ST. HELENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wine Women & Shoes, the fastest growing fundraising event series for nonprofits in the US, announces the formation of a new parent company, STUDIO 4forty and the launch of a new concept, Farm to Table(aux). The new umbrella will allow the company to expand its portfolio of event offerings to nonprofits in both new and existing markets. The new program will enlist the same disciplined approach to creative fundraising and event planning that have made Wine Women & Shoes a resounding success. With more than 300 fundraising events produced, and $44 million (net) raised since its inception in 2004, the company has carved out a niche all of its own.
“There is no one else on a national level doing what we do to help nonprofits elevate their fundraising events,” explains company founder Elaine Honig. “Our expanded portfolio will allow us to make an even bigger impact in the nonprofit fundraising arena.”
First up in the new STUDIO 4forty lineup is the Farm to Table(aux) series which playfully marries the farm-to-table culinary movement using fresh, local, ingredients alongside a contemporary edgy interpretation of Tableaux Vivants or “living pictures,” which originated in the Victorian era and featured costumed actors or models posing in scenes from art and literature. The culinary feast prepared by local chefs and farmers at each event is rivaled only by a theatrical feast for the eyes with artistic concepts presented by local performers. Both Wine Women & Shoes and Farm to Table(aux) offer nonprofits a unique, lively and outside-of-the-box approach for revenue generation and new donor recruitment. A prototype event was first launched and tested in October, 2016 with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County, CA., with resounding success.
Offers Zane Smith, Executive Director, “Your company was transformational in helping us grow awareness, attract new donors, and raise more money than ever before with a single event.”
STUDIO 4forty and Farm to Table(aux) are the brainchild of founder Elaine Honig who also founded Wine Women & Shoes. A veteran marketer for 21 years at Honig Winery in the Napa Valley and a seasoned philanthropist, Elaine has a depth of experience in brand-building, event management and creative fundraising. After serving on several boards, she found herself suffering from “event fatigue” attending one too many of the “same old fundraisers.” She came to the conclusion that nonprofits could achieve greater participation and fundraising success if they enlisted more creativity and (for profit) business practices in building and executing their events. Inspired by her own experiences, she created a new business model that provides nonprofits with everything they need for effective fundraising – from a step-by-step “how to” event guide, graphic design services, and experienced advisors, to budget planning, recruitment of local volunteers and more. Her inaugural series, Wine Women & Shoes, provided a disciplined blueprint for success, with most nonprofits exceeding their expectations and past fundraising results.
Adds Ms. Honig, “The whole idea is that our nonprofit partners raise more money and awareness for their cause with us, than without us. The collaboration helps strengthen all of their fundraising efforts.” By establishing STUDIO 4forty and launching a new event series, the company can now serve a much broader audience of nonprofits hoping to up their fundraising game (and put the fun back into fundraising).
For more information go to: www.studio4forty.com, www.farmtotableaux.com, www.winewomenandshoes.com
