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.