EvEnt SolutionS

By Julie Kendrick

Helping colleagues
In need

orking in the events industry can mean making a career of

expecting the unexpected. Crazy weather, unanticipated guests,
unreliable suppliersprofessionals in our business have
learned to prepare for anything and tackle tricky situations
with grace. But sometimes life delivers unpleasant surprises that just cant be
planned for or handled easily. Faced with natural disasters, accidents, or health
emergencies, many industry professionals find that they are quickly running
through cash reserves and facing uncomfortable options that put them on the
brink of losing their livelihoods. We celebrate and hold parties for a living,
so people in our industry sometimes think, How bad could it be? says Kelly
White, SEARCH Foundation chairwoman. We know that even one medical
emergency or weather-related incident can totally make or break a small
business. And being out of work for sickness or injury is a disaster for those
who are living paycheck-to-paycheck. Thats why were here to help whenever
and wherever we can.

SomE of thE board and Staff of thE

SEarch foundation. (lEft to right):
JErry hEllman, afr EvEnt furniShingS;
larry grEEn, rEntalS unlimitEd; danny
bErgold, about EntErtainmEnt; rick
turnEr, colortonE Staging & rEntalS;
Joann roth-oSEary, SomEonES in thE
kitchEn; corinnE Z. dudinE, SEarch
ExEcutivE adminiStrator; kElly WhitE,
fairE la fEtE EvEntS and SEarch
foundation chairWoman; and kim
romano, PEnton mEdia.

Photo: Steph Grant

A health crisis or natural

disaster can be devastating
to professionals in the events
industry. For nearly 20 years,
the SEARCH Foundation has
offered a helping hand to
peers in crisis

By events professionals, for events professionals

As the only nonprofit that directly funds events professionalsand that
includes any event industry professional: caterers, lighting pros, design pros,
florists, linen suppliers, and moreSEARCH Foundation was founded nearly
20 years ago to offer financial assistance during crisis. Relying on donations
from individuals and corporations, the SEARCH Foundation grants as much
as $5,000 in emergency funds to individuals who live anywhere in the world,
and who work in any capacity in the events industry. Those who receive grants
are not required to be a member of any professional organization.
White is passionate about the significant impact the organization has made
50

kElly WhitE, SEarch foundation chairWoman

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EvEntS (continuEd)

our hope is that eventually well

have a full endowment, which will
ensure our existence for the future.
on many colleagues lives. Everyone
who serves on our all-volunteer
board of directors is aware of the
many challenges that can beset event
professionals. Were all experienced in
the industry, she says. We support
this organization as a way to give
back to an industry thats been so
good to us. If you earn your living in
special events, and you need financial
help because of a crisis, please apply.

Simple, online
application
The four-page grant application,
which can be found on the
www.searchfoundation.org website,
asks for basic information about
the crisis that has occurred, how its
affecting business and personal life,
current resources such as insurance,
and long-term plans. Applicants
are asked to provide supporting
documentation, such as images of
property damage or copies of medical
bills. Many of our applicants are not
insured or are underinsured, White
says. That can really be a gamechanger in escalating a crisis.
The process is simple and
confidential. Pride can be a
stumbling block for many people,
so I really want to stress that all
application information is kept
completely anonymous, White
says. The only person who sees
applicant names is our foundation
administrator, and she blacks out
all identifying information before
anyone on the board ever sees the
52

application. Committee members

read each application and then
complete evaluation sheets. Based
on the evidence presented and the
completeness of the application,
an average score of 1 to 100 is
determined, White explains. That
final score is the percentage of the
$5,000 maximum the applicant will
receive. The funds are available
throughout the year, and applicants
may reapply annually.

Should you apply?

I want to urge those who are in
need to contact us, White says.
The foundation has also made
accommodation for those in a crisis
situation who might not have the
resources to complete an application.
If youre dealing with the aftermath
of a natural disaster, for example, you
dont have time to sit at the computer
and complete an application, she
says.Thats why we allow someone
else to apply for a person in need.
And if you know someone in trouble
who isnt reaching out, ask if you can
apply on their behalf. It might make a
big difference in their lives.

Putting the fun in

fundraising
SEARCH Foundation plays an active
role at many industry gatherings,
conducting fun events that generate
donations and raise awareness of its
mission. In addition, many industry
professionals who are asked to speak

at conferences will donate their

engagement fees and stipends directly
to the foundation. We try to keep
our overhead very low, so the more
money we bring in, the more we can
give away, White says. Our hope
is that eventually well have a full
endowment, which will ensure our
existence for the future. Right now,
thats still a goal to be achieved, so
every little bit helps.
Their biggest fundraiser happens
annually in January. This year, we
brought back the format known as
Cabaret, which was a fun chance
for folks to submit their acts for
approval and perform on the main
stage, White says.Our event chair,
Danny Bergold, really outdid himself,
and the event raised nearly $40,000,
White says.

Interested in helping?
The 14-member, all-volunteer
board of directors serves two-year
terms, with elections held every
year. Anyone who makes a living
in the events industry is welcome
to get involved, White says. If
youre dedicated to giving back to
our industry with your time and
effort, we encourage you to consider
volunteering. We would love to
develop strong relationships with
every event association, so those who
need help know about us.
For more information, or to view a
video of award recipients talking
about the impact of a SEARCH
Foundation grant, go to
www.searchfoundation.org.

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