When you are a guest at a party, it’s only polite to bring a gift to the host. But when John Rohman, chairman of the National Folk Festival, throws a party at his upscale home in the historic district on Broadway in Bangor, the whole point is to bring a gift. Or in the jargon of philanthropy: make a gift.

Last Thursday, more than 50 people showed up at Rohman’s house for cocktails, privileged announcements about folk festival events, the unveiling of the official festival poster and the presentation of the new florescent festival T-shirt. Most of the guests had contributed to last year’s fund-raising campaign – an overall total of about $1.5 million, with an operating budget of $797,000 for the actual festival. Many will contribute again this year. Others were being invited to consider opening their checkbooks to support this year’s festival, which takes place Aug. 22-24 on the Bangor waterfront.

“We call it a ‘friend-raiser’ but it’s also a fund-raiser,” said Rohman. “When we get together for a party like this with selected guests, it’s a serious ask. Tonight’s the night to say we really appreciate all your company did and all you did individually, and here are some early announcements about what’s coming up. But within the next two to three days, they will all be asked to step up to the plate and support the festival again this year.”

To put this all in perspective, the cost of last year’s festival was $864,000. The projected budget for this year is just over $1 million, according to Heather McCarthy, coordinator of the festival.

The cocktail party, of course, is the most popular fund-raising catalyst and has been effective in inspiring local arts supporters to get behind the Folk Festival. The schmoozing and smiling, the free food and drinks, the samples of music acts playing loudly on the stereo all put people in an appreciative mood. The most powerful triggers of all, however, are the memories of dancing on the festival grounds or listening to live performances by top-notch music groups.

Last year, say organizers, the festival was a hard-sell. No one knew what to expect. But the first night was one of the most successful openers in the history of the event. Weekend participation exceeded hopes, drawing more than 80,000 participants – with more than 100,000 expected this year. Such information encourages growth and bolsters fund-raisers such as Rohman in their mission.

Nevertheless, times are hard, the line goes, especially with layoffs, a shaky stock market and a soft economy. Donors from the three major giving groups – individuals, businesses and foundations – have been overly tapped in the last decade, and particularly since 9-11. Arts institutions, in particular, have been hit hard.

It would make sense that giving belongs to the domain of the wealthy, but folk festival fund-raisers are stressing that the nickel-and-dime contribution is equally important.

True, the heavy hitters are expected to fork over more – and, by and large, they do. But organizers are also looking to other income groups for more modest donations.

Jan Owen, an artist in Bangor, attended the Rohman party as a member of the “Friends of the Festival” gift club, which encourages an initial donation of $25 for membership (most people give significantly more). Her family decided to earmark part of its discretionary income for the festival because, early on, she believed the event would be remarkable and worthwhile.

“Partly it was the enthusiasm,” said Owen. “That’s what got us last year. And because of that, we’ll do it again this year. It’s an important event in our community.”

If you ask Chip Hutchins, president and co-owner of Snow & Nealley Co., as well as a member of one of Bangor’s wealthiest families, why he signed up to give $50,000 each year for the three years of the festival, he quickly offers one word: “Community.”

“I’ve seen bigger communities in other states. I’ve seen what they can do. And I think we can do those things here in Bangor,” said Hutchins, a native of Bangor. “This has to be a community effort. There are those of us who can give at higher levels and should. There are those who can give at lower levels. It’s about participation, and that’s for everyone.”

The festival itself is free, Hutchins noted, and therefore the costs have to be met through generosity and a sense of community obligation.

Norm Ledwin, president and CEO of Eastern Maine Healthcare, expressed a similar view about the $25,000 annual contribution of his institution, one of the festival’s top five corporate sponsors. The others are Snow & Nealley, KeyBank, Bangor Savings Bank and the Bangor Daily News. The city of Bangor is also a big player, committing to $50,000 cash and additional support in services for each of the three years.

“We don’t do this to get visibility or prominence or our name in an article or on a poster,” said Ledwin. “We do it because we are part of the community. The people who come to us as patients are part of the community and we owe something back to them. It’s a corporate responsibility to give something to the community. It’s part of our mission.”

In addition to the monetary donation, EMH also provides medical support, security and interpreting services at the festival. Ledwin and his wife, Mary Ellen, were members of last year’s Bucket Brigade, a team of informal solicitors who walk through the crowd collecting pocket change and cash from festivalgoers. (The final take was $30,000, twice as much as expected.)

KeyBank didn’t commit to a three-year plan but gave $50,000 last year and has signed on for the same amount again this year. An out-of-state corporation, Key takes its residency in Maine seriously, representatives say. That’s why the company sent a local employee as well as one from Portland to Rohman’s party.

“The Folk Festival is a wonderful event that helps the local economy and brings the community together and that’s why we want to participate,” said Denise Sakal, statewide marketing director for Key. “We want to support things that are intrinsically Maine. There’s such pride in what Mainers do, and it’s part of our corporate and social responsibility to support them.”

At the beginning of the party, Rohman greeted guests by saying, “My wife, Lyndy, and I want to welcome you to our home. We love this place.” By the end, he was cheerily shaking hands, ones he hoped would soon be signing checks.