Our Story

My name is Debbie Clason and I'm the Executive Director of a small business called Royal Palace Productions. Thirteen years ago, my good friend, Kim, and I created The Cinderella Ball in our hometown of Kokomo, Indiana. The event was for dads with daughters between the ages of 5-10 years old -- no moms allowed -- and it quickly sold out. It continues to be a family favorite in Kokomo year after year. Dads enjoy spending some one-on-one time with their daughters, and what little girl doesn't like to dress up like a fairy-tale princess?

During our ninth year, as I was standing in the ballroom, two of dads who attend each year approached me and asked this fateful question: When are you going to take this to the next level?

The Impact

I had been thinking about this very idea; however, I kept feeling something was missing. The dads and daughters enjoy a horse and carriage ride, sit-down dinner, entertainment, ballroom dance lesson, craft and take home a tee shirt. Cinderella and Prince Charming interact with their royal guests. And I make a nice profit on each event. Still, I couldn't help thinking there should be more.

Dads are a very important part of their daughter's lives. When fathers are involved, school drop out rates fall and girls are less likely to abuse drugs, attempt suicide, or become pregnant. Homes with engaged fathers are more likely to raise happy, confident and successful young women than homes where fathers aren't present.

I realized nonprofit agencies working with children and their families might like to use the Cinderella Ball as a fundraiser. When I added Princess Power, a youth philanthropy activity which encourages the princesses in attendance to give back to the host nonprofit, I knew I was ready to move forward.

The program allows families who have more than enough to share to enjoy an evening out and benefit families who have critical needs.

What We Need & What You Get

I formed a LLC, launched a website (www.thecinderellaball.com), wrote (and copyrighted) a program manual and began marketing the program to nonprofit organizations. Bona Vista Programs in Kokomo hosts the flagship program. They consistently make between $9,000-$10,000 profit each year.

I currently have 8 nonprofit organizations interested in hosting a Cinderella Ball in their community. The event is meant to be an annual event for dads and daughters to look forward to attending each year. Unfortunately, it can cost more than $5,000 to secure the facility, hire the entertainers and horse and carriages, and print the invitations and tee shirts. If they follow the directions in my manual, they'll make a nice profit -- with enough seed money to host the event again the next year.

It occurred to me the best way to help get the Ball rolling (so to speak) would be to offer first-year grants to organizations -- and that's where you can help. Here's the breakdown:

     Catered dinner -- $15.00/person ($3,000 for 200 people)

     Printing for invitations ($400) and souvenir tee shirts ($640)

     Horse & carriage rides (2 carriages) $600

     Entertainment and decorations $360

     My program fee: $750

The organizations make money by charging for tickets and asking for corporate donations within their community. I explain how to do that in the manual, and am on call to help them whenever they need it. Again, the Kokomo event consistently makes between $9,000 and $10,000 PROFIT -- so I know this formula works.

I'd LOVE to fund the entire cost of a start-up program for each of the organizations who've requested applications; but that means asking for $40,000. YIKES! Instead, I'll set a $5,000 goal to use as start up grants. These grants will be available to  nonprofits who sign an agreement to host their first annual Cinderella Ball to pay for the start up costs I've outlined above. The more money I raise, the bigger the grant(s).

Other Ways You Can Help

If you're involved with a nonprofit organization in your community with programs for children and their families, please encourage them to consider hosting the Cinderella Ball as a fundraiser. All the information they need can be found on my website: www.thecinderellaball.com. If a nonprofit organization you recommend signs an agreement to host a Cinderella Ball, you'll receive a VIP table for 8 at the first event. If you do not have a daughter (or granddaughter!) to bring to the Ball, you can donate the tickets back to the nonprofit organization for them to give to families who wouldn't otherwise be able to attend.

You can also help by promoting this campaign on your social network sites. Give us a shout on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Once a Cinderella Ball has been established in a community, it becomes an annual favorite that families look forward to attending year after year -- by promoting family values, encouraging youth philanthropy and creating magical memories that last a lifetime.