This time last year we were gearing up for our 1st Annual 'Making A Difference' Award Benefit. It all came together pretty quickly once the decision was made to do it. The first step was finding a location that encapsulates the pathos of what Project Brownstone is about. Columbia University was a natural choice because it was there that I received my graduate degree in Fundraising Management. The program helped to make the concept of Project Brownstone a reality. Because our mission is in the area of education, it makes sense to hold it at this institution of higher learning.
At the time of our benefit, there was an onslaught of 'parties' using charities as a vehicle to draw people in. Everyone loves a good cause, and they surely love a good party! It was a win-win situation for many in the Harlem community. They were able to capitalize on this. However, we wanted to separate our efforts from this because we did not want to be perceived as a trend or a convenient partnership in the name of a party.
It was a conscious decision to hold it on the campus of Columbia University. We discussed potential locations in the area. None really measured up to the message we were trying to send to the public upon our debut. Where and how we began dictates where we'll go and end up. So, after not much deliberation, Faculty House at Columbia University was an easy choice.
This year we're embarking on our 2nd Annual 'Making A Difference' Award benefit. It will be held in the same location as last year for the same reasons stated above. When you find something that works and fits the mission of your organization, it's wise to stick with it and develop it further. Do not forget the people that attended and had a great time.
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