Thursday | May 24, 2012
Key Tips for Successful Fundraising
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By
Ginger Sevilla
15 September 2008
You’ve decided to do your civic duty and would like to give back to the community, perhaps through a fraternity, sorority, or another on-campus organization. Perhaps you’d like to provide books to underserved youth, or organize a trash pick-up on the beach. No matter what your cause, your cause needs funds, which means you need to become a fundraising superstar.
The first skill you must master to achieve fundraising superstardom is asking people for money. If you’re uncomfortable asking for money, remind yourself that you’re not asking for you, but for your cause. You are giving friends, family, and acquaintances the chance to be a part of something great that will change the world. Second, be persistent. Your best friend’s sister promised to donate but you have yet to see a check? Give her a ring! Most likely she was sincere, but hectic every day life gets in the way of good intentions, and she’ll appreciate the gentle reminder. Third, never underestimate the power of a handwritten note. Older generations still appreciate the personal touch of a handwritten note, especially when it’s accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Finally, planning, and planning early, is everything when organizing a fundraising event. Your local community is often very willing to donate services or goods to the success of your event, but remember that businesses need to time to get paperwork in order, approval from higher-ups, or time to write you into their schedules. The farther ahead you can plan for your event, the better your chances of success. If you turn donating into a business opportunity for local businesses (advertising, community awareness, etc), you’re likely to get an even better response.
At the end of the day, it is most important to keep your goal firmly in mind, and to believe passionately in your cause. Everything else will fall into place if you can successfully communicate your passion and convince potential donors of the worthiness of your cause.
Top 5 Fundraising Ideas
• Movie night at a local theater. Privately owned movie theaters are often willing to host a movie fundraiser. They’ll still make money off of concessions, and you can make between $2 to $4 per ticket sold. Your organization can even get free advertising on the marquee.
Tip: Local food advocates could show “Attack of the Killer Tomato.” Cult films draw the biggest audiences—even better if you can tie the film to your cause.
• Wine or beer booth at a local art and wine festival. Some art and wine festivals will rent the space to non-profits for free, others will rent for a nominal fee. Wineries, breweries, and local liquor stores are always willing to donate beverages, and you can raise public awareness of your organization at the same time.
Tip: Have wine glasses printed with your organization’s logo to sell with the tastings, or partner with a local winemaker and design your own wine labels for the event.
• Goods or services in exchange for a donation. Do you or others in your organization have a special talent or skill? Perhaps you make a killer cheesecake, or the world’s best dog treats. People who normally wouldn’t donate are often willing to donate when they get something in return.
Tip: Raising money for dog adoption? Offer dog walking services or gourmet dog treats.
• Fundraise through a local school. Elementary schools are often willing to partner with non-profit organizations to teach children about giving back to the community, and you’ll benefit from the fact that no one can say no to children.
Tip: Organize a lap-a-thon for the kids, with pledge sheets and an explanation of the fundraiser for donors. For each lap the kids run, their donors pledge a certain amount.
• Get creative. A Rotary club in Utah raises $20,000 a year doing the Tour de Donut. Cyclists must decide between eating donuts at every aid station to reduce their final time (a certain amount of time subtracted off the final time for each donut eaten), or try to ride fast enough to beat the donut-eaters.
Tip: Take advantage of the plethora of 5ks and 10ks, and organize one at your local park. If you’re fundraising for an animal cause, you could host a doggie parade or run.
Ginger Sevilla lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, and has previously written for Student Traveler, not to mention numerous humorous travel accounts and short stories for friends and family. She has lived all over the world, but her heart will always be in France and California. In her spare time, she enjoys training for her next triathlon, hanging out with Guide Dog for the Blind puppies, hunting for deals, and being a couch potato.
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