Capitol Theatre Gala 2019

A singer belts out a note on stage at the Capitol Theatre Gala. A small band, including a trumpet player and drummer, stand behind her.

Friend-Raisers, Fun-Raisers, Fund-Raisers

How to Expand the Capacity of Your Non-Profit Organization by Hiring a Professional Event Planner

Our mission for this nonprofit event was simple – support the staff of the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization (DSCDO) by taking time-intensive tasks off their “to do” list.

The team of DSCDO had successfully organized their bi-annual Capitol Theatre Gala in previous years, but in 2018/2019 they were facing a reduced staff size and knew it would be a challenge to pull it all together on top of their day-to-day organizational work.

While we made some small event design improvements and implemented new efficiencies, the highest value we brought to the table was time. We took care of all the event planning minutiae, so that they could focus on important things like fundraising and sponsorship development. And because we handled on-site, day-of event logistics, our clients were able to attend their own event, not just enjoying it, but spending time with donors and showing appreciation for their support.

The event included a VIP reception, silent auction, a live band featuring Lounge Kittie, and a screening of the classic film Double Indemnity.

CLIENT
Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization
VENUE
Capitol Theatre
Gordon Square Arcade
DATE
May 3, 2019
PHOTOGRAPHY
Scott Esterly Photography

EVENT DETAILS

CLIENT

Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization

VENUE

Capitol Theatre
Gordon Square Arcade

DATE

May 3, 2019

PHOTOGRAPHY

Scott Esterly Photography

About the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Corporation

The Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization (DSCDO) is a non-profit 501(c)3 community development corporation, founded in 1973 to catalyze development in Cleveland’s Detroit Shoreway neighborhood.

Offering a variety of services to over 53,000 area residents, the DSCDO works towards its vision of being a “catalyst for community building, creating a diverse, sustainable, and desirable neighborhood in which to live, work, play, dine, shop, and worship.”

As a part of this work, the DSCDO purchased the Gordon Arcade building, home to the Capitol Theatre, in 1978 to save it from city demolition after the crowning parapet crumbled and fell onto W65th St., crushing the theatre’s marquis.

The DSCDO led the drive to acquire the funding needed to repair the historic building, and the Capitol Theatre was reopened in 2009 as a modern 3 screen movie theatre.

The 10 year anniversary gala of the theatre’s reopening was PES’s first event with the DSCDO.