Article from Jacob Ackart

Any group that has ever had to generate funds knows that it is hard. What's a good starting point? What kind of event will be the highest earner?

The initial step in raising money is to set a monetary target. It's a good idea to work at earning more, but each person in the group may have a certain time frame in mind to stop. Establishing a monetary target helps everybody to see an end.

The amount required will determine the event requirements. A small amount of money can be earned daily with one type of event while a larger sum may require a more events or a more considerable and time consuming event.

Occasionally groups may delay a fundraising event because they lack volunteers or financing therefore making fundraising the last item on their agenda. You cannot delay fundraising until you are financially desperate. Choose a few events to turn into annual fundraising projects and then everyone will know the event is on the calendar and can plan accordingly. In particular, this helps members who have hectic schedules to plan ahead and it allows for donations or spread out budgeting.

Some ideas for annual fundraisers, many of which are (or can be) free or low cost:


Recycling ink cartridges
Bake sale
Book fair (or other kinds of fairs)
Penny drive
Silent auction
Fun run
Game show
Candy fundraisers

While fundraising, always be mindful to keep event time under control. Many event organizers make a mistake in judgment by extending the event thinking that will increase their returns, when the reverse is often true. For the best fundraising results, the organizers must keep the program moving at a rapid pace and generating energy. If you have more than a few activities arranged prepare them separately in order to keep the event moving and with a bigger turnout.

Planners should try and gather some incentives for the volunteers. The incentives can be as straightforward a "thank you" bag or t-shirt as a reminder of the occasion but they can even be as generous as a hard cash gift or paid vacation for the highest earning volunteer. Generally, non-cash prizes or gifts work better than cash. It's not clear why that is, but it may be that the gift or prize is something that a volunteer wouldn't normally buy for themselves.

Keep in mind that a volunteer and donor database should be maintained so that future fundraising events will be less work and easier. Plus, it's always easier to get repeat volunteers and donors than to try to recruit new ones - that is, as long as they feel appreciated. To show that appreciation, don't forget gifts and/or thank you notes for your volunteers too.

Jacob Ackart is an active volunteer who's been involved in many fundraisers for non-profits, from small to large. Please visit Fund-Raising-Ideas-Center.com to get more fundraising ideas and tips.

CHARITABLE GIVING

Fundamentally, fundraising is for charity. I recently recieved my copy of "Imprimis" which is a free publication from Hillsdale college and can be ordered for Hillsdale.edu. The article is by Adam Meyerson and should be read completely. My comments here, taken from the article, are very limited and can best be understood by reading the entire article.
Mr. Meyerson discusses early contributions to start Hillsdale College. There were lessons to be learned from that experience. 1. Throughout our history, Americans from all walks of life have given generously for charitable causes. The most generous people per unit income are the working poor. 2. Appeals are made to peoples ideals and aspirations and their religious principles. 3. The tradition of private generosity in America has always been central to our free society.
Americans are the most generous people on the earth. Last year $300 billion was given to charity. He outlines three reasons Americans are the most giving. 1. We are the most religious people of any leading modern economy. The most important determinant of charitable giving is active religious faith and observation. 2. We respect freedom. Americans don't wait for goverment or local nobleman to solve our problems, we find solutions ourselves. 3. Philanthropy is such an important part of our nations business culture. Benjamin Franklin founded the first volunteer fire dept. Andrew Carnegie founded community libraries all over the country. Bill Gates is trying to eradicate malaria.
There are threats to charitable giving. 1. One-size-fits-all governance and regulatory proposals that would limit the diversity and independence of the charitable world. 2.Congress has an obligation to ensure that philanthropic assets advance the public good. 3. Goverment should not pass laws that pick winners and losers in philanthropic giving. Our federal and state governments for their part, should respect and defend the freedom that is vital to the American tradition of generous giving.

TIME LINE

After you have decided what you are going to do for a fundraiser, established a budget and set a date, it is vital that you set a TIME LINE. Write down every facet of your program. Assign a time to have each section or facet completed - both a beginng and a finish time. Then plot these on a chart with specific dates and times. As you work through the various facets, mark them off. This is especially important for your promotion program. If you follow your time line, the event will go smoothly and you will have less grey hair. Have fun.