichment and Major Impact Grants for Petaluma area schools.
“Having taken into careful consideration the fact that this year the country has been in the worse recession since the Great Depression, the board and staff of PEF had anticipated up to a 20% drop in income from last year’s event,” said Ramatici, “so our Bash Co-Chairs, Cathy Bachman and Carol Libarle, reigned in expenses and doubled efforts to underwrite Bash costs.”
Corporate sponsors almost doubled from last year with Exchange Bank and Clover Stornetta stepping up as the Event Sponsors, Andrea and John Barella, Basin Street Properties, Guido Enterprises, Lace House Linen and Petaluma Market providing Major Sponsorship and 15 additional Sonoma County-based businesses significantly contributing as ‘Friends of the Bash’.
Donation of the 30,000 square foot space overlooking Shollenberger Park by RNM Properties plus live music, lights, stage and sound provided at no charge by Moonalice set the stage for the auction’s ‘Fund the Future’ challenge, demonstrating just how far the community had come together to support its city’s schools.
“Petaluma’s business community led off the ‘Fund the Future’ program with $5,000 commitments from the Petaluma Chapter of Realtors, Clover Stornetta and TRAXX Bar & Grill,” said Libarle. “The kids have never needed our help more and everyone truly came together to make a difference.” Bash guests demonstrated their commitment to education as one hundred and fifteen additional donors raised their paddle to pledge financial support, totaling $87,000.
Indicative of the current value-for-money climate the BASH Silent Auction alone made over $25,000 - 41% more than projected and $3,000 more than last year.
Not only does the PEF Board of Directors work tirelessly to put on The Bash each year, this year the PEF Board, Emeritus Board and staff stepped into a leadership role by pledging their own $40,000 dedication and support for citywide schools, with a 100% participation in “Funding the Future.”
“What a wonderful showing of support for education from our Petaluma Community,” said Petaluma School District Superintendent Greta Viguie. “We here in the schools are sincerely grateful for everything PEF does to support our students and schools.”
Echoed Diane Zimmerman, Superintendent of Old Adobe Union Schools District, “Thank you to those who have worked for months getting the Bash set up--for a fabulous evening and such an upbeat event! We are so lucky to have PEF.”
To learn more about the foundation’s newly redesigned funding model, to contribute to Fund the Future of our schools or to find out about the PEF grant application process contact PEF at 707 778 4632 or online at www.pefinfo.com.
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