Welcome to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation’s blog!
We are a non-profit organization with a mission to raise funds for the renovation and preservation of the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. Since our inception in 1993, the Foundation has raised more than $200 million through individual contributions, state appropriations, in-kind services, and corporate, federal and state grants.
Please follow our blog to learn more about our organization.
After 13 years working at the Foundation you might think that I would have my job down pat and have a set routine. Thankfully I am very happy to report that is far from the reality. We are always searching for new ways to increase awareness of the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and to introduce new ways to support our renovation mission.
In 19 years the Foundation has raised over $85 million for renovation and improvement projects. In this short time we've restored dignity to the Fairgrounds and increased the pride that Iowan's have in the grand event known as the Iowa State Fair. And, while there is still much to be done and several projects either underway or in the planning stage (Cultural Center, 4H Building, Expo Hill, Pioneer Hall), we started looking into the future. What was going to protect the investment made over the past 19 years? Thus, the idea of an endowment fund was born.
Over the past year we've been busy creating Our Fair's Future, our new endowment program that focuses on gift planning. Establishing an endowment fund now, one that will grow over time, will assure funding for perpetual maintenance and improvement of the Fairgrounds. This program has kept us busy as we've worked with the legislature in creating a fund separate from the State of Iowa, developed a planned giving section of our website and established a newsletter and e-news campaign to spread the word about our new program.
Donating to the endowment fund can be as easy as a direct gift of cash or something with a bit more planning such as an outright gift of stock or real estate/land, a gift of life insurance or retirement assets. The most common planned gift is through a bequest in a will but there are about as many ways to make a gift as there are needs to be met. (Believe me, I've been learning a lot this past year....annuities, charitable trusts, remainder gifts. I'm thinking Dad was right, this history major should have taken a few more financial/accounting classes!) And, as I've discovered, you don't have to be wealthy to be able to leave a lasting legacy to an organization close to your heart. It's just a bit of learning, some planning and maybe a lot of organizing of your papers; which are all good things to do anyway. And, to help you out, we've provided a variety of tools to help you learn, plan and organize. So, take a moment to explore these tools and help ensure Our Fair's Future.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but it's almost the end of March, which means it's time to get in all of your orders for items to be placed on the Fairgrounds for this year's Fair! This deadline includes placement for bricks, trees, benches, lamp posts, granite pavers and seat plaques. If you're still deciding on last minute inscriptions, you've got until the end of next week to get those turned in!
With this deadline approaching, I do get the opportunity to get out of my office a little more frequently than in the cold winter months. And, with this incredible weather we've been having, I try to find any excuse to go check things out on the grounds. Double checking tree and lamp post availability or confirming a brick inscription are always good reasons to step outside for a little while. I was heading out to take some photos of our grounds now that they're greening up, but it's gotten pretty dark in the last few minutes, so maybe I'll get some photos taken later this week.
Again, please remember to get your donations turned in to meet the end of March deadline. For your convenience, I've linked the different programs below if you're still interested in getting something set for Fair 2012. Questions? Shoot me an email and I'll be happy to help!
I've decided to take a break from signing my giant stack of ticket letters to give Fan Fair members a quick update on what to expect in the upcoming weeks in regard to early ticket purchasing. Also, I want to thank all who participated and helped us raise a record high for the Fan Fair program- all proceeds go directly back to the Fairgrounds to help improve and preserve it for the future!
That being said, on to what you've all been wondering...when you can get your tickets! You will be receiving your Fan Fair ticket purchasing information next week via US mail. Please be watching your mail for this information coming from the Blue Ribbon Foundation. This mailing includes a letter explaining the ticket ordering process (complete with your unique Fan Fair offer code), a list of the Grandstand lineup and ordering instructions.
The Fan Fair pre-sale will begin April 4 at 10:00 a.m. and last through April 8 at 10:00 p.m.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public on April 14th, so if you missed out on Fan Fair, don't worry, you can still purchase tickets to your favorite Grandstand show the following week. Click here for a full list of the concerts that will be at this year's Fair.
Well, back to practicing my autograph...500 more or so to go! As always, if you have any questions about Fan Fair or any other giving programs, let me know!
My name is Jenna Mushro and I am a student at Drake University, more than excited to start here at the Blue Ribbon Foundation. As a junior studying public relations, marketing and English, I am thrilled to have the real world work experience I am already getting at my second week at the BRF.
I am from Apple Valley, a suburb of the Twin Cities (yes, I have heard comments in Iowa about my Minnesooota accent!). Last year I finally had the chance to attend the Iowa State Fair, what an eye opening day! At the end of the day at the fair my feet were sore and I consumed A LOT of delicious food. The pain and calories were definitely worth it. I am excited to be a part of the fair that nothing compares and see the hard work and enthusiasm that goes into making it the best fair in the country.
A little more about myself..I love sports. I have been involved in soccer and volleyball since I could walk, and I became passionate about running since I joined my high school cross country team. I bleed purple and yellow. The Vikings games consume most of my weekends during NFL season, hopefully they won't dampen most of my Sundays next season!
Currently, I am wrapping up a public relations campaign competition with the Drake University Public Relations Student Society of America Bateman team. Along with four other students, I worked diligently on creating awareness of childhood obesity and promoting healthy living in the Des Moines community. Through our Healthy Kids Relays event, flash zumba mob at Jordan Creek Mall, YMCA carnivals and several presentations to schools and community organizations, we had great success. Now we are creating the write-up to send to New York judges, fingers crossed we are a finalist!
I am honored to have the opportunity to work on the Iowan of the Day program that recognizes ten outstanding Iowans at the 2012 Iowa State Fair. Those who go out of their way to help others deserve this great award. In that case, here is my first of many reminders in the next few months..don't forget to nominate a star Iowan for this award by July 1. I know it might seem a bit early for July deadline announcements, but we all know how fast time flies!
Click here for more Iowan of the Day information.
Jenna Mushro
Planning for the 2012 Corndog Kickoff has begun! With this year's theme, "It's a Sweet Thing," we celebrate sixteen years of the Kickoff in addition to all of the sweet things found at the Fair. We plan to incorporate a sweet sixteen celebration and also play off the Fair's "It's Fairlicious" theme that features Fair foods. Our vision may morph as time passes, but thanks to the help of our advisory team, we are off to a great start!
Last night was our first advisory meeting to talk about the theme and other logistics of the Kickoff. While we've had a successful event for the past fifteen years, we are always looking for new, creative ideas to keep the event exciting and new. Last year we added a bandana game where participants purchased a souvenir bandana for $10 and then played a game to win 50% of the total amount raised. By several rounds of the flip of a coin, the winner walked away with nearly $1,700! People really enjoyed this addition during the live auction, and we plan to do it again in 2012. So "heads up" to those coming this year - be sure to purchase your bandana to get in the game! If you have any creative ideas to suggest we add to the event, feel free to send them my way via email.
Playing the Bandana Game at the 2011 Kickoff! The Winner!
Another aspect of the Kickoff which is underway right now is patron registration. Each year at the event, attendees have the opportunity to become patrons for the event. There are five different levels which include ticket and publicity packages. The levels begin at $250 and range up to $7,500. Levels $1,000 and up receive a reserved table at the event in addition to the other perks. To check out the different patron levels and what they have to offer, click here. The renewal mailing will be sent tomorrow, so past patrons be checking your mailboxes soon. Online registration will also be up by early next week. For those of you just interested in general tickets, those will go on sale in mid-May.
I can't believe the Kickoff is just right around the corner! As I go over my notes from last night's meeting, I find myself getting so exciting for yet another great Kickoff - it's going to be "sweet!"
It's March and things are really picking up here at the Foundation. Though it was a busier winter than normal due to the website revamp, we're just getting started! As many of you know, the full Grandstand lineup has been announced and the deadline for Fan Fair was yesterday. Thanks to all who contributed to make it a record-breaking year for Fan Fair donations! If you donated, you will receive a letter in the mail within the next couple of weeks with all of the details on early ticket purchasing through Fan Fair.
We're also gearing up for the Corndog Kickoff and holding meetings with the auction and advisory teams to get started. July will be here before you know it and we will be celebrating our 16th year of the Kickoff! If you are interested in donating an item to our auction, please check out the donation form and contact Robin with any questions. Or, if you're interested in being a patron at the event, click here for more information. The patron donor form will be up soon!
We will round out March with wrapping up all of our giving programs! If you wanted a brick, bench, tree, lamp post, granite paver or other item we offer placed for the 2012 Fair, all of those donations need to be submitted by March 31. If you have any questions about any of the above programs, please contact me via email.
Spring is coming and the Fair will be here before you know it! Only 159 days to go!
I can't believe February is almost over! At least we can squeeze out one more day this month because of leap year. That gives all of you another day to make the deadline for Fan Fair 2012 on March 1st!
For all of you Fair-lovers and concert-goers, I'm sure you've been hearing the Grandstand acts roll out as they are confirmed. It's shaping up to be a great line-up and it makes me even more excited for the Fair this year! There is a great mix of country, pop, rock and oldies - something for everyone. If you're planning on going to one of the great shows, you should consider joining our Fan Fair program. It is the best way to get great seats before the tickets go on sale to the general public.
For every $100 donation you make to the Fan Fair program, you get two early seats to a concert of your choice for the 2012 Fair. There is no limit on the donation amount. So, if you want 2 tickets to three different concerts, then that would just be a $300 donation. Or, instead, with that $300 donation, you could get all six of your tickets to just one show. How you divide them is up to you!
Even better than getting great seats to concerts you love, you're supporting the mission of the Blue Ribbon Foundation. The donation is tax deductible and the money is used to renovate and preserve the beautiful and historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. So, be sure to get great seats and support the Fair today!
Please remember your donation is only for the early ticketing privileges; it does not include admission or price of the concert tickets. If you have any specific questions, please let me know via email.
It's a snowy day on the Fairgrounds today, and it's hard to believe that in just 6 short months, this place will be bustling with people enjoying the food, entertainment, and atmosphere of the Iowa State Fair.
There's a lot to do before then, and we are in full gear here already planning for the Corn Dog Kickoff, 2012 merchandise, and everything else that will take place in the next 24 weeks.
A project that I have been working hard on lately is the Corndog Checkoff. Before working for the Blue Ribbon Foundation, I didn't know a lot about the program and what a great opportunity it is for Iowa residents to make a huge difference for the Fair. By simply checking line 58b of Iowa Tax Form 1040 and line 14 of 1040A, a portion of my return will go straight to the Blue Ribbon Foundation to be used for renovation on the Fairgrounds. It doesn't even have to be a large amount of my return, either. The minimum amount you're able to checkoff is $1. I have at least that much in change at the bottom of my purse right now! The average gift is $16 (less than what it would cost my fiance and I to go out to dinner), but when you combine that amount with everyone else that gives, it turns out to be a GREAT fundraising effort for the Foundation. In it's 18th year, the Corndog Checkoff has raised nearly $1.6 million!
So I encourage you to keep the Corndog Checkoff in mind as your filing your tax return in the next month or so. Remember, it only takes $1 to make a huge difference!
I've been anxiously awaiting this day for months! Welcome to our fresh, new website!!
Going into this project, I knew very little about working to create a new site, building donation pages or setting up an e-store, but with a tight timeline and a great web design team, it's done and ready for your viewing!
Here are some of the new features that I'm really excited about, and I think you'll appreciate as a visitor:
We hope you enjoy all the changes we've made to make your experience with the Foundation even better. Now's the time to go check it out, explore, and enjoy the updated site!
It’s another busy week here on the Fairgrounds for the annual Winter Beef Expo. Like most of this winter, we’ve really lucked out with more great weather. All of the cattle, vehicles, livestock trailers and people on the grounds make it feel like Fair time. Though it’s still 6 months away, I can feel the buzz in the air and I’m already getting excited for another Fair!
Hopefully if you were out at the Expo at all, you found the Foundation’s booth in the Cattle Barn foyer. Thanks to our great volunteers, we were able to have a presence at the event and sell our Fair merchandise.
Volunteers Nikki Goodell and Judy Dillenburg speak with a customer at the Blue Ribbon Foundation's booth.
As I’ve mentioned in a past post about the Beef Expo, my family has attended for as long as I can remember. Each year my sister and I would show in Polled Hereford classes and once we graduated high school, Mom and Dad continued to make the trip, but selling cattle instead of exhibiting. The past two years I have helped with the sale, taking them in the arena, but with how crazy it’s been around here lately preparing the new website, among other projects, I didn’t take the time off. However, I was able to snag a couple of shots in the barn before the sale as I was changing out the volunteers at the booth. Check out how cute our Herefords are!
The two calves we sold today: Yedda and Yelk.
My dad getting ready to take the bull into the sale ring.
The Blue Ribbon Foundation booth closes after today, but the Beef Expo goes through Sunday, so if you’re interested, you should stop out to the Fairgrounds and see what it’s all about. On another note, be sure to check out our website tomorrow for the unveiling of our completely revamped website!!