Fundraising.LifeTips.com

Transcription

1 Fundraising.LifeTips.com

2 Category: Fundraising as an Individual Subcategory: Fundraising as an Individual Tip: Creative Ways to Raise Money There are so many worthwhile causes to donate to, it can be tough to solicit money from people who may feel tapped out from all of the fundraising they encounter. Don t let this discourage you from working for a cause you believe in. Simply think outside of the box. When simple donation requests through letters, s and websites won t generate the money you want to raise, consider more creative methods. Car washes and bake sales are perennial favorites for school and youth organizations. Bring those ideas to your fundraising. Sell cookies and brownies at work. Enlist family and friends to help with a neighborhood car wash on the weekend. Like playing cards? Host a poker night at your home where all of the ante money is donated. The winner of the night gets a prize. If your birthday or anniversary is coming up, throw yourself a party and ask the guests to donate to your charity in lieu of giving gifts. Use a special talent, such as knitting or sewing, to create items for friends and family to buy as gifts for others or themselves. Host or attend a craft fair and sell items you made yourself. By promoting your wares in conjunction with your charity, people may be more inclined to purchase from you than another vendor. Host a yard or garage sale. Not only will you get rid of unwanted clutter, you ll make money for your cause. Post signs that the proceeds are going to charity and you may get less haggling on prices. Or, if you have time, sell your items on ebay. Take your recycling and your neighbors if they let you to a center that pays for it, rather than setting it out for collection. Contact local restaurants. Many chains and some privately-owned eateries will donate a percentage of dinner or lunch profits on a given day if you help promote the event. If you are fundraising around the Christmas holiday, set up a gift wrapping station at your home and advertise it like a yard sale. Paper and supplies can be purchased at discount and dollar stores. Don t let the idea of asking people for money deter you from raising funds for a good cause. By offering people a tangible reward for their donation even if it s just an evening of fun you may find that you can bring in even more money than by simply holding out your hand. Tip: You Don't Have to Be a Salesperson to Sell Successfully When raising money for a charity or event, even those without strong selling skills can be successful. When you believe in the cause for which you are campaigning, putting that passion to use will reflect in the money you are able to raise. Begin by putting aside the idea that you are asking people for money. Think of it as giving them a chance to be a part of something big. Whether you are raising funds for a benefit marathon, walk or dance, or simply to donate to people in need, show your potential donors what the end result is. If your event provides a personal web page for donations, customize it so that

3 it reflects you and why you are participating in the fundraising effort. Use photos and personal stories. If you are raising money on your own or the event doesn t have a site, look into a free blog site service and create your own web page. Then link the page to all of your social media sites. Send an or letter out to friends, family and business associates. Explain your reasons for getting involved. This is what will compel people to donate when they know you and understand your motivation, they will be more inclined to support you and help you succeed. For even more encouragement, include a self-addressed stamped envelope in your letters. Some people prefer to send checks rather than enter their credit card information online. Visit local businesses and ask to put a flyer in their windows promoting your cause, showing a local tie-in if one exists. Be prepared that some will have blanket policies against outside flyers, but many are more than happy to help local causes and events. You aren t asking them for money directly, but in addition to the donations you may get from their customers, the business owner or employees may also be inclined to help. Enlisting these personal but passive techniques can result in a successful fundraising campaign without ever having to give a sales pitch, call and beg or even sit down face-to-face with someone and ask them for money. Category: Grants Subcategory: Applications Tip: Before You Apply To write a competitive grant, the first step is often overlooked; know the reason you are writing the grant. If you don't know this, you will simply be chasing money, rather than actually advancing the mission of your institution. Tip: Dinner for Two Dinner for Two Eat, drink and be merry with the year round "Dinner Basket". Gather all your helpers (college students needing to fill there service credits are great) create a menu plan, roll up your sleeves and get ready to make a gourmet meal from your kitchen... Tip: Dinner for Two Dinner for Two Eat, drink and be merry with the year round "Dinner Basket". Gather all your helpers (college students needing to fill there service credits are great) create a menu plan, roll up your sleeves and get ready to make a gourmet meal from your kitchen...

4 Tip: Freebies Advertisers and graphic designers will sometimes donate their time and work for simply Name Recognition. Find someone local to work with, it is great for networking within your community. Tip: Freebies Advertisers and graphic designers will sometimes donate their time and work for simply Name Recognition. Find someone local to work with, it is great for networking within your community. Tip: Freebies Freebies! After your board or organization has endlessly brainstormed, debated over & over,thus finally agreeing on the venue and theme. Now you've got to get the word out! Advertisers along with graphic designers will sometimes donate their time and work for simply Name Recognition Find someone local to work with, it is great for networking within your community. Tip: No Label Option Depending on the cause your organization is promoting, utilize what in a home coincides with the cause. For instance you are promoting for the rights of individuals to have a home; you can purchase home fragrance candles from certain distributors w/out having the brand name on it. Request a no label option, the organization puts their name on it you simply place your label on it instead. It is a great way to generate extra funds that remind individuals about the cause. If candles don't light your fire, you can use the same no label option for a variety of items; soaps, t-shirts, wrist bands, bath products, even shoes. Remember keeping it creative and original will ensure that one comes back to you again and again. Tip: Primary Responsibility The primary responsibility of a fundraiser is to make MONEY, PROFIT and lots of it. The key is to be creative and most of all make it pleasurable to all involved from your volunteers (which will become your best friend) to the ones buying the tickets, making the donations (the ones with the deep pockets). If your event does not offer something in return chances are you'll loose money on the event. Most non-profits consist of wealthy individuals who sit on the board and create a limited budget for you to work within. Here's where you make it fun not stressful. We've all heard the term Champaign taste on a beer budget, utilized your assets, gather your buddies (dust off the phone book), and evaluate your talents, pre-plan 6 months ahead to ensure a successful event.

5 Tip: Primary Responsibility The primary responsibility of a fundraiser is to make money. The key is to be creative and most of all, make it pleasurable to all involved. If your event does not offer something in return chances are you'll loose money on the event. Tip: Primary Responsibility The primary responsibility of a fundraiser is to make money. The key is to be creative and most of all, make it pleasurable to all involved. If your event does not offer something in return chances are you'll loose money on the event. Tip: Sports Auction Let's face it people donate(give) more money if there is a chance and getting something in return; just look at the lottery would you spend 10 to 50 dollars a week if there was not a muti- million dollar pot? What most people don't know is every sports organization has a dept that is responsible for donating, signed balls, photos, hats, banners you name it's here what I know the list of contact names and direct lines to call. Every year this dept... Tip: Sports Auction Let's face it people donate(give) more money if there is a chance and getting something in return; just look at the lottery would you spend 10 to 50 dollars a week if there was not a muti- million dollar pot? What most people don't know is every sports organization has a dept that is responsible for donating, signed balls, photos, hats, banners you name it's here what I know the list of contact names and direct lines to call. Every year this dept... Tip: Vegas Baby Casino Night Let's be honest everyone loves to have a good time. When the funds need to be raised, create a casino night themed party. The big guys with the big bucks to the little guy on a budget all can participate, and feels equal. Set a min. donation amount at the door, everyone gets the same amount chips to play with (that's where no high rollers take over)... Tip: Vegas Baby Casino Night Let's be honest, everyone loves to have a good time. When the funds need to be raised, create a casino night themed party. Set a minimum donation amount at the door and allow everyone in with the same amount of chips to play with.

6 Tip: Vegas Baby Casino Night Let's be honest, everyone loves to have a good time. When the funds need to be raised, create a casino night themed party. Set a minimum donation amount at the door and allow everyone in with the same amount of chips to play with. Tip: Vegas Baby Casino Night Let's be honest everyone loves to have a good time. When the funds need to be raised, create a casino night themed party. The big guys with the big bucks to the little guy on a budget all can participate, and feels equal. Set a min. donation amount at the door, everyone gets the same amount chips to play with (that's where no high rollers take over)...