COLUMBIA — The slumping economy has already hit one South Carolina non-profit. In mid-November, Q-Notes reported that SC Equality needed to raise $30,000 by the end of the year or face closure. Now a local AIDS services foundation has been forced to cancel its large-scale New Year’s gala fundraiser.

AIDS Benefit Foundation of South Carolina President Chip Wade told Q-Notes the organization decided to cancel its New Year’s Eve Glitter Ball gala due to lack of fundraising.

“We were having a very difficult time getting sponsorships,” he said. “We were getting small sponsorships, but it would have taken lots of those to fund the event.”

Wade said the Foundation didn’t want to take the risk of relying solely on ticket sales to see the event through. “We certainly don’t want to start the year off in debt,” he said.

The foundation, which raises funds and distributes grants to organizations serving those affected by HIV/AIDS, is looking forward to its April Dining for Friends events.

“That is something that doesn’t take as much money for us to do,” Wade said. “We have a lot of sponsors who continue to come back year after year and do a lot of in-kind sponsorships.”
He said the group is looking at other options for smaller fundraising events.

“Personally, I’ve just come to the conclusion that doing large-scale gala-type events are probably not the best way to go with the current economy,” he said. “Sticking to smaller events might be a safer way to bring in more money.”

Wade added that the group might also look into doing an event similar to the Glitter Ball later in 2009.

info: www.abfsc.org