Cooperation

• Recruit social workers to help you choose children for the project. Not all children are comfortable participating in the Heart Gallery.
• Recognize team members’ best skills. If one member is good at networking and another at editing, assign tasks accordingly.
• Reach out for help from within the local community.
• Recommend that foster parents and social workers will help prepare children for, and support them during, the project.
• Request the input of others; it makes them feel more involved and invested, and may help you do your job better. Ask others for contacts and referrals.
• Rally those involved! Keep everyone informed on the progress and outcome of the event.

Contributions

• Locate your exhibit venue by promoting the public relations benefits of the exhibit (the venue is named in ads and media coverage). The venue does not have to be a gallery. All you need is ample and attractive space, easy access, and plenty of parking.
• Lead your request with your most professional or captivating portraits. They inspire people to donate and can be scanned for use in press releases, print ads, and other materials.
• Link with prospective donors via a faxed request, phone call, or personal visit and be specific about what you’re requesting.
• Laud sponsors in writing and at the event.

Coverage

• Take time to locate a media guide that lists your state’s press contacts.
• Tailor your request to each media source. A good “hook” is an interview with someone who has/was adopted, or is otherwise sympathetic to child welfare issues. Establish contact early so you have time to build interest.
• Target several children who can serve as “spokeskids.” They should be able to interact with reporters and photojournalists and speak briefly at the event.
• Think national and local. One can often lead to the other.
• Tell radio stations and television stations about the event. Some may give you free time to talk, especially if you purchase some advertising spots and show producers the portraits’ artistic and human appeal.

Celebrities

• Go through proper channels. Call the Screen Actors Guild at 323-954-1600 for contact information (agents, managers, etc.). Celebrities who live in the area near the event are most likely to attend.
• Gather celebrities who have a reputation for being involved with nonprofit organizations or who have a connection with children’s issues, especially adoption or foster care.
• Generate a request letter to tell the contact about your organization, the purpose of the event, and exactly what will be asked of the celebrity. Fax the letter to the celebrity contact.
• Grant the celebrity permission to speak or perform. Plan for adequate space and refreshments to accommodate your expected audience. Although including a celebrity involves more work, it can increase your event’s visibility in the eyes of the public and the press.

Sample print material (Acrobat PDF format)

• Action Plan from Minnesota Heart Gallery
• Invitations
  • Sample 1
  • Sample 2
  • Sample 3
• Newspaper insert
• Press release
• Photo release
• Photographer’s agreement from Arizona Heart Gallery
• Photographer’s agreement/protocol from Minnesota Heart Gallery
• Program (999KB)
• Print ad
• Marketing leave-behind for potential sponsors from Orange County Heart Gallery
• Marketing how-to-help for potential sponsors from Orange County Heart Gallery

If you have further questions about starting a Heart Gallery please see contacts listed from other states.

While out doing your shopping stop by the food court and take a look at our Heart Gallery! Just click the QR code located on each child’s biography to learn more about each child’s personality and interests. You may be the perfect match!

Sign up to become a venue

About the Program

We are offering an opportunity to be a part of the Heart Gallery of Lane County in a simple way. All we are asking is your willingness to find some space for us. We are designing and providing the set-up for custom displays according to each child’s interests in hope that your customers will consider adopting these children into their lives. Displays can include pictures, DVD loops, items representing the child’s interests and informational materials. They can range from a single easel to an entire storefront window display. Do you have room in your store and your heart to give a child a chance?

Advocate for Children

Take on a special commitment to advocate for one particular child, sibling group or small group of children with similar interests or ages. You don’t have to make a financial commitment, just an emotional commitment to show this child in a positive light in your place of business. We ask for a commitment of a month per display.

Example Galleries

Involve your place of business in mentoring

• Teach a skill to our mentor youth, or a class of them.
• Sponsor a child’s portrait for a year. You will receive notices as your child is placed and another enters your sponsored frame.
• We are always in need of in-kind donations for our venues and opening.
• Give your employees time to be a mentor!
• Inserts in company hand-outs or newsletters
• Join our special recruitment effort and be a business advocate for a waiting child.
• Your business takes on a special commitment to advocate for one particular child.
• Display a portrait of one child in your business or store window we will provide materials that allow you to direct people as to where they can get more information about adopting this child.

How will my business be recognized?

Contact Us

If you are a case worker wanting to exhibit a professional photo of a child in a heart gallery please fill out our referral form.

Featured Gallery! Click Here to Host a Gallery A Family For Every Child 1675 West 11th Avenue Eugene, Oregon 97402 (541)-343-2856 photos@afamilyforeverychild.org