The premier fundraising event in Collinsville for the past 20 years is looking for a recipient of funds to be generated at the 2015 Festival of Trees.
A table of trees and decorations at the 2013 Festival of Trees / Photo by Roger Starkey
The event, held annually at the Gateway Convention Center, has raised more than $500,00 in the past 20 years, including more than $30,000 in 2013. Collinsville Unit 10’s literacy initiative, “The Irving Dilliard Building Literacy for Life Initiative,” is the 2014 Festival of Trees recipient.
Past recipients have included Collinsville Charities for Children, Tote Me Home, The Collinsville Educational Scholarship Foundation, The YMCA, Collinsville Sunrise Kiwanis, Collinsville Woman’s Club and Collinsville Garden Club and many more.
Organizations or entities interested in applying to be the 2015 recipient, and that meet the recipient criteria outlined below, should submit a letter of application to Gateway Center, Attn: Executive Director, One Gateway Drive Collinsville, IL 62234. Contact Kayleen Humber at khuber@gatewaycenter.com or at 618.345.8998 ext. 147 with questions.
Recipient criteria
The following criteria will be used to consider organizations applying to be a future recipient of proceeds. The criteria are listed for guideline purposes only; other criteria may be considered in the selection process. The Convention Authority also will consider joint applications from more than one organization, with details provided as to how each organization will meet the criteria and volunteer requirements.
Please note, the recipient organization is required to reimburse the Authority 50% of the total cost associated with the food and beverages, as well as the entertainment within 30-days following the event. The recipient organization bears all upfront costs for items to be auctioned or sold to guests.
Main organization Qualifications:
1. Serves the community – primarily a Collinsville (corporate city limits) based entity.
Since local hospitality taxes help fund the Convention Center and Visitors Bureau, benefit should go to a charity or Not-For-Profit organization serving the city of Collinsville.
2. Identified project – proceeds entitled to the recipient from the Festival of Trees will be used for civic or charitable purposes with emphasis given to the use of funds in our own community.
3. An established Not-For-Profit community entity – either a subdivision of a nationally recognized service or charitable organization, or a subdivision of a governmental entity, or a charitable foundation based in the city of Collinsville.
Organizations and Entities meeting the above criteria are then judged based on the following:
1. Past participation in the Festival of Trees, including support of other recipient organizations
through volunteers, donations, tree/wreath sponsorships, etc.
2. Capability with adequate volunteers and financial resources to:
a. Plan the event
b. Solicit trees
c. Make wreaths and centerpieces for auction
d. Conduct the judging, auction, raffle and sales
e. Deliver the trees
3. Organizations that plan to use the funds for the following:
a. Beautification of the city
b. Historical preservation
c. Tourism
d. Economic development of the community
e. Parks and recreation in the community
f. Civic pride and improvement of the community
g. Other missions that will enhance the quality of life in the community, i.e. library,
YMCA, Cahokia Mounds Society, schools
h. Youth and/or special needs in the community
Reapplying for future consideration: Organizations not selected as a recipient for the Festival of Trees may reapply in following years. Applications should be submitted by June 30, 2014, to be considered as a recipient for the 2015 Festival of Trees in December.
Please submit letter of application to: Gateway Center, Attn: Executive Director, One Gateway Drive, Collinsville, IL 62234
