Tales From the Chair: Andrew Freeman & Beth Schnitzer

Annual Gala to help raise money for the Dress for Success organization.

Date of Event: June 10, 2010

Name of Organization: Dress for Success

Chair Name: Andrew Freeman and Beth Schnitzer

Andrew Freeman: Dress for Success promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing stylish professional attire, a network of support, and career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Dress for Success Worldwide has assisted over 550,000 women since 1997 with 106 affiliates in nine countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Mexico, Australia, the West Indies, and Poland. In nearly five years, Dress for Success San Francisco has assisted 1,100 Bay Area women to date.

Vivanista: What is it about the organization that made you willing to take on the role as event Chair?

Andrew Freeman: I’ve been passionate about the organization for ten years. I believe in what they do and I’ve seen their great work put women into great careers. I first heard about the organization through my relationship with Kimpton and my mentor Nikki Leondakis is the national board chair.

Beth Schnitzer: This is my 3rd year in a row serving as co-chair and enjoy it more each and every year. I love the organization and dedicating my energies to promote the event and to raise funds. I am also able to engage PIER 39 and Spritz Marketing clients and partners to support the event.

What will be special about the event? If this is an annual event, what will be new elements added to this year’s event?

Andrew Freeman: There are always new elements added each year but I think a fun element that is being added is having children in the fashion show. We are also having more people attend this year and shooting for bigger and better auction items

What constitutes success for you with regards to the specific event you’re chairing?

Andrew Freeman: A sell-out crowd, meeting our fundraising goal and most importantly that everyone has an amazing time for the amazing cause.

Beth Schnitzer: Success is when we sell out and also gain new supporters of the organization who become permanent DFS Fans. Success is also defined by the awareness we create through media coverage and our viral campaign.

How do you balance the quantifiable goal of raising money with the goal of broadening goodwill?

Andrew Freeman: I think they go hand in hand. Raising money allows you to do the goodwill. Without the money it’s hard to fulfill the mission of the charity. Raising funds really is the goodwill — it lets us do our job.

Beth Schnitzer: Raising awareness is a big component of our overall goal which results in word of mouth marketing and viral marketing creating more supporters and more funds for the organization.

What plans have you made to address problems that may arise?

Andrew Freeman: The board of directors works really closely together. We all plan on being there to act as hosts and troubleshoot if anything does come up.

Beth Schnitzer: We have an experienced, talented event committee and army of on-site volunteers who are great at troubleshooting on-site. We also have learned from previous events what works and how we must always plan for the unexpected and be prepared.

Are there any pre-event parties for benefactors?

Andrew Freeman: We’ve had a couple of in-store fashion events and a wine dinner. They have been fundraising events but we use them to promote the big gala.

What background do you have to take on the role as Chair?

Andrew Freeman: I’ve been in the public light through my business for the last 10 years. I’ve been very involved in the charity in San Francisco and understand its mission. I’m also in PR and Marketing, which gives me the ability to help plan the event and then promote it.

Beth Schnitzer: I serve on several non-profit boards (Richmond Ermet Aids Foundation-REAF, Women In Sports and Events-WISE,) and committees with The Red Cross, American Heart Association, Dress for Success Advisory Council, and have chaired many fundraising galas. All of my non-profit work includes events throughout the year which I am integrally involved with in various capacities. My role as VP of Strategic Alliances at PIER 39 has also provided me experiences overseeing events from 20 people to 1200 at our Annual PIER 39 Fleet Week VIP Party. I also attend many gala benefits where I pick up new tips that can be integrated into events I am associated with directly.

What will be the most compelling event element?

Andrew Freeman: Definitely the fashion show. The fashion show is highlighting Banana Republic and the designer Christopher Collins. It will be showcasing women through their different careers and phases of life. The silent and live auction is always really fun. But, the most important thing is when the client speaks about what the charity has done for them. It’s always the highlight of the event.

Beth Schnitzer: I find the most compelling part of our event when a Dress for Success client speaks about how Dress for Success has impacted her life and in many ways “saved” her life. It is always emotional; touching and moving so many of our guests when they listen firsthand to their stories. I also find it the most fulfilling for me to see the results of our collective efforts in this genuine, human way of sharing.

What are you wearing to the event?

Andrew Freeman: I’ll be in a suit for success.

Beth Schnitzer: Colorful cocktail dress with my favorite shoes and Spritz jewelry.

What is your fundraising motto?

Andrew Freeman: Give ‘till it hurts.

Beth Schnitzer: Being passionate and truly caring is contagious. People love people who care.

What qualities make an event Chair successful?

Andrew Freeman: I think knowing a lot of people, being out and about, not being fearful of promoting the event, being a gracious host and definitely the gift of gab. Truly, being passionate about the mission of the charity is the most important quality.

Beth Schnitzer: Deep and broad connections to secure the resources to offset costs of the event and the connections to assemble the best event committee possible. It is essential to have contacts in sponsorship, event-related companies, the media, and philanthropic/community-minded companies who can donate money/auction items. These connections drive the event and its success. It is also important to have a significant database to promote the event and the organization.

What external resources do you use in your fundraising efforts (i.e. websites, mentors, etc.)?

Andrew Freeman: Monthly newsletter, facebook, twitter, online newsletters, company newsletter, word of mouth, PR (press release about the event), mailing invitations and just about any way people can hear about the event.

What was the best charity event you’ve ever attended and why?

Andrew Freeman: Call me partial but I think that the last four years of DFS galas have all been terrific. We learn and grow each year. There’s such passion for what we do. Seeing our clients in action and hearing their stories reconfirms why I’m involved.

What is one fundraising tip you’ve learned that you’re willing to share?

Andrew Freeman: Don’t assume that anyone has gotten anything. Follow up follow up follow up. Just like sales put it out there until you hook them.

Beth Schnitzer: I use my own personal connections and Spritz Marketing clients/colleagues to engage and support me and my non-profit involvement.

What faded tradition do you wish would be resurrected?

Andrew Freeman: Going back to regular mail and getting glamorous invitations and not relying on email and facebook.

Beth Schnitzer: More snail mail invites and snail mail personalized thank you’s.

What are three words that best describe You?

Andrew Freeman: Driven, enthusiastic and committed.

Beth Schnitzer: Passionate, Motivated, Caring (and fun!)

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For more information on Dress for Success, please click here.

To find out more about the Gala, please click here.