Easy Fund Raising Ideas

Archive for December, 2008

Question: a career in fundraising?

I’m thinking of starting a career in fundraising. It would be a small business helping local worthy causes. I was wondering what kind of licensing I need to have, also what sort of percentage would I earn?

Answer: I work with a company that can get you started and rolling as a professional fundraiser, with products and support to help you along the way. If you would like more info, email me back at [email protected]

AWEC Fundraising Video HD

Question: How to you get donations from corporations, community partners, and individuals for non-profit events?

Types of donations needed: Event settings – table, chair, linens, silverware, glassware; entertainment, MC, caterer, music, lighting, porta potties, alcohol, silent auction items, etc. This is needed for a gala fundraising event for college scholarships for our seniors and other school assistance.

Answer: Depends on your time line for the event, but usually asking works. Get a couple of people with the time and grab the yellow pages/business pages from your local telephone company.

Ask to speak to someone in their public relations or community relations department. Tell the person what you are doing, what is needed and by when. Then offer to come speak with them in person – make an appointment, don’t just drop in on them.

Here’s where your ‘team’ should split up the calling:
1 person calls caterers.
1 person calls large hotels (Marriott, Sheraton, Hilton, Hyatt, etc.)
1 person calls large non profits (American Heart Association, Cancer Society, etc.)
1 person coordinates the visits and does a ‘follow up’ series of calls to anyone that shows the least bit of interest to schedule the interviews.

Next, there should be one person who puts together a simple packet of information that includes: Who the program benefits (the people the scholarships will benefit); What items are needed; When the donantion will be needed (a draft of the event program will work); Where the event will be held with dates (this gives them some idea of a time line for their staff to work with).

What will really get them onboard? Tell them as a sponsor, their company’s information will be included on either a program or in some way they will benefit by getting involved. It doesn’t have to be a big thing either. I’ve used napkins donated by a printer with the name of a large hotel on them which got press coverage for – yep, the hotel and our event.

Since you’re not begging for money, you should have more than enough sponsors ready to pitch in.

Good luck.

“Are Corporations People?”: Larry Lessig on Campaign Finance Reform