I assume that OP is from the USA.

Charities in the USA work completely different from charities in Europe. 80% of that what charities do in the USA is done by the state in Europe, funded by taxes. Americans use to call this system "socialist". And most of the remaining 20% is done by large state-acknowledged welfare organizations like Caritas (which is the welfare organization of the Roman Catholic Church). So, there are only very small niches for private welfare projects - and these are heavily regulated by the state to avoid fraud and tax evasion.

So, the American tradition of fund-raising and charity events simply does not exist in Europe.

I am afraid, OP simply thinks that in Europe everything is the same as in USA and just looks for an exotic environment for a typical American pasttime activity.

And what kind of event should it be? A Parisian citizen can go to dozens of dinner parties every day, and most of them offer far better things than you can offer for €100 minus expenses for organization minus a contribution for a charity.

The only way a fund-raising project would work in Europe is like this:

- You have a celebrity performing without salary.
- You have a firm giving their products for free.
- You have a professional event management agency which works for free.

I am saying all this without any nastiness. I just have to be clear to prevent OP from doing a big foolery.

Would you encourage one to jump off the Eiffel Tower with the thinking they will land softly - same here - point out the many roadblocks and simple unrealistic goal of this rather Quixotic quest.

Why start in Paris where the roadblocks are much more than say at home - and if you have a track record at home to show would be sponsors that would make it better - not much but at least that you can pull it off.

I admire your attempt to do something extraordinary (for you) but not your realistic look at all this.

How about going to Paris and selling locks to tourists to put on bridges and giving that money to some charity - or other schemes that are much more simple than this impossible task.

Why not look at upcoming schedules of current fundraising events (months and months from now), find two or three that are within the same timeframe, and offer to volunteer? This would give you valuable experience and contacts, and help you decide in a low-risk way whether this is really something you want to do.

Often event coordination and fundraising sound cool and fun, but the reality is actually very different. Adding in a venue in another country is really setting yourself and your cause up for disappointment.

Odd this is a first posting by this member.

I believe the OP has left the building.

I think Gretchen is onto something.

I believe the OP was having an episode and has since recovered. Rudeness not intended, an observation. From WebMD, bipolar, "...a tendency to make grand and unattainable plans".

I would never try to discourage someone who knows s/he could do something "incredibly well."

I think those who are encouraging the OP are, for some reason, ignoring the wildly unrealistic nature of the proposed endeavor that, I should think, would immediately be apparent to any intelligent person here, including the OP.

Kandace_York's post is unmasking. She, like OP, has no understanding that things in Europe work differently than in USA.

This is a nasty travel forum. Maybe my idea was a bad idea but did you really have to resort to that? You know who you are.

As an event planner myself, I see the biggest (possibly not surmountable) hurdle with your idea, is that you don't speak French.

Well and having zero experience organizing large scale luxury events, but that to me seems a secondary consideration in comparison to no language skills.

suze- how is your sex life? Not so good I guess?

Why I don't spend much time on the Europe forum. Thanks for reminding me PalenQ.

dotted stripes,
If your really want to fund raise for a cause (and fundraising is a significant part of your dream) start local.
You probably know more people in your own town than anywhere else and will be familiar with venues etc.

If you can't organise this event locally even by enlisting family, friends and local businesses to donate to the cause (skills or $$) then Paris is out of the question imo.

Once you have some local experience perhaps you will feel more confident branching out and in the meantime you can learn some French.

Just FYI, I attended an after hours event at the Louvre (300 to 400 guests) which included drinks, hors d'oeuvres followed by dessert plus access to the galleries.
It was fairly upscale and cost the company 250 euros a head (zero went to charity).
If the purpose was to fund raise I'd expect ticket prices to be much higher.

<I will need your help! I really want to do it.>

As someone who has planned events (although not in Paris) these are the basics where you start. I think to succeed at minimum you need:

1. a local charity you are working with
2. access to their donor/patron/guest list
3. one or more local contacts w/ fluent French
4. someone who understands promotion & publicity
5. knowledge of available appropriate venues
6. local caterers, florists, printers, musicians

You asked for input - and people with a lot of experience gave it to you.

Sorry it does not support your fantasy.

You were given several very good suggestions on getting started - IMHO the best to get a starter job at an event planning company to learn how to do it - but it seems they don't fit with your fantasy.

If you were really serious about this - as opposed to just dreaming about it - you would have a job in event planning by now - and be on your way. (They are always looking for people for stater jobs - since they either learn quickly and start up the ladder or hate the necessary detail work and hours and quit.)

I appreciate the constructive criticisms. I will start small and go bigger when I have more experience. I know this whole thing sounds dumb to most of you and that's okay. I still want to do it. It might take me a few years but that doesn't matter if my heart is in it. Sometimes you just have to believe something is possible, you know? If there's a will there's a way! If you can dream it, it can happen! The universe has an incredible way of giving you what you ask for if you just try your best and believe. It's that simple. Thanks again. I think I've run my course here.

I'm not sure how the same person wrote this 'sweet' response and the vile language on the other thread.

Maybe dotted and stripes are twins.

"vile language", janisj, really? When you run around saying "bite me" on these boards when you're disagreed with? Give me a break!

Some thoughts.
1 worst trolls are said to be the ones who dig in threads to attack other posters on personal ground
2 I can't reconcile somebody full of love comités to charity fundraising losing his temper and writing a post full of hatred.
3 fundraising doesn't work the same in U.S. Than in Europe apparently. Don't expect much from a total stranger raising money by himself. We tend to prefer established organizations.

A part cela l'idée est absolument excellente.

En effet. Espérons que "rayures à pois" a déjà commencé ses cours de langue.

Langue de pute ou langue de bois ?
Il/elle en maîtrise déjà une au moins.

<fundraising doesn't work the same in U.S. Than in Europe apparently. Don't expect much from a total stranger raising money by himself. We tend to prefer established organizations.>

No. "We" prefer established charitable organizations in the US as well.

There are laws being discussed that would oblige charitative (or is it charitable as above or both are correct ?) to disclose the percentage of funds raised actually allocated to the cause (thus fund raised - functioning costs).

A little bit like the casinos advertising in Vegas.

I'm not sure how the same person wrote this 'sweet' response and the vile language on the other thread.>

A classic symptom of some serious problems IMO. Seems to be playing around - and that seems to be a goal.

dottedstripes - Go for it - do not let naysayers deter you from your dream - I have a dream you say well go for it.

Good luck

"vile language", janisj, really? When you run around saying "bite me" on these boards when you're disagreed with? Give me a break!>>

clearly, NewB, you haven't read what dotted stripes posted on the "can't we be nicer to each other" thread.

<<Langue de pute ou langue de bois ?
Il/elle en maîtrise déjà une au moins.>>

whatever sort of language it is, whatello, the OP says that s/he doesn't speak french so your bons mots are falling on stoney ground.

annhig
I'm already glad you find it a bon mot. :-) Kerouac also understood it I'm sure so I'm happy...

I have nothing to say to Dotted. I'm not a psychanalyst and am not interested in dissecting her posts. I read the other one and it suffices for me. I don't want to talk/write to him/her.

I didn't read what dotted stripes posted on that thread, annhig, but if you're saying it's worse than "bite me", what's your point? That it's OK to use bad language if you're a regular but "vile" if you're not? Does it depend on the day??

It never ceases to amaze me the rights and privileges that the self-appointed doyennes of Fodorville reserve unto themselves, chief among them being the right to be rude AND scold others for rudeness, often in the same thread.

<if you're saying it's worse than "bite me">

It is a LOT worse than that NewbE. You might want to read the post before making & sharing judgement about it.

That it's OK to use bad language if you're a regular but "vile" if you're not? Does it depend on the day??

Read dotted's vitriolic latter post and you will see why this type of content is just over the top - from newbie or NewbE to the most veteran of Fodorgarchs. If you do not change your mind after reading it please explain why that type of profanity should be tolerated from anyone.

That said I hope the moderators leave it in as it reflects most poorly on the writer and not those she/he writes about.

Fine, now I have, and my point still stands. It's just not on to be rude when it suits you and then castigate others for rudeness when it suits you. You can't be a hall monitor and a truant both.

From the head hall monitor.

But I'm not! I choose truant, every time. As I said, hypocrisy gets my goat. Rudeness, I can ignore or engage with, as I wish.

Obviously you can be both.