Easy Fund Raising Ideas

Archive for February, 2011

Question: How do I start a calendar fundraiser for a non-profit organization?

I am a graphic artist | photographer and I have this idea of creating a calendar fundraiser. The calendar would feature the work of local models, hair stylists, makeup artists, clothing designers and jewelry designers collectively in the photographs. The overhead from the calendars would go to charity. I have not decided as to what charity the money would go to yet. I was going to put it to a vote at a later date.

Would I have to contact the charity and let them know of my plan, so I can get permission to use their name, logo and charity number?

If I just advertise that the money would go to charity, put it to a vote later and just donate to the charity with the highest vote at the end of voting…would that be all right? After the fundraiser is over I would post the calendar sales and donation receipt online as proof on my website.

If anyone has any experience with fundraising, I sure would appreciate your input.

Thank you.

Answer: A couple of issues:

You would donate “overhead?” or do you mean revenue after overhead is deducted?

If you want to use the name of a charity or their logo on the calendar or any promotion, you need their permission, in writing, before you can do so.

Anyone who purchases the calendar will only be able to deduct the actual amount that goes to the charity. And you must disclose that to ‘donors’ at the time of the purchase.

I think it would be a better idea to contact a charity that means something to you,and set this up with them. As a fundraiser, it would be much better to take and use pictures from their service. For example, if you want to raise money for a pet shelter, pictures of the animals they are sheltering and trying to save would be more compelling than flashy jewelry or hair styles, because honestly, your concept just sounds like a product/services catalog, and some charities might not want to be associated with blatant advertsing like that.

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Question: In our free country, owning a brothel is legal?

A top Taekwondo expert requires fundraising to the tune of $300,000, and has gone into partnership in a Brothel to raise said funds. A public outcry has followed even though this is a legal activity. If selling marijuana was legal, and he decided to do this for fundraising, the outcry would probably be similar.Alchohol and Smoking companies are banned from sports sponsorships; Govt help is non-existent; Then why cant this young man raise his own funds to gain a chance to the next Olympics, at his own efforts, without the moralistic PC mob leaping all over him?

Answer: He does not belong in the Olympics, he does not have the character to represent the decent people of the United States. Your friend should stick with the brothel business and forget athletics. You confuse legality with proper and desirable.

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