10
Wise Choices for Business
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Pitching in for Sustainable Giving
By Janie Pritchett-Clark
By its very philosophy, the Northwest Ballpark field. Schools can purchase
Arkansas Naturals, with general manager blocks of tickets wholesale to turn a profit
Eric Edelstein at the helm, believes that for their own programs, and then gain
community and charitable involvement the chance to play a game at the park.
are essential ingredients in the business “We had two high schools participate last
of professional sports. Not a day goes year,” Edelstein recalls “We have five
by, Edelstein claims, that the fax doesn’t already scheduled for 2010.”
ring in a few requests for donations from
It seems the list of contributions never
charities.
ends. They donate thousands of tickets
“Lots of people are going to ask. If and baseball memorabilia to charity
there is any possible way to say yes, we fundraising events all over Northwest
find a way to say, Yes! That’s been our Arkansas, as well as to programs that
approach for community involvement. support education or give underprivileged
Whatever we can do, let’s do it.” children a seat at the game. They even
That mindset led Edelstein and his
set a Guinness World Book record for
administrative team to create the frame-
fans with kazoos.
work and fundraising arm that would Edelstein sees 2010 as an opportunity
create sustainable giving. “We wanted to to build on the momentum to do even
be responsive to the community’s needs more. Although first quarter will be the
as they ask for it,’ says Edelstein. “And, creative launch pad for what’s new,
knowing that we’re a small business with Edelstein hopes to see more communi-
a small budget, we wanted to find a way ties and charities get involved. Buying
to get cash into the hands of worthwhile wholesale fundraising tickets, for exam-
charities.” ple, is a great way for charitable entities
During the 2009 season, The Natu-
to raise money without having to create
rals, with the help of corporate partners
an event. The City of Farmington did just
and fans, donated more than $200,000
that, creating a Farmington Night at the
in cash, donations and benefits. They
Game, and raised funds to improve their
hosted over 100 charitable events with
city ball fields.
some 400 charities served. Using the park as a host-site for
Launch-A-Ball fundraisers held after
charitable events is another example of
every Friday night home game raised
the team “looking at roadblocks and how
more than $6,000 for charities from the
to get around them.” In 2009 they hosted
sale of rubber baseballs. Pack the Park
Tour de Cure, the ALS Walk, Alzheimer’s
Mondays raised another $6,000-plus for
Memory Walk, and The Cancer Chal-
12 different non-profits that participated
lenge to name a few.
in promoting Monday games. “We’re a small business, but what we
Another program gives high school
lack in size, we make up in profile,” says
teams the chance to play on the Arvest
Edelstein. “We’re good people doing
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