Special Events Committee Memeber - Ballet Co.Laboratory

COMMITTEE OBJECTIVE

To plan and promote Ballet Co.Laboratory’s annual benefit performance and celebration to meet revenue, attendance, and patron engagement goals. 

BENEFIT COMMITTEE MEMBER DESCRIPTION 

Ballet Co.Laboratory’s Benefit Committee is one of the most vital philanthropic volunteer positions at Ballet Co.Laboratory. Spearheading the organization’s largest fundraising event of the year takes a team of individuals who have a strong affinity for the mission and values of the organization, are well respected within the community, enjoy taking ownership of a project, are comfortable being connectors, and like to have fun! 

BALLET CO.LABORATORY BENEFIT COMMITTEE MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Provide ideas and feedback on benefit theme, décor, invitations, pricing, food/drink, entertainment, night of activities, and follow-up/cultivation efforts. 

• Determine strategies to raise funds from event guests. 

• Assist in obtaining packages for the event’s silent and live auctions. 

• Aide in brainstorming and/or securing corporate sponsorships and/or event vendors. 

• Sell at least 4 tickets to the event and attend on Saturday, October 3 from 4:00 – 7:00pm. 

• Participate in post-event evaluation. 

ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT (June – October 2026) 

• One 90-minute gala committee meeting per month. 

• 1-4 hours of individual work per month (promoting the event to personal and professional contacts, working to secure items for auction packages, & corresponding with fellow committee/staff members working on the event). 

EVENT BACKGROUND INFORMATION 

Ballet Co.Laboratory’s annual benefit performance and celebration is the organization’s largest fundraising event of the year. This event raises more than $145,000 annually to support Ballet Co.Laboratory productions and programs, including the creation of new ballet works, support for our professional dancers, need-based scholarships to The School of Ballet Co.Laboratory, and the funding of free tickets/dance workshops in the community to ensure dance experiences are accessible to all. 

Ballet Co.Laboratory’s annual benefit performance is a vibrant event where guests are immersed in the theme and surrounded by artists and other surprises from beginning to end. This year’s theme will be announced at the first meeting! 

VIP Ticket 

$175 per person 

This experience includes: reserved table seating for the performance, complimentary sips-n-bites, silent auction, raffle, and games. 

*Table sponsorships are also available at $5,000 - $10,000. 

Standard Ticket 

$90 per person ($105 after early-bird pricing ends) 

This ticket includes: a general admission seat for the performance, complimentary sips-n-bites, a silent auction, a raffle, and games. 

*Seat sponsorships are also available at $1,000 - $3,500 

TO APPLY

Reach out to Rachel Koep, Managing Director at rkoep@balletcolaboratory.org to express your interest. Volunteers must live in Minnesota and be able to attend meetings in person.

------------------

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND INFORMATION 

Ballet Co.Laboratory is Minnesota’s largest professional ballet company and school, serving more than 15,000 individuals each year. Based in St. Paul, we empower creativity while engaging communities in new ways of thinking, learning, and moving. Established in 2018, Ballet Co.Laboratory is nationally recognized for challenging ballet’s “traditions that exclude” by reimagining how ballet is taught, created, and presented. With a dynamic ensemble of professional dancers, Ballet Co.Laboratory creates groundbreaking classical and contemporary dance works that inspire today’s audiences. Beyond the stage, we offer dance classes for all ages and skill levels, along with meaningful outreach 

programs that bring professional dance experiences to underserved communities. 

THE IMPACT OF BALLET CO.LABORATORY 

When you support Ballet Co.Laboratory, you are investing in our work to use dance’s transformative power to connect, inspire, & educate our community. Below are a few notables we work to fund annually. 

Making Dance a Viable Profession 

At the center of Ballet Co.Laboratory are our 55 professional artists, whom we support artistically and financially. The path to becoming a professional dancer requires extensive training, starting in early childhood, and is often more costly than pursuing careers in medicine, law, or business. Yet professional dancers remain among the lowest-paid full-time workers in the nation. We are committed to providing competitive salaries and benefits, ensuring our artists can sustain their careers while still calling Minnesota home. 

Raising The Curtain on New Dance Productions 

In the coming season, more than 5,500 audience members will experience a Ballet Co.Laboratory production. Committed to creating innovative ballets for a new generation, we have premiered 16 original works that highlight stories historically excluded from the art form. Through this work, those who once felt unseen now find their stories center stage—fostering an inclusive community where more people can envision themselves as artists, students, and patrons of the arts. 

Educating Dancers of All Ages and Skill Levels 

The School of Ballet Co.Laboratory currently educates 793 students through 45 weekly ballet classes, welcoming dancers of all experience levels—from first-time students to lifelong enthusiasts. Our youngest student is just three years old, while our most seasoned dancer is 89. Because performance is an essential part of one’s dance education, all students—including adults—have the opportunity to perform alongside our professional dancers. Through classes and performances, dancers develop their technique, artistry, and a strong sense of community. 

Presenting Free Dance Classes and Performances 

At Ballet Co.Laboratory, we recognize that many in our community face barriers to accessing the arts. Socioeconomic challenges and health crises often limit opportunities to attend performances or participate in dance classes. To make dance more accessible, we offer free and deeply discounted workshops, performances, and need-based scholarships for dance training. Last season alone, these initiatives served 8,000 individuals, ensuring more people can experience the transformative power of dance.