IDEAS FOR FUNDRAISING

Goose/duck hunting outing, Time, WSJ, National Enquirer),
Custom built dog house, Delicious desserts – one each month for
Private tennis party, 6-12 months,
Paperback basket(novel, comic books), “Spice It Up” basket
Assortment of Christmas cookies, (Italian/Chinese/French spices &
Stationary Basket, condiments),
Karate/self defense classes, Personalized directors chairs,
Stairmaster , Fresh flowers every month for one year,
Kaplan SAT test prep course , Sundae basket(sundae glasses, ice
Gift givers delight basket(wrapping cream scoop, nuts, cherries, sauces,
Paper, bags, invitations, stationary spoons),
Candles, cards, thank-you notes, tissue Golf basket,
paper, bows, ribbons, etc.), Treats for you car basket,
Cookout basket, Opportunity to cut your own Christmas
Handwriting analysis, tree,
Case of beer each month for one year, Flying lessons,
Clothing alterations, Kelly/Olsten/Manpower – one day
Tailgate party, clerical services,
Leaf raking for the fall, Case of wine,
Small appliances: electric can opener, Dunk tank rental,
blender, microcassette recorder, Rival Chocolate lovers basket ,
cookie factory, Presto Chip Shot
potato chipper, travel steamer, VCR
rewinder, electric steamer/rice cooker,
Salton snack ‘n sandwich machine,
answering machine, fax machine,

IDEAS FOR FUNDRAISING

When I copied this list, it got crammed together. Read carefully and put comma's in the proper place and you can get ideas for fundraising. Have fun.

IDEAS FOR FUNDRAISING

Golf lessons Western gift basket(western chili
Gourmet cooking class party, scarf, cowboy cup & saucer,
Ziebart detailing cookbook, chili mix)
Piano lessons Dinosaur basket(stickers, puzzles,
Scuba lessons stuffed dino, coloring book, crayons)
Picnic for 4 Soup for 4 basket(soup bowls, soup,
30-60 min. massage cornbread, checkered napkins)
Casserole(for 4) each month for year Bridge party
Horseback trail ride for 2 500 business cards or personalized
Rug/carpet cleaning stationary
House/pet/baby sitter service Landscape consultants
Case of pop each month for year Income tax prep
Gift certificate for dry cleaning Gardner’s basket(tool, potting soil,
TV station tour peat pots, seeds, gloves)
Dressmaking – custom made outfit Homemade maple syrup
5 cu. yds. of hardwood or pine 4 homemade pies
shredded mulch Basket of Cheer/New Year’s Eve basket
Conversational French/Spanish lessons (champagne, noise makers, streamers
Private swimming lessons confetti, etc.)
Basic cake decorating class Harrison Ford basket(his movies,
Pottery lesson fedora, popcorn, etc.)
Dump truck load of topsoil Design your dream home or remodel
Banjo/guitar lessons your present one – 2 hr. architectural
One year rental of safety deposit box consultation
One month unlimited Jazzercise classes Magazine subscriptions(Business Week,

FUNDRAISING FUN 101(CONT.)

7: What is your budget? Here you need to consider:
A: Printing of flyers & invitations & tickets & letters.
B: Mailing costs.
C: Music – if it is an indoor event.
D: Promotions
1: Flyers
2: Community calendar
3: Inserts(into bills such as telephone, electric, etc.)
4: Billboards –are there any available to charitable
events at a discounted cost.
5: Direct advertising in newspaper, on radio or T.V.
E: Sponsorship – how much of your budget can be covered
by sponsors?
8: What will your theme be? This applies mainly to sit down
dinners such as at an auction.
9: Does anyone have computer skills to record and keep track of
information such as sponsorship, donations, schedules, etc.
10: Decide your organizational plan- when to have meetings,
completion of various task, etc.
11: After the event, do a thorough debrief to decide what was
done right and what was missed and what needs to be
Improved for next year.

This is the 2nd part of a two part blog.

FUNDRAISING FUN 101(CONT.)

Duties and responsibilities of the committee.
1: The chairman with consultation of the committee members
should assign different functions to individual members.
Everyone will be working together, but one person must
keep his area of responsibility organized.
2: Decide the type of fundraiser. i.e. a golf outing, auction, stay
at home event. The group as a whole may have already
decided this. If not, the committee should.
3: Decide the target audience. This will help decide the ticket
price. $25 or $1000
4: Decide when to schedule the event. i.e. a golf outing should
not be scheduled in winter months in Duluth, MN., but this
may be the most appropriate time in Florida.
5: What kind of facility do you need? i.e. a golf course, a hotel,
a community center.
6: What are you food and beverage needs?

This is a 2 part blog. The next section will appear on Wed.

FUNDRAISING FUN 101

There is a concept with which the group should be introduced. This relates to the organization that is going to be the beneficiary of the proceeds of the fundraiser.
Linkage – what is the connection of the giver to the organization?
The closer the linkage, the more likely that person will
donate in a substantial manner.
Ability – how much is the donor able to donate financially.
Interest – why would the person be interested in the organization.

Remind your organization(the one putting on the fundraiser) that when they ask for a donation, the worst that can happen is that they say NO. They will not attack you for asking.

FUN-FUNDRAISING 101

We consider this a primer for FUN-FUNDRAISING. Fundraising is an on going learning process and never will be complete. This a starting point. Have FUN adding to the information.

Once your organization has decided that you want to do a fundraiser, you should:
1: Select a committee and assign a chairman.
2: Set a time frame to have the fundraiser-more about this later.
3: Establish a budget-more about this later.
4: In general define your objective.
5: The committee should have the full commitment of the
organization.

Once your organization has made the commitment to do a fundraiser, and you have decided on the type of fundraiser, you need to involve the entire organization in the fundraiser. Your committee will do the organizing and be the point on all aspects of the fundraiser, but group members can contribute greatly. For example – if you are going to have an auction, supply a list of potential donations and ask individuals to select ones they want to pursue –as they peruse the list, they will think of a friend, a relative, or a business associate that they can approach about the donation.

I was expecting some pictures from the "Off the Wall" fundraiser at the Art League, but have not received them as yet. We are preparing for a Casino night on 12 Feb. at the Hilton Hotel in Naples. Part of that fundraiser will include a silent auction. I have been working on getting items for that auction. Actually, even in this economy, I am not having any problem getting items. I have two introduction flights or sunset flights from the flight schools here in Naples. We have one gift that is 4 golfers to play at the Tuscany Reserve course. Several gift certificates and one afternoon on a pontoon boat. The main thing is to have ideas, and follow them up with requests. Once you have established a good recipient of the funds, getting items to auction is pretty easy. As we go along I will be laying out other ideas for auction. Take a positive mental attitude, be creative, and have fun with your fundraiser.

We attended the Bonita Springs "Off the Wall" fundraiser last night. The way the fundraiser works, is that each person purchased a ticket of admission for $150. Upon arrival we found many forms of artwork. Jewelry, sculpture, paintings, etc. If it was art, it was available. We went around looking at all the art and decided on the items that we would be interested in. Many people made lists of things they would like. After about 30-40 minutes(enough time to look at the art and then get something to eat) they began to draw numbers out of tumbling drum. As a persons number was called, they would choose the art item they were interested in. If your number was late and some of your selections had been claimed, you went on down your list. I ended up with an easel. I'm not an artist, but have a beautiful painting being shipped from Mexico and will use the easel to display the painting. Trinky got a package that include a beautiful bowel, a wood vase, and handmade earrings and bracelet. All in all, it was a fun evening and even though our first choice went before our number was called we had a good time. We heard a number 162. Multiply that times $150 and you see how much money can be raised. All the art was donated, and the Art League has their own building. They would have had only food, printing, and advertising as overhead. I will be posting pictures from the event the first of the week.

We saw a new way to raisie money and it sounds like a lot of fun so we rearranged our schedule and bought tickets to the Art League's "Off the Wall" fundraiser. The way the fundraiser will work is that everyone buys a ticket($150) for the event. They will have many pieces of art to view. As the evening goes along ticket #'s will be drawn and announced. When your ticket # is called, you get to choose from whatever art piece is available. Everyone goes home with a piece of art. The art league makes money. Everyone is happy. This event is Friday, Dec. 4th at the Art League facility. We will give you an update this weekend.

Trinky(the lady in the picture)(my significant other) and I are active members of Kiwanis. Trinky for two years, and me for 35+ years. There is always a fundraising activity in Kiwanis as well as every other organization that needs money. Trinky has be involved in formal fundraising for 12-15 years with great success and in almost every venue. She thinks fundraising for every function. We have teamed up to help other people to get ideas that will help them raise funds for their organization. The emphasis is to make fundraising FUN. If you don't like-love to do it, you probably won't be successful since it frequently involves a lot of work.
We aren't professional fundraisers, so approach this project from an OJT(on the job training) format. Most people trying to make money for their organization are not professional fundraisers. They just need some ideas and a few hints on how to make their fundraising more productive. As mentioned, fundraising should be fun. Not a job. We welcome any input as we go through the information that we will be sharing. Creativity is not limited to just a few. Join us as we go through our ideas and lets have some fun.