FAQ’s for Applying to Become a Band Together Nonprofit Partner
How does Band Together select a Nonprofit Partner?
Note: In 2011 Band Together will select a nonprofit partner for 2013.
1. After attending a Q&A session, nonprofits interested in applying submit a Letter of
Intent.
2. A committee made up of Band Together board members, nonprofit representatives,
sponsors, and key event personnel review all submitted Letters of Intent and invites
approximately 10 nonprofit organizations to submit a full application.
3. The Band Together Board of Directors discusses all applications and selects three or four
finalists who will present to the Board and key event committee members.
4. After these presentations, the Board will discuss, vote and make its selection.
5. All finalists will be notified within 24 hours of the final decision.
Note: The FAQ, Application Process and Letter of Intent Instructions can be found at:
http://www.bandtogethernc.org/connect/for-nonprofits
What criteria is used to select the Nonprofit Partner?
Band Together is a capacity building organization who selects partners based on a number of
key criteria that includes, but is not limited to:
 Recognition as a 501(c)(3) by the IRS.
 Triangle based – Historically partners, headquarted in Wake County, have been selected.
 Successful history in fundraising through a balance of individual, corporate, foundation
and grants.
 A mission that resonates positively and clearly with the Band Together Board,
prospective sponsors and the community.
 Support from the nonprofit organizations Board of Directors and major funders that will
allow the nonprofit to leverage the event proceeds to achieve a significant growth
milestone.
 Ability to sustain the level of post-event growth in future years.
 Commitment to be involved in all aspects of the event, including, but not limited to
board support, fundraising, marketing, and volunteering.
 The ratio of nonprofit’s funding that goes to programming (versus administrative costs).
Why does Band Together select the Nonprofit Partner two years out?
 Allows a year to creatively and successfully plan the best way to leverage the event.
 More time for Fundraising.
 Create positive momentum for staff, board members and volunteers.
 Ability to budget more accurately.
 Take advantage of “on the job” training from the current nonprofit partner.
Who should not apply?
 Political parties or causes or groups that are politically active
 Organizations whose primary purpose is proselytizing
 Animal related
[email protected] * www.bandtogethernc.org
3402 Hampton Rd. Raleigh, NC 27607



Environment related
Nonprofits not headquartered in the Triangle area
Lobbying or cause advocacy groups
When should Nonprofits apply?
Applying is a three part process:
1. Submit a Letter of Intent to BOTH [email protected] and
[email protected] by 5:00 PM on August 8th. Refer to the Letter of Intent
instructions: http://www.bandtogethernc.org/connect/for-nonprofits
2. Approximately ten nonprofit organizations will be invited to submit formal applications
which Band Together will send. These are no longer posted online. Formal applications
are due no later than 6:00 PM on September 9th at 3402 Hampton Rd. Raleigh, NC
27607. Applications received after this time will not be reviewed.
3. The top three to four nonprofits will provide site visits and take part in an in person
presentation during the week of October 10th.
4. Please refer to the Application Process Memo and Letter of Intent Instructions found at:
http://www.bandtogethernc.org/connect/for-nonprofits
What is the typical event date?
The event usually takes place on a Saturday in April/May/June.
How can we learn more about Band Together to see if we are a good fit?
 Check out www.bandtogethernc.org and subscribe to receive updates:
http://www.bandtogethernc.org/home/subscribe.aspx
 Attend the nonprofit Prospect Q&A meeting on Monday, August 1st from 4:30-6:30 PM at
Lincoln Theater, 126 E Cabarrus Street in Raleigh.
 Attend or volunteer for the event. NOTE: We appreciative of all of our volunteers.
Volunteering gives you exposure to the organization and offers you a chance to interact
with us and better understand what it takes to be a successful partner. However, we
cannot commit that this will result in a higher chance for being selected.
 Join us at one (or more) of our monthly “After Work” socials that take place at different
local venues where volunteers and Band Together representatives get together for the
purpose of getting to know one another. We will have representatives at each of these
socials to answer questions you might have:
http://www.bandtogethernc.org/events/after-work.aspx
 Please feel free to join our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/BandTogether and
follow us on Twitter at @bandtogethernc.
What will be required of the selected Nonprofit’s board, development staff, and
volunteers?
Involvement is one of the key criteria that the Band Together Board considers as a part of our
decision. It is crucial to the success of the event for the nonprofit to engage their board, staff,
and volunteer support in three areas: fundraising, publicity, and volunteerism.
Fundraising: the nonprofit’s top fundraisers will join Band Together’s fundraising committee to
solicit corporate and individual sponsors, deliver event tickets to sponsors, and ensure that the
sponsors get value out of as well as enjoy the event.
Publicity: the nonprofit’s best marketers will join our communications team to contact and
engage all possible media and ensure the nonprofit’s message and brand are properly
communicated. The nonprofit’s logo and message will be an integral part of the publicity
surrounding the event.
Volunteerism: The nonprofit partner will provide an event co-chairman with proven event
planning, leadership, communication and fundraising skills. The nonprofit partner will also
provide active members for each committee as well as on the day of the event (set up, staffing,
[email protected] * www.bandtogethernc.org
3402 Hampton Rd. Raleigh, NC 27607
ticketing, breakdown and cleanup). The more involved an agency's board, staff and volunteers
are with the event, the more successful the event and the experience for the nonprofit partner.
What is the estimated time commitment from the Nonprofit’s board, staff, and
volunteers?
As with any large event, planning takes place all year. Once the band, date, and venue are
selected, the pace picks up dramatically. The 12 weeks leading up to the event require
significant commitment and participation from the nonprofit partner event co-chair, and
committee volunteers. Meetings will begin monthly until one month prior to the event when
there will be weekly meetings and lots of communication. Work is intense, fast and demanding.
Band Together and its nonprofit partner must commit to making the event the highest priority
possible during this period of time.
How will a Nonprofit’s development efforts be affected by its participation with Band
Together?
Band Together partnership is not for every nonprofit. But for those who have established
development programs, this event offers an opportunity to increase your exposure, try new
fundraising techniques, involve your board in fundraising efforts, raise NEW dollars from NEW
donors, and thank your donors for the support they have given you throughout the years.
Band Together does not raise money FOR a nonprofit, but works in partnership WITH the
already established agency to provide a vehicle that will increase development efforts
substantially.
Does the Nonprofit have to cover any of the costs of producing the event?
No. Band Together assumes all financial costs and risk; however, we rely on our nonprofit
partner to assist us in the advisement of big, often risky decisions, because ultimately, these
decisions can make a large difference in the overall outcome.
How is publicity handled?
Band Together works closely with our communications partner, S&A Cherokee
, to create branded creative materials to promote the event and increase awareness about the
nonprofit partner. The nonprofit partner will need to provide spokespeople prior to and during
the event. Band Together will prominently promote the nonprofit on its website, to volunteers
and sponsors and all marketing materials. Likewise, the nonprofit will be expected to use its
website, mailing and email lists, and any other resources available to promote the event.
If I have further questions, who should I contact?
We are glad to help in any way we can. Please review our website in detail as well as the
application to see if your questions can be answered there. Join us at our “After Work” socials
where we will have representatives to answer questions you might have:
http://www.bandtogethernc.org/events/after-work.aspx You can also email us at
[email protected].
[email protected] * www.bandtogethernc.org
3402 Hampton Rd. Raleigh, NC 27607