events that donors
and your DEVO TEAM love

 

Events are an excellent way to build your pipeline, introduce donors to the organization, and make a splash. We have experience planning all different kinds of non-profit events, from big, formal gala fundraisers to live performances to casual happy hour “friendraisers". You name a kind of event, we’ve planned it. And we’ve done them with an impeccable eye towards donor experience, smooth logistics, and the bottom line.

Here’s a select list of some of our past events and clients:

Montana Racial Equity Project, Bozeman and Missoula, MT

  • The Janes Screenings and Panel Discussions, 2023

    Conceived, planned, and executed two sold-out screenings of The Janes documentary with panel discussions featuring original members of the Jane Collective from the 1970s, coinciding with the anniversary of the passage of Roe V. Wade. Collaborated with local nonprofits (BridgerCare, Montana Human Rights Project, Forward Montana, and Blue Mountain Clinic) to help promote the events and bring a holistic look at issues around abortion rights and bodily autonomy in Montana.

The Chicago Reader, Chicago, IL

  • 50ish Anniversary Gala, 2022
    Conceived and planned a 1000-person fiftieth-anniversary celebration at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Included a 150-person VIP reception hosted by Christie Heffner and celebrating Publisher Tracy Baim and more than a dozen site-specific performance art, theater, dance, and musical performances throughout the museum all night. Tickets and packages ranged from $10 - $25,000 and made more than 100K for the Reader’s parent organization.

The Chicago Academy for the Arts, Chicago, IL

  • Academy Night Live, 2021
    Planned a two hour broadcast live from the Academy with a sixteen camera shoot, and performances and live art activities from six departments. Raised $400K from this virtual event.

Cherry Pre-School

  • Two Cherry Jam Gala events

  • The 25th Anniversary event at the Crystal Ballroom

Abortion Action Force, Brooklyn, NY

  • Chicago performance of Do Re #MeToo at Metro in Chicago

  • Weeklong Garbage Fire Festival in Milwaukee

  • Abobo-A-Go-Go! Pride Cabaret, Club Cumming, Lower East Side, New York City

  • House Parties in Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, and Chicago

Trisha Brown Dance Company, New York, NY

  • TBDC Annual Gala at NeueHouse

  • Trisha Brown Memorial at the Whitney

Active Transportation Alliance, Chicago, IL

  • MB Financial Bank’s Bike the Drive
    Served as the main solicitor for corporate sponsorship for Bike the Drive. Doubled sponsorship income over any previous year. Created a special VIP camping lounge for VIPs with REI.

  • Summer Bike Commuter Challenge Wrap Party, Whole Foods Rooftop
    Brought sponsors Whole Foods, REI, and Uber back to ATA for a bike commuter challenge rooftop party

  • Winter Bike Commuter Challenge receptions
    Coordinated a series of “Commuter Happy Hours” to connect with companies and bikers competing in the Winter Bike Challenge

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

  • 35th Anniversary Spotlight Gala, The Harris Theatre and Fairmont Chicago
    Featuring a preview of One Thousand Pieces by Alejandro Cerrudo and honoring former Mayor Rahm Emmanuel

  • Annual Spotlight Gala, Fairmont Chicago
    Honoring Mikhail Baryshnikov

  • Two Bold Moves for Bold Women, Baker McKenzie Law Offices
    Annual celebration of women in the arts

  • Two Tastes, wine tasting events at Trio and Everest

Howard Brown Health Center

  • Lifeline Gala, Palmer House Hilton
    Honoring Chaz Bono and celebrating the end of the Lifeline Campaign, which raised $1,000,000 over six months to help keep Howard Brown Health Center open

  • Garden of Eve (lesbian gala), Carnival
    The Midwest’s largest lesbian gala

  • L.A.F.F. (Lesbians are Freakin’ Funny) Comedy Show, Mary’s Attic

  • The Breast Show Ever! burlesque show and breast cancer education event for queer women and transpeople with Bright Pink: Subterranean, Uncommon Ground Edgewater, Mary’s Attic

Community Renewal Society, Chicago, IL

  • 125th Anniversary Luncheon, Chicago, IL

  • Annual Gala, Chicago Cultural Center

  • 35 Under 35 Awards, DePaul Center

Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, IL

  • Mayfest/Manifest: Twice served as the point person and main planner for Columbia College Chicago’s urban arts festival with two stages in Grant Park featuring rock and students bands, a puppet parade, a site-specific performance art festival, six art shows and gallery openings, and industry meet and greets in each department.

  • Aaron Williamson Residency
    Coordinated two week in-person residency with deaf performance artist Aaron Williamson

  • Monthly Gallery Shows & Student Events

The Neo-Futurists, Chicago, IL

  • 2 WXRT shows: 30 Bands in 60 Minutes at Metro Chicago

  • Squirrels on Parole! (Our Response to All Those Darned Cows!), The Neo-Futurarium

  • Wrecking Ball Gala, The Neo-Futurarium

Lesbian Community Cancer Project

  • Coming Out Against Cancer (the Midwest’s largest lesbian gala),
    South Shore Cultural Center

  • Cruising because we Care, Jazz Brunch Cruise, The Odyssey, Navy Pier

Ladyfest Midwest Chicago

Lesbian Theater Initiative, Bailiwick Theater

  • Winter and Spring All-Girl Revues

  • Monthlong Lesbian Theater Festival

Freelance and Board Service

  • Brooklyn Community Pride Center

    Coordinated all events for Brooklyn Pride: Included the organization’s participation in the Brooklyn Pride Parade, a post-parade party at CityPoint in downtown Brooklyn, the organization’s annual gala, and an informational booth at the Fifth Avenue Pride Fair.

  • Links Hall’s THAW! A Hot Ballyhoo, Salvage One

    Served as Co-Chair for THAW, planning more than 25 performances by local performances and dance artists

  • Beyondmedia Annual Fundraiser & Auction, SPACE Evanston

  • Chicago Abortion Fund, 25th Anniversary Gala, Marshall Fields/Macy’s Narcissus Room

    Served as event planner for the event

  • Bridge Art Fair, The Terminal Building, New York City

    Was a part of the team that launched Bridge’s first annual New York City Art Fair. Planned opening celebration, an homage to “Club Kids” and featuring guests drag queen/club kid Amanda Lepore and Village Voice gossip columnist Michael Musto. Coordinated PR & Marketing efforts.

Girlie-Q Burlesque & Dyke Mic

  • Curated & produced hundreds of live performances throughout Chicago and the Midwest at Mary’s Attic, HotHouse, Joie de Vine, Exit Chicago, Center on Halsted, Star Gaze, and Tweet/Big Chicks and many more