Topeka Performing Arts Center

Discover TPAC Fundraising Model

TPAC

Mission:
To foster the performing arts through excellence in programming by providing for the advancement, promotion, presentation, and
development of the arts to meet the diverse cultural and educational needs of our community.

Background:

The Topeka Performing Arts Center has been enriching Topeka for more than 20 years. Prior to opening as the Topeka Performing
Arts Center (TPAC) in 1991, the building operated as the Topeka Municipal Auditorium for 51 years. Ever since, TPAC has been
enhancing the quality of life in Topeka through community events, and also providing critical support for community needs, and
community relief.

TPAC provides northeast Kansas with Great Performances and Lifetime Experiences. In addition to bringing the best national and
internationally-known professional acts to Topeka, TPAC also provides youth education and outreach programs for K-12 students
throughout Shawnee County. TPAC is also rented as a venue for private events.
Situational Analysis:
TPAC SWOT/Benevon Model SWOT
Strengths
 A building with multiple room styles
(conference rooms, ballet rooms, dance floor
rooms, office rooms ect)
 Updated community theater
 Donors
 Bring in out of state entertainment
 Large Venue
 Box Office
 Lots of downtown parking
 City event staff available
 Downtown marketing
 Sponsors available
 “Tombstone” electronic marque
Opportunities
 Other downtown events
 Top corporations downtown
 High-dollar donors potentials
 High traffic 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
 Vehicle marketing out front.
 E-blasts
 Topeka Capital Journal
 KSNT
 Cumulus
 Visit Topeka
 Topeka downtown expansions/additions
Weaknesses
 Less convenient out of downtown marketing
 Limited financial resources
 Stage venue isn’t used weekly
 Box office only open 11-6
 Work around city schedules
 Fundraisers reliant on E-mails
 Day-to-day parking
 Less adult services compared to youth
Threats
 Staff varies
 Not having constant shows
 Constant fundraising, always asking for
money
 New non-profit theaters emerging, which
means asking for same donors
 Competing with other theater programs
 Maintaining reputation and image
Strengths Weaknesses

 A building with multiple room styles  Limited financial resources

(conference rooms, ballet rooms, dance floor  Work around city schedules
rooms, office rooms etc.)  Fundraisers reliant on E-mails
 Updated community theater  Dependent on established relationships to start
 Donors  Dependent on ambassadors to do the work
 Large Venue  No managing once its started
 Box Office
 Close by parking
 Sponsors available
 Board members Available

Opportunities Threats

 Other downtown events  Staff varies

 Top corporations downtown
 High-dollar donors potentials
 E-blasts
 Online heavy
 Constant fundraising, always asking for
money
 New non-profit theaters emerging, which
means asking for same donors
 Competing with other theater programs
 Maintaining reputation and image
 Not diversified or sustainable model

Competitors
Direct: Topeka Civic Theater, Helen Hocker Theater
Indirect: Theatre Lawrence, Shawnee County Kids Camp’s, Expocentre
Friends of TPAC:

This program allows for donors to feel as if they’re getting something back after taking the time to put into something. It’s a
positive incentive and advocates for higher donations.
Message: There is a TPAC moment for everybody in the
community, and it has become a necessary part of Topeka
tradition in cultivating the city.
Goals:
 Get 10-15 attendees per event
 Create Ambassadors
 Be available for Ambassadors
Objective:
 Not ask for money. Simply give them a reason to like
TPAC.
 Establish a communication line with the ambassadors.
 Leave them without any questions about TPAC.
 Get to fundraising event and ask for Money.
 Create more ambassadors
Key Public: Salary workers, Sponsors, Community
workers
1. First event will be Women’s Fund and Board of
Directors
2. Second event will be past donors
3. The rest of events will be prospected
Communication method:
The different points in the Benevon Model will call for
alternative means of communication practices. Inviting people
can typically be done on E-mail, because of the calendar
services it provides when RSVP’ing. If that is not enough the
team will resort to calling different target publics until the seats
per event are filled.
Phase 2 in the Benevon model strictly adheres to doing
a personal phone call. It makes for a unique experience and
allows a channel for feedback.
Strategy: The Benevon Model
To connect and engage with the key publics by
providing for them reasons to believe TPAC is important.
Typically, found in TPAC history and TPAC moments.
1. Point of Entry Event
a. Give the Facts
b. Emotional Hook
c. Capture Names
2. Follow up
a. Do a follow up call
b. Listen Carefully to their thoughts
3. Ask for money event
4. Get Ambassadors to introduce others to the mission