Yes, it is fund drive time again. In fact, it is well past the usual time. Why is that? Two basic reasons: first, last year was the most successful year yet for the Dance Gypsy — we actually finished in the black for only the second time in last 6 years (and we thank all of you wonderful sponsors and supporters who made that possible). So we could wait just a little bit longer. But the biggest reason is that I hate fund drives — I have making them even more than you hate seeing them, I am sure. I am happy to be able to provide the services of the Dance Gypsy, but seriously: I hate — I mean really hate —coming around with my hat in my hand. Not only do I feel like a beggar— but the regular Dance Gypsy services get interrupted: dances do not get updated, errors do not get corrected, questions do not get answered, etc. etc. So this time, I try something new: my hope is to do just one big fund drive this year. It will be a little longer, timed differently (right in the middle of summer: the busy season!) and we offer some new options, but with luck there will only be one… and we can all enjoy our dancing, and not this incessant fundraising.
If you hate reading this as much as I hate creating it, just skip immediately to the support section and support us immediately:
If, on the other hand reading this is driving you crazy, but you do not want to help — you can scroll down to the bottom of the page for the link to the regular Dance Gypsy home page.
Bypassing the plea:
As soon as we receive and process your contribution, you will be able to bypass this plea. In the case of Paypal contributions, this is instant! In the case of snail mail, it will be after a human being opens and processes your contribution letter and sends you the bypass code.
Donation Options:
There is now an additional option for contributing: You can now use Paypal to make your contributions. This is good for those who do not want yet another online account. And of course you can still send it snail mail.
One catch:
Yes, I’m taking a chance … but then so are you. Here is the catch: if I don't get enough support, I'll be back with a new fund drive that much sooner. It’s your choice. Support the Dance Gypsy today and continue to find your dances easily, or don’t support us and put up with more fund drives (or if it is really bad, possibly miss all future listings for your favorite dances. [to take that chance : simply scroll down to the bottom of the page for the link to the regular Dance Gypsy home page.]
An observation: We need new supporters!
It is that simple: new supporters! Fully 2/3 of Dance Gypsy contributions come from repeat contributors. They may not have given in the most recent drive — but that had given previously. That is, the same few people keep supporting this service for the entire dance community. Neither I, nor you, can reasonably expect that same group individuals to carry the ball every time. Fewer than 1% of the people who use the Dance Gypsy actually contribute to its support — and yes, it is often the same people each time (as many as six times in some cases! — yes that means some people have contributed every single year since we started asking for donations!). There was a time when dancers had to pay to receive the Dance Gypsy — it could happen again. For the Dance Gypsy to continue in its present form, more individuals will have to step forward and help. Simple enough? Seriously, if every user gave something — even a very small contribution, say, the same amount they paid when the Dance Gypsy was a subscription–only service — this repeated worry of impending doom could be replaced by optimism and ongoing improvements. Now is the time for you join the ranks of the helpers. [Again: if reading this is driving you crazy, but you do not want to help — you can scroll down to the bottom of the page for the link to the regular home page.]
Forms of help:
The Dance Gypsy has both supporters and sponsors, plus people who pay for specific services. Support: donations from dancers like you form the backbone of the Dance Gypsy’s support. Sponsors are larger donors who contribute to help keep the service running for the benefit of others. Specific services benefit the purchaser of the service: advertising, email forwarding, special websites. Today’s plea is primarily for supporters and sponsors.
How to make your contribution:
You can make a contribution in several ways: using Paypal, old fashioned snail mail, or even a pledge to contribute later. Using PayPal has several advantages; they are: faster (the fund drive appeals are turned off for your computer!, so effective immediately you will bypass these fund drive pleas in the future), they require no checks, no envelope, and no stamps — besides you won’t forget. Both of these services allow you to pay with your credit card or other means. Both offer the advantage that you enter credit card information only once: any future use of the service needs no credit card. (Either way, you will be taken to a secure site to complete the process. You need provide no personal details to the Dance Gypsy beyond a name and email address.
Three easy ways to support or sponsor the Dance Gypsy! (and 3 ways to do each of those )
Become a Dance Gypsy supporter!
As noted above: the more people who support us, the smaller the average contribution needs to be. If you would like to help, but feel like you can’t send a big fat contribution. that’s fine; help with whatever you can.
(For those of you who, like me, never know exactly what is appropriate or common, I provide the following statistics: since the Dance Gypsy switched to voluntary contributions, the average individual donation was $31; but some gave donations as small as $5 (and, yes, those were gratefully received) and a few contributed over $100; donations from organizations and performers were less numerous but, on average, slightly larger.)
• You can simply send a check to:
The Dance Gypsy
2518 Sunset Lake Rd.
Dummerston, VT 05301 — (Note: if you include your email address, you avoid the next fund drive.)• Too busy right now?
Then simply Pledge (promise to pay later) with an Email. We will remind you periodically if you forget to follow it up with a check. Or you can even see me at a dance and make the arrangements in person. Or see the Supporters page for more info.
Be a Dance Gypsy Sponsor:
Sponsors are major supporters who contribute $100 or more. In addition to the special satisfaction of being a major helper, sponsors are entitled to a free display ad and to discounts on advertising. The majority of sponsors are dance organizations, bands or other dance–related groups. As with regular supporters, you may use PayPal or “snail mail”.
Other ways to help: Take advantage of Dance Gypsy services!
Need to get something more tangible for your money? The Dance Gypsy is dedicated to serving the dance community. Our primary function is providing information about upcoming events. But this focus also enables several other related —but distinct — services to the community:
Advertise: The Dance Gypsy is happy to list all events — even those that do not advertise! Publishing all the info helps both the Dance Gypsy and your own organization. But advertising your event or service provides greater visibility than a simple listing — while providing the Dance Gypsy with much needed revenue (and wouldn’t you really rather that revenue go to the Dance Gypsy than to the Corporate Advertising Weekly?) Visit the Dance Gypsy’s advertising page to see all that you can get for our current ridiculously inexpensive (as low as $10) rates.
Web pages: The Dance Gypsy offers ridiculously inexpensive web sites, customized to your organization’s needs with a continuously and automatically updated calendar, and
Email: The Dance Gypsy can provide spam–protected Email-forwarding for those frequent queries about your event. Helps avoid junk mail and smoothes the transition as your volunteers change.
Thanks again to all the dancers who help make the Dance Gypsy possible!
