Despite having 1,428 members under its new all-inclusive membership plan as of Feb. 22, The Center of Anna Maria Island has a significant gap in its finances.
The board of directors hopes upcoming fundraising events will close the gap.
The fundraising continued Feb. 27 with the center’s Neil Diamond tribute night. As of Islander press time, the amount raised was not known.
A murder-mystery dinner party, “Island Five-0,” was rescheduled to March 5 from November 2015. The event will include dinner, cash bar and an original mystery, written and directed by Beth Shaughnessy.
The Joe Moss Blues Band is renting the center gymnasium March 12 and the center will profit from a cash bar at the band’s event.
The annual tour of homes will take place Saturday, March 19, with people paying to view five homes. A prize raffle quilt created by the Eyeland Needlers contributes to the revenue. The 2015 tour resulted in $33,000 for the center.
The center will present its annual Grand Affaire April 16 with the Chiles Restaurant Group committed as the presenting sponsor.
Save the date notices for the affaire went out in late February, with invitations to be posted by mid-March. Tickets are $175.
“We want to bring those willing to spend on the big auction items,” board chair Bill Shuman said of those who will be invited to the event.
The board also has developed a list of potential donors and hopes to host a introductory event within the next several weeks.
“The intent is to bring in people well established in the community,” board treasurer Jim Froeschle said.
Another avenue of funds for the center are partnerships with IMG Academy and the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The partnership with IMG earns the center money from ticket sales to IMG special events, including an upcoming two-week professional soccer exhibition.
The center also has agreed to provide facilities for events that overflow from the Bradenton Area Convention Center to bring in additional revenue.