Fundraiser Ideas and Events » ABC’s of Fundraising

Fundraiser Didn’t Yield Enough Income?

FundraisingIP.com — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 17:39:09 +0000

Having a fundraiser that is less than successful can really bring you and your group down. You’ve all put a lot of time and effort into your project to see it succeed. So when your fundraiser doesn’t yield enough income, it can be very tempting to wallow in self-pity and just give up. Unfortunately, nothing gets accomplished that way. Instead, you need to identify the problem and find solutions.

No Time To Be Discouraged

There are a host of reasons why fundraisers don’t yield the income you need them too. Your task now is to find out why, and take steps to recoup your losses. After all, you had a mission and a goal, and unless something major has changed, your need for funds has not.

You’ve probably earned the right to a momentary self-pity party. Allow yourself that moment, but keep it short and sweet and not too negative – you still have work to do!

Appreciate that everything is not always in your control, see what you can do to make the best of the situation, and brainstorm some ideas that can help save your fundraising project.

Tips For Recovering From An Unprofitable Fundraiser

Placing blame is pointless and entirely counterproductive. Finding out what went wrong and taking positive steps to remedy your situation will give you the chance to save your fundraising program so that you can find the profit you need now and in the future.

• First, try to pin point exactly why your fundraiser didn’t generate enough income. Was the problem with the product? Organizational? Not enough help? Is your fundraiser dated and stale? Was your timing off?

• Next, work with your group of volunteers to fix your problem. Make this a group effort, get member input, and work cooperatively.

• Optimize your volunteer base. Maybe you’ve assigned jobs to volunteers based on availability only, which will work to a point. But you would lose out if you have a volunteer with excellent communication skills making poster boards, when they could be helping writing letters or recruiting other volunteers.

• Look for other ways to either cut costs or organize mini fundraisers. Hold on-hand sales at area events if you have been left with costly inventory, downsize your project so that you can do with less, ask area donors for in-kind donations of supplies rather than cash.

• Make changes to your funding schedule so that you don’t need as much cash now and you can take the time to put on a really good fundraiser next time.

• Realize your own limits and make sure you and your group are working within them – don’t burn yourselves out!

• If you are convinced your fundraiser is good, save the ideas and materials and put off the project until a better time.

• If the fundraiser just isn’t worth the effort, scrap it and move on to something more promising!

Whether you are a leader or a group member, stay positive and keep your eye on your goal. Remind yourself and your group that you are doing a great thing trying to raise money for this good cause. Be confident, and reflect that to your peers and supporters. And as the old saying goes…try, try again!

Put The Fun Back Into Your Fundraiser!

Resources For Starting Your Fundraising Season

FundraisingIP.com — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:28:49 +0000

Maybe you’re already knee deep into your Fall fundraising activities, or you’re still in the beginning stages lining up volunteers and deciding on fundraising products and strategies. In any case we hope the following list of some of the most popular resources on FundraisingIP.com will help you save money and time and make your fundraising season a success!

Use checklists

If you’re still in the planning stages for this season, our collections of checklists may help you decide which fundraiser might be the most appropriate, help you establish clear goals for your fundraising efforts, or help you get organized when planning your next fundraising event. Are you ready to get started with social media? Before you send your first tweet, plan ahead with our social media strategy checklist. Or maybe this year is the year your group will apply for non-profit status? Our checklist will give you a basic overview of steps that have to be taken to start a non-profit.

Save money

Every year the need to be more efficient with your resources becomes even more important and you can start by saving money on your phone services and other office related costs. If you’re running a website browse the free website tools section over at Rankraiser.com for free resources to manage and optimize your website.

Write donation request letters and thank you letters

If you need some inspiration for your next donation request letter, click over to our fundraising letters category. You’ll find free-to-copy fundraising letters, sample thank you letters and writing guides.

Get organized

Are you using swipe files for your group? Swipe files are simply a collection of your ads, fundraising letters, slogans etc. Using swipe files can be a huge time saver for your next fundraising season and help tremendously when you have a new group of volunteers to work with every year. If you haven’t used them yet, why not start this year?

Also consider evaluating whichever fundraiser you’re going to run now after it’s completed. Our post fundraiser checklist may help with that. Just like with swipe files, evaluating each fundraiser and establishing what worked and what didn’t can save a lot of time when it comes to planning your next fundraiser.

Align your marketing efforts

Does your group use social media marketing yet? Whether you’re using Facebook or Twitter or any other social media account, be sure to align and coordinate your online marketing efforts with your traditional marketing efforts. This will assure a more consistent and targeted marketing message.

More fundraising ideas

We continuously update our fundraising ideas and events category – how about a wine tasting fundraiser this year? Or browse through our list of fundraising ideas, which include ratings on earnings potential and fun factor!

If you’re planning on taking part in an online charity contest, read about the Pepsi Refresh Project here.

Are there other resources you’d like to see on FundraisingIP.com? Please let us know!
We wish you a successful fundraising season!

Tapping Community Volunteer Resources

FundraisingIP.com — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:55:48 +0000

Small fundraising organizations often suffer from a lack of available volunteer resources; even large organizations have difficulty finding enough volunteers at times. A lack of volunteers can severely limit the scope of fundraising efforts, and in turn the amount of funds raised.

The good news is that small and volunteer-poor organizations have a larger well of volunteers available to them than they might think. A given organization is not limited strictly to group members; there are family and friends that might be willing to lend a hand, and community resources to be tapped as well.

So where can a group in need of volunteers look for help?

First off, look for groups who require their members to complete community service as part of their membership or a class requirement. The local high school or college is an excellent place to start! Places to turn to for potential volunteers:

• High school, middle school, and local college student groups. Honor societies, student councils, and student governments regularly include community service as a requirement for membership.
• School Civics classes. Many schools include community service and volunteer work as an assignment for class completion for Civics and other classes; some schools have even made community service a requirement for graduation.
• Youth groups, church groups, and municipal youth/recreation centers. Again, these groups often trade their free membership for community activity; those that do not make it a requirement may still support community service and be happy to help you find volunteers among their members.
• Social Service Agencies. Sometimes social service agencies require children in their care to complete community service, especially if the youngster has landed themselves in trouble. The children in these types of programs are generally not serious offenders, and they might be a great resource for helping run event-related activities such as a fair or carnival.
• Local businesses. Not all businesses have cash resources available to donate to worthy causes, but in return for some good PR, local businesses may be willing to donate their services.
• Town Government. Just like local businesses, government officials have a vested interest in positive PR and the betterment of their community.
• Partnering charities. If your group is deemed worthwhile, other philanthropic charities may be willing to partner and help you out; they may be willing to do so in exchange for future help with their projects.

If you’ve tried all of these angles and still find yourself without an adequate response, appeal to your community through flyers, media, and word-of-mouth. Willing volunteers are out there, you just have to find them! If you tap your community for help and get the word out to those who are able, your community will surely respond.

Hiring A Fundraising Consultant

FundraisingIP.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:09:29 +0000

Fundraising consultants are hired by large and small organizations to help with their campaigns. If you think your organization may benefit from working with a fundraising consultant, there are several things to consider:

What Is A Fundraising Consultant?

A fundraising consultant is an individual (or company) whom your organization can contract with to run the fundraising campaign for you. The exception to this would be if your organization is investing a salary into a full- or part-time employee whose position is created expressly for fundraising (possibly incl. grant development), should your organization have such a need. A fundraising consultant can analyze your organization’s needs, suggest appropriate fundraisers, and/or conduct the entire campaign, including marketing your fundraiser. Consultants do not help with the actual fundraising; they simply direct the volunteers who carry out the fundraising efforts. Typically fundraising consultants are paid a fee for their work. (The fee paid can be a percentage of the campaign’s profits, but this may raise ethical questions.)

What Are The Advantages Of Hiring A Fundraising Consultant?

Fundraising consultants are experts at raising funds; that is the number one advantage they have over lay-volunteers. In addition, your organization will benefit from:

* Having an unbiased, professional assessment
* Being able to clearly set realistic goals
* Vast knowledge of fundraising options
* An experienced professional who can help volunteers make effective phone calls, draft letters, and more
* Streamlined volunteer assignments which promote efficiency
* Fewer mistakes which may translate into higher profits
* Well-designed campaign materials
* Targeted marketing techniques
* Skilled negotiations with product or service suppliers
* Education and direction that can be passed on after the consultancy has ended

What To Consider When Hiring A Fundraising Consultant

Be aware that your fundraising consultant will be quite visible to donors, group members, and companies involved in the fundraising campaign. Your consultant will be a face for your organization – hire accordingly.

When choosing the right consultant for your group, take several factors into consideration:

* What size, type, and scope of fundraiser can the consultant handle?
* Does the consultant have a good reputation (talk to references and other groups)?
* What ideas do they have for your group? Do they have suggestions for your specific situation? (For ex., what if your main supporters aren’t giving at the rate you have counted on?)
* Can they back up their claims with financial data from past campaigns?
* Is the consultant insured or bonded?
* Does the consultant check out with state, federal, or better business agencies?
* What is the bid on the job?

Of course, your first concern is whether a consultant is really needed or financially feasible: On the one hand, a consultant will cost you a portion of your proceeds, but on the other, a failed fundraising campaign may not earn you anything at all. Decide if your group can handle the task ahead. If your situation indicates that you can make money by spending money, hiring a fundraising professional may be just right for your group!

Get The FundraisingIP.com Fundraising Widget!

FundraisingIP.com — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 18:10:31 +0000

Do you or does your group have a website?

Now you can keep your visitors easily up-to-date with the latest fundraising information by placing our fundraising widget on your website!

The widget automatically displays the 10 most recent fundraising articles, news, how-to information, interviews etc. as they are posted on our website.

How do I install the fundraising widget?

To have our fundraising widget displayed like this:

—

Simply copy and paste the following code where you’d like the widget to appear – done! There is no designing or programming involved:

If you have problems with installing this widget, please contact us.

2008 Recap: Most Popular On FundraisingIP.com

Fundraising And Affordabilty

FundraisingIP.com — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:13:27 +0000

There’s a lot to be considered when planning a fundraising campaign: what to sell (if anything), how to sell it, when, and what supporter interest in a product or service will be. The answer is different for every organization or group given their budget, resources, personnel, and money needs. But one of the most important considerations is affordability.

Affordability is a concern for the organization and the consumer.

Can Your Organization Afford It?

Organizations and groups have to choose fundraisers that they can organize and manage given their volunteers’ experience and skills. Sometimes this means weighing whether or not hiring a fundraising consultant might be beneficial for your group. On one hand, consultants will take a cut of the profits, but on the other, groups without a large support base may struggle without one. Hiring a consultant to help plan and run your fundraising campaign may greatly boost your profits.

Another consideration is selling power. Organizations and groups have to know how many volunteers they can count on to take orders and get products delivered. An organization with many sellers can sell a lot of something small and succeed, but a group with few volunteers will have to choose products that can be sold by just these few volunteers. This directly impacts what is sold and if the products have to be sold person-to-person, or from a table or booth for example.

Organizations and groups also have to decide whether they can afford to buy product ahead of time, or if they cannot afford any upfront expenditures at all. There are plenty of fundraising tactics and products that can be sold in either case. If a group cannot afford to buy products ahead of time, their campaign might have to focus on order-taking rather than on-hand or cash and carry sales.

As an alternative to selling products, or planning an event, sending out a donation request letter simply asking for your supporters’ help may also be effective. Keep in mind that an online fundraising campaign can also be started with no or very limited funds. Direct donation requests and online fundraising campaigns can be used at any time when funds or volunteers are sparse, or in addition to your usual fundraising campaign. A simple fundraising campaign that can be held by a group with many or just a few volunteers is at Insider Pages.

Affordability For The Consumer

Every fundraising campaign has to consider product or service affordability when choosing fundraisers. Products have to be priced reasonably and appeal to your supporters. Otherwise, sales will be severely limited.

Supporters are willing to pay a little more than retail for some products in order to give to a worthy organization, but they are not willing to grossly overpay for a product or accept inferior quality.

When choosing a fundraising product or event, consider the following:

- Will there be a large number of sellers or helpers? If so, you can make a lot by selling many low priced items (like candy bars or lollipops), or planning an event that offers low and moderately priced rides or activities.

- Are there a limited number of sellers or helpers? Take extra care to choose products or events with a higher profit margin that are still affordable to your supporters.

When determining consumer affordability, it is helpful to remember that if your supporters are buying a product they will need anyway, the product becomes more affordable to them. For example, coffee is a grocery item that most households buy anyway, so it may have wide appeal; the same is true of other grocery items like snacks and seasonal necessities like wrapping paper.

In addition, it is worth remembering that supporters are likely to be tapped for several groups’ fundraising campaigns throughout the year. Giving your supporters an affordable way to support your group may assure that some of their available funds will go to your group.

Affordability of a fundraiser for your group is a fundamental concern, but your group will benefit if you consider budgets of your supporters as well.

More Tips For Choosing The Right Fundraiser

Plan For Big Profits: Planning Tips For Fundraisers

FundraisingIP.com — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:28:58 +0000

Having the reins of the fundraising wagon passed on to you can be a daunting and overwhelming task. If you are new to the position, or even if you have been involved in a fundraising campaign that needs some new ideas, you’re sure to find yourself wondering where to start.

More than any other piece of advice you will receive from seasoned fundraising professionals and successful fundraising chairpersons, you will hear one thing – plan. The key to your fundraising success is in the planning!

Elements Of Successful Fundraiser Planning

Regardless of whether your fundraiser is to benefit a church group, elementary school, high school, dance class, or senior center, there are basic elements of planning that will ensure a well organized fundraising campaign and ultimate fundraising success. Follow these fundraising tips to get yourself situated from the start.

* Know your organization’s needs. Know how much money is needed and for what purpose. Know when the funds will be needed by.

* Analyze your organization’s manpower and resources. Estimate how many members and family members will volunteer to sell and lend administrative support. Poll volunteers to determine your available skills base and choose a fundraiser that fits in with your available skill set.

* Analyze past fundraising experiences. This will include researching former fundraising records and talking to past organizers and volunteers. Find out what sales and events were successful and which were flops; try to determine why failures failed.

With this information in hand, choose a fundraising method and/or product that promises to be a good seller and a manageable undertaking given the skills and constraints of your group. Keep your expectations and goals realistic.

Planning is key to your fundraising success!

* Set a clear, obtainable goal. Put a dollar figure to the amount you need to raise. Keep volunteers apprised of your success.

* Organize your help. No one person can single-handedly run a successful fundraiser; it takes a village. Assign responsibilities to volunteers without overtaxing anybody. Make sure job assignments are clear, including time expectations.

With an organized structure in place, delegate. Then delegate some more. Share the load and support each other. Also, plan for contingencies when someone cannot meet their commitment.

* Plan rewards and incentives. A little motivation can go a long way towards encouraging people to stick with the task. Set aside money for a little ‘Thank You’ such as small prizes or a volunteer appreciation party at the end of your campaign.

Planning can get lost in the initial excitement of raising funds for a great cause, but without this essential step, your fundraiser will be disorganized and unfocused. Prepare your fundraising campaign to be the best that it can be and in the long run, your good planning and attention to detail will surely show in the form of increased fundraising profits!

For some help with planning, print out one or more of our fundraising checklists.

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Why Fundraising Is Important

FundraisingIP.com — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:30:37 +0000

It seems obvious why fundraising is important: to raise funds for needed items, services and programs. Yet, raising funds has so many other benefits besides the obvious.

Often, budgets get cut, or less than ideal family situations mean that children have to go without things or activities that their classmates receive, and later life opportunities may be diminished because of it. There are, unfortunately, needs of great variety all around us, and fundraising will most likely be an aspect of our lives for generations to come. But raising funds for a cause has a lot more benefits than taking care of an obvious monetary need.

Unexpected benefits

Fundraising is important for a variety of other reasons as well. For example, it allows the children or other recipients of the funds (or what they purchase) to feel some pride of ownership. In many cases, the beneficiaries of funds that are raised are able to feel not as if they have received ‘charity,’ but as if they have actually earned the item or experience that the funds have provided. What better way to help a person to feel empowered than to allow them to help raise the funds needed for a cause that will benefit them?

Fundraising can make a huge impact

In the growing pressure from government to “do more with less,” it is unfortunately true that the way that many schools and communities are doing this is to cut out the programs that they deem as not being essential. This often means that many childhood experiences will be lost as well. Field trips to see the capital, to perhaps stand for the first time inside a museum, or to attend their first play or concert, would be lost without many fundraising programs. On top of that art programs at the schools themselves, like music, theater and visual arts, are often the first area where cuts are made.

This has a much greater impact on society than one might realize at the time. For example, it’s been tested and proven many times, that children who receive music instruction score higher in math classes. This means that art clearly supports other areas of learning. And what about the sense of accomplishment and raised self esteem that being creative can bring?

Learn to help others

Fundraising is one aspect of engaging children in civic minded activities from a young age. It creates awareness in a young person that they are part of a community, and that this position entails a certain amount of responsibility and also self empowerment. When they are raising funds for other segments of society, it teaches them to appreciate what they have and to understand that they have the ability, even from a young age, to help others.

It is a fact that children who participate in civic or public service from a young age are more likely to carry on with that type of work into adulthood. On the other hand, if young people are being helped by others who are doing fundraising for a cause that affects them, they understand that there are people who care about them outside of their immediate circle. This can help them to have a greater sense of self-esteem and self-worth, which can lead to better life choices overall.

As hard and frustrating as raising funds can be at times, let’s not forget the huge impact it can make for generations to come!

On that note, we wish you great success and good luck with your next fundraising campaign!

To help you plan for your next fundraiser, start by setting clear goals, and read about tips for choosing the right fundraiser.

Using Demographics To Target Fundraising Supporters

FundraisingIP.com — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:39:47 +0000

Demographics – statistics and summations of fundraising populations – can be useful tools for targeting fundraising efforts. Making the most of fundraising demographics entails research and effective utilization of the statistics available.

Today’s Fundraising Demographics

Fundraising demographics are wide and varied and, like every year, come with some changes and surprises:

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Giving Statistics for 2007, private individuals and “household donors” make up the greatest proportion of charitable gifts (about 83%)

Corporation grants and donations are good sources of funding, but make up only about 17% of all fundraising gifts and donations

Individuals tend to choose a valued organization or effort and annually give to them; there is little shift from year to year between what groups receive what percentages of donations

By cause, religious/faith-based groups, education-based groups, and human services organizations top the list for donations received, respectively

Arts donors’ contributed the highest shares of their income, 2.1%.

The so-called “baby-boomers” comprise one of the largest percentages of donors by generation

Women are increasingly becoming the most charitable sex (in part because of increased income and affluence among women independently)

From the US Department of the Interior website.

Demographics are often used to target a specific, well-off segment of the supporting public so groups can plan campaigns accordingly, but they can also be used to see what donors are donating, not just who is giving the goods (because not all donations are cash donations). Fundraising demographics can be used to target a pool of potential volunteers and group members as well, which is essential to furthering any fundraising cause.

The demographics above are only the tip of the statistical fundraising iceberg. There are a number of demographics available from data collection services and agencies which can be tapped by organizations with specific goals, but…

A Word Of Caution Concerning Fundraising Demographics

Relying too heavily on fundraising demographics can be limiting. Some groups tend to be too specific in targeting fundraising efforts and miss a large segment of willing volunteers and supporters. As Terrence Fernsler says in a review in the “Nonprofit World” (Volume 14, No.4), “it can be a mistake to rely too heavily on demography.” For most fundraising groups, smaller organizations, schools, and teams in particular, appeals should be wide-reaching and inviting of all willing supporters. It would be nice to think that there was a magic population demographic to suit every funding need, but in reality the base is a mix for the majority of groups.

Unless it is known that a target population is very well-off and very willing to give, groups should be careful about putting all their eggs into the fundraising demographics basket. Demographics certainly have a usefulness and purpose, but taking them as gospel to fundraising success is risky. Fundraising planners need to incorporate fundraising demographics with past successes and failures to arrive at an equation that will equal fundraising success.

For more articles relating to supporters and donors, visit our “Donors” category.

Deciding How To Spend Fundraiser Profits

FundraisingIP.com — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:10:04 +0000

Most fundraising groups go into fundraisers knowing what they want or need to spend their funds on. Having that goal is of course very helpful to boosting the success of the fundraiser.

When it is all said and done though, and it comes time to disperse and spend fundraiser funds, fundraising committees sometimes find themselves a little unsure of where to start. Responsible spending of fundraiser profits requires planning and examination. Be sure to work closely with your tax adviser, so you’ll be able to take advantage of any new tax laws and get the most out of your hard earned profits.

Determine How Much Is Really Profit

Before you can spend fundraiser profits, you have to carefully examine fundraiser records and receipts and decide how much cash you can actually spend, and isn’t owed to any vendors for example, or other creditors:

Determine both major and incidental costs of everything, including all supplies
Make sure you have cleared all debts/receipts and paid all reimbursements
Know how much of your profits is committed elsewhere:
- Do you need to deposit a certain amount into an organization account?
- Does a certain amount go to a PTO or other partner?
- Is money to be contributed to individuals or scholarships?
Know how much needs to be saved or paid to cover any tax responsibilities (if you do not know, consult your group’s tax adviser)

Take your time when managing your group's finances.

Save For The Future

It’s great to have big money to spend on the never-ending needs of your organization, but starting every year at zero makes it harder than it needs to be:

Allocate a certain amount or percentage to fund future fundraisers, such as pre-buying product. This opens bigger and better options for future fundraising campaigns.
Allocate a certain amount or percentage to fund larger organization projects and interests

Spending Your Fund Raiser Profits

Spend fundraiser profits responsibly to stretch your hard-earned dollars as far as possible and retain as much as possible for other/future projects:

Know your tax exemption status. If you are tax exempt, you should have an ID number which you can present to retailers and suppliers so you don’t have to pay sales tax. This can be a big savings, especially on big-ticket purchases.
Shop around. There are many suppliers waiting to sell to you. Keep in mind, that just because a seller may be a ‘school supply’ they may not have the best prices. Get quotes from several sellers and let them know you are shopping around.
Ask for a discount. For a good cause, you’ll often find a retailer is willing to cut the price and give you a good deal.

Having a little something left over for flexible purchases and future fundraisers is a good thing, but you’ll want to talk to a tax adviser about it. Depending on your organization, your tax exempt status, and the amount of excess funding, you may need to spend money within a certain time frame (before year’s end) in order to avoid taxes and penalties. At every step, having a good tax adviser will ensure smooth sailing when meeting tax responsibilities and allocating and spending fundraiser profits.

Find more articles like this one in our ABCs Of Fundraising category.

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Drafting Volunteer Job Descriptions

FundraisingIP.com — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:02:38 +0000

Job descriptions for volunteers are recommended by many fundraising consultants and industry experts as an aid to volunteers, an organizational tool, and a preventative for volunteer burnout. Volunteer job descriptions let people know exactly what is required of them if they sign up for a specific fundraising job, so volunteers can plan accordingly and only take jobs they are confident they can complete.

But even though volunteer job descriptions come highly recommended, few organizations actually take the time to draft them. The reason for this is two-fold: drafting each description takes time, and many fundraising leaders don’t know how to write them.

Not knowing how to write a fundraising volunteer job description shouldn’t deter you from drafting one – any attempt is better than not having one at all. The following guide will aid in drafting the needed components in a description for the benefit of and as a resource for all involved.

- First, name the job; something simple and defining of the responsibility

- Next, offer a concise but detailed description of the job, including responsibilities and required skills; ask former job holders for details (or even ask them to write the description); when available, ask former job holders to proof the final version for accuracy

- List an estimate of the amount of time the job will take to complete; where applicable, break time requirements down by task. This helps volunteers decide if they have the time to fulfill an obligation at a glance

- Estimate the length of the job commitment (a day, a week, a month or more…); this also helps volunteers match jobs to their busy schedules

- State the deadline the job must be done by; some jobs will require early deadlines if they involve planning and organizing, and others will be far off in the future if for selling, event participation, follow-up, or donor recognition

- List who will help with the job

- Tell the volunteer where they can go for more help and advice if they should get stuck on a task (the name and number of a past volunteer is ideal if they are willing)

- Include contact information for committee leaders in case an emergency arises or a volunteer is otherwise unable to complete their assigned task

Admittedly, drafting job descriptions for every volunteer position within a fundraising campaign is time consuming. Keep in mind, however, that the hardest work is in the initial drafting. After that, descriptions can be revised and updated from year to year. One way to lessen the burden of the task is to ask each current job volunteer to draft the description at the completion of their service, then simply format them and proof for errors. This also ensures that the description is accurate and inclusive of all requirements.

Volunteer job descriptions allow participants to plan their time and skills accurately and avert difficulties later on. In time, the description will come to serve as a resource, a manual of sorts, for individual volunteer positions. Volunteer job descriptions quickly prove their worth.

Accounting For Fundraising Efforts: Keeping Good Fundraising Records

FundraisingIP.com — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:07:33 +0000

Executing a good fundraising campaign is only half the battle; the behind-the-scenes management of the fundraising campaign constitutes the other half. Good fundraiser management starts from the very beginning with keeping good fundraiser records. Accurate fundraiser recordkeeping ensures not only that the current campaign will proceed as smoothly as possible, but also that future campaigns will flow easily as well.

Fundraising involves many more details than what may first be apparent. Keeping track of these details builds a strong informational base, and makes it easy to track payments and items when something is called into question. Accurate, organized fundraising records also make it easy to look back and see what successful trends have emerged over past fundraisers, and what products, methods, or campaigns were not well received, so that the best decisions can be made in the next fundraising cycle.

Money And Product

Essentially, almost any piece of information relating to the fundraiser is worth keeping, but the most importance should be placed in tracking the money and product.

Track money spent for product purchases and supplies. Include the date, what was purchased, the amount, place of purchase or order, and how it was paid for, including check numbers. It might also be helpful to include the name of the person who handled the purchase so that future fundraising members can contact them with questions.

Track products that are distributed to fundraising volunteers and money collected and turned in. Record the name of the volunteer, how much and what type of product they took, if the product was paid for when taken and how, as well as the date taken and contact information for the individual. Include a space to record when or if the product was returned, the amount of money outstanding for the product, and the amount of money returned in exchange for product, including payment information (check numbers, etc.).

For catalog fundraisers, keep copies of all order forms submitted so there is a backup file in case originals are lost.

Label records by year and or type of fundraiser.

Creating Future Reference

When setting up and creating records, keep in mind, that records are being set up as reference to help future volunteers create successful fundraising campaigns. Be sure to include as much useful information as possible:

Lists of all persons and organizations who have donated to fundraising campaigns in the past, preferably with the amounts of the donation; contact information for past donors will also aid future fundraising campaigns.
References such as volunteer positions, job descriptions, handbooks, time requirements, request letters, and product and service suppliers; keeping these types of fundraising records helps future campaign organizers to plan realistically and diminishes the amount of repetitive leg-work from year to year.

Poor planning is one of the most common reasons that fundraising campaigns fail. However, with accurate fundraising records to fall back on, new organizers can look back to see what types and methods of fundraising worked well for an area or organization, and disputes over finances and products can be minimized with proof of all transactions. In short, for a successful fundraising campaign, well organized, accurate fundraising record keeping is an absolute necessity.

To help with future fundraisers, consider completing a Post-Fundraiser Evaluation for each fundraiser. Add comments about what worked and what didn’t work for a specific fundraiser and what should be done differently the next time.

More fundraising checklists…

Fundraising Books

FundraisingIP.com — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:33:57 +0000

Over the years we’ve come upon lots of useful fundraising information that we’ve been sharing with you through our website. We’ve also come across some great books on different aspects of raising funds and have decided to start compiling a list of our favorite fundraising books and share it with you! You’ll find books with in-depth information on writing fundraising letters, running your non-profit and of course a fundraising book from the popular “Dummies” series.

Do you know of a great fundraising book that has been of immense help to you? Please tell us! If we publish your recommendation we’ll add your name and your organization’s URL to our site which will help you get more visitors to your site.

The books that made it onto our list are some of the most popular fundraising books and also have the highest customer reviews on Amazon.com:

Excerpt from this book:

"It’s downright unnatural. Your fundraising letter must persuade the recipient to take an action that much of humanity thinks peculiar: to give money away.

…Forget your organization’s needs. Instead focus on the needs, the desires, and the concerns of the people you’re writing to. Your job is to motivate them."

Includes: "Sixty Successful Outer Envelope Teasers, Fifty-four Strong Leads For Fundraising Letters…" and many more tips for writing a perfect fundraising letter.

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Excerpt from this book:

" ‘But I don’t have time to read a book on fundraising!’ If that phrase could have come from your lips, you’re not alone. I’ve worked in some of the hardest-to-fund nonprofits around, and fully appreciate that you may be reading this while simultaneously gulping down lunch and photocopying a grant proposal. But you probably know in your heart…"

Includes: "Developing Your Fundraising Plan, Attracting Individual Supporters, How to Keep the Givers Giving…" and much more to make your fundraising efforts a success!

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Excerpt from this book:

"The mission of your organization isn’t merely important – it’s everything. It describes your noble objectives and the way you touch lives of those you serve – in a way unlike any other organization.

Your mission fuels motivation and ignites the passion. It provides the why that inspires every how. It is the roadmap, the signpost of your organizatio’s direction and destination."

Includes: "It Starts with Integrity, Mission is everything, Why People Give, Wear Your Business Hat…" to make your board as effective as it can be.

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Excerpt from this book:

"Fundraising folks have an old saying: "People don’t give to causes. People give to people with causes." This saying means that, in essence, you’re the important part. Your inspiration, your perspiration, your passion. So that brings us to the Big Question…

What are you passionate about?"

Includes: "Finding – and Winning Over – Donors, Assembling Your Fundraising Toolkit, Leveraging The Internet, On the Fundraising Campaign Trail, Ten Great Opening Lines…" Another great guide by the publisher of the ‘Dummies’ series!

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Excerpt from this book:

"Which would you rather have, if you could only choose from these two options:Someone who reads your stuff but never responds? Or someone who doesn’t read your stuff but sends you a gift? Obviously you’d choose the latter, as would anyone with a dollar goal to make. It’s not ideal, but it pays the bills. I bring up the distinction between reading and acting for an important reason having to do with your workload: to release you from the burden of worrying so much about writing newsletter articles, white papers, and other longer prose pieces."

Includes: "Why your fundraising communications fail to get the results you want; On the delicate subject of committee &board approvals…" This guide gets into the nitty gritty about anything communications related. Not just great for fundraising letters, but also for refining your group’s mission.

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Excerpt from this book:

"The word philantrophy comes from two Greek words meaning "love of people." In modern times this goodwill, or humanitarianism, is often expressed in donations of property, money, or volunteer time to worthy causes. Similarily, the word charity comes from a Latin word meaning "love" in the sense of uncoditional loving, kindness, compassion, and seeking to do good. The roots of these words remind us of the fundamental reasons for the work of most nonprofit organizations."

Includes: "Matching Fundraising Strategies With Financial Needs, When Everyone is a Volunteer, Launching Major Gift Campaigns…" This is a comprehensive guide that covers all aspects fundraising. Worth every penny!

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Excerpt from this book:

"Many organizations are finding it more difficult than ever to get excellent board members…

Therefore, a board should establish a Board Development Committee as a standing board committee. This committee would assume all the roles played by the Nominating Committee. It would have as its responsibility not only obtaining quality board members, but also keeping them."

Includes: "Writing Grants and Getting them Funded, Managing Grants Once You Get Them, Establishing an Outstanging Volunteer Program…" All the basics you need to know about keeping your nonprofit running smoothly.

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Excerpt from this book:

"Designing and producing an event – whether it be a meeting, corporate event, fund-raising gala, conference, convention, incentive or other special event – has been compared to directing a movie but is actually more like a live stage production. It is a high-wire act without the safety nects. Once your event starts there are no second chances. it’s done in one take and there are no dress rehearsals. You can’t yell "cut" and reshoot the scene. You are simply not able to predict the putcome – as you can from a movie script – of how your guests and suppliers will interact and react…"

Includes: "The First Steps: Initial Planning & Budgeting, Organization and Timing, Location Location Location…" Excellent advice on every aspect of planning and running an event.

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Excerpt from this book:

"Grant writing is one of those topics that seems very technical and esoteric, yet you probably already know more about it than you think you do. But before I go any further, let’s be clear about just what grant writing is and isn’t. Grant writing is the skill or practice of asking for money in the form of a grant from a foundation, corporation, or government agency by crafting a well-considered document (the proposal) that outlines how the money will be used, what receiving the money will accomplish and…"

Includes: "The Practice of Grant Writing, ABCs of Grants, Foundation Primer, Corporation Primer, Government Primer, Individual Donor Primer…" The ins and outs of what a grant is and how to write one to get it funded.

For the most up to date list, click over to our highest rated fundraising books page.

Should Our PTO File For Non-Profit Status?

FundraisingIP.com — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:20:22 +0000

Most parent-teacher groups operating in the U.S. today are not affiliated with the national PTA. In large part, these groups have decided to remain independent of the national PTA in order to avoid membership fees and dues.

The downside to being independent of the national PTA, however, is that administrative tasks, such as authoring bylaws and filing tax forms, incorporation, and exemptions, fall to the officers and members of the organization. Some of these filings and designations are optional; in particular, Federal IRS designation as a tax-exempt non-profit 501(c)(3). A PTO that has taken the time to obtain and maintain 501(c)(3) status can enjoy a number of benefits that can greatly impact their financial bottom line. Like all things worth having, though, there is a cost that comes in the form of time, effort, and money.

What are the pros and cons of filing for non-profit status?

In the long run, it is definitely in the best interest of well-organized PTO’s to file for tax exemption under the 501(c)(3). However, poorly run organizations with only marginal commitment from volunteers will find the returns are limited.

Those who benefit from the process

- are well-organized
- have dedicated members who will not only file to obtain non-profit status, but will also maintain that designation in the future (which requires filing an annual registration report at no cost)
- make a pointed effort to transition responsibilities and documents between new boards of officers each year Beyond these fundamentals, there are other pros and cons to consider.

The cons:

* 501(c)(3) requires application to the IRS; the process is quite rigorous, but certainly not impossible
* Filing of the application requires a dedicated effort and time-commitment for volunteers
* It costs several hundred dollars to file, even if you do the work yourself
* Groups must know how they are restricted as a 501(c)(3); the IRS limits activities such as political activism, legislative activity, business activity unrelated to the organization and other activities

The pros:

* Groups are exempted from paying Federal Income Tax (but not from filing appropriate tax forms)
* Groups are exempted from unemployment taxes
* Donations and in-kind gifts are tax deductible for donors
* Groups become eligible for bulk mailing permits/rates
* Grant monies (and grants of in-kind services) are much more widely available to non-profit groups
* There are many commercial and social sharing and networking websites that allow official nonprofits to register their group to receive either free advertising, or donations from visitors of these sites (for example eBay.com, Google.com)

Status as a 501(c)(3) organization lends credibility to an organization. Donors can see that there is documented proof of the organization and its function, and that they are not supporting an organization of questionable mission or origin. Non-profits with the 501(c)(3) designation can be researched by potential supporters on sites like CharityNavigator.org and Guidestar.org.

Most groups that are well-run find 501(c)(3) designation to be to their distinct advantage, despite the effort and cost.

Most PTO’s find that their efforts are more effective as they are able to designate more money for the betterment of their children and their school and the return on the cost of the filing fee is enjoyed in short time. For PTOs that plan to be in existence for a number of years (as most do), designation as a recognized non-profit works only to their advantage; for those of temporary existence, the process of filing a 501(c)(3) is probably not worth the time and money.

Are you ready for your own non-profit? Read Steps To Starting A Successful Non-Profit to get started.

Start Your Fundraiser Right By Setting Clear Goals

FundraisingIP.com — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:24:04 +0000

The first item on your group’s agenda at the start of each fundraising season or campaign should be to set goals. The most prominent fundraising goal will be a dollar figure, but your organization may benefit from setting other goals as well.

Setting Dollar-Figure Fundraising Goals

It is best if your financial fundraising goal is a definite dollar amount. Even if you do not reach that amount, everyone will have something to strive for, and will be less likely to quit until your group brings in the funds needed. Should the first fundraiser not bring in the necessary funds, volunteers will be compelled to hold another and another until they do. A specific dollar amount will also push your group to clearly define other action items to reach your financial goal.

Tracking progress publicly, such as with a ‘fundraising thermometer’ or weekly progress report, towards your financial fundraising goal provides a great incentive for continuous effort. Goal-trackers keep everyone informed, and show how much more work is needed to reach your goal.

In order to set an accurate dollar figure fundraising goal, your group will need to spend a little time assessing the following:

What exactly are you raising funds for

Funds needed for fundraising products or services

The cost of the fundraiser and needed supplies

The size of your volunteer group (to determine how large a fundraiser your group can reasonably handle)

How much time is available to raise the funds

Increases in program costs over previous years

Other Goals For Your Fundraiser

At least in theory, fundraising should get easier from year to year, and it can if your group sets goals for improvement. When you assess your group’s financial needs, take some time to discuss past successes and failures, as well as what ran smoothly and areas needing improvement. Turn the most important or needy of these administrative-type tasks into goals for the organizing committee.

Some of the areas your group may want to look at when setting administrative improvement goals are:

Communication – among committee members and with volunteers and sellers

Organization – including record-keeping, which will make subsequent fundraisers run more smoothly

Marketing – getting the word out for better profits

Reception and distribution of products

Fundraising goals help the entire season’s campaigns run more efficiently and more profitably. Setting fundraising goals early helps all involved to see the need and work to fill it. Your group will surely find that it is easier to motivate people when they are working for a clear and defined cause, and continually making progress towards it. Ultimately, fundraising goals set the stage for that final, fulfilling breath of fresh air that lets every participating member of your group say, “we did it!”

Plan your next fundraiser with one of our fundraising checklists. Be aware of common fundraising mistakes.

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Common Fundraising Mistakes

FundraisingIP.com — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:02:47 +0000

A group’s best efforts can end in failure for some very common and predictable reasons. Some of the most common mistakes in fundraising campaigns include:

Insufficient planning:
- Be sure to thoroughly identify and then delegate every single task. Everyone should know exactly what they’re expected to do. Set realistic goals and deadlines and put it all in writing for everyone involved to see. If it’s too hard to pinpoint a task or goal at this time, do the best you can to define it anyway. You can always change it if needed. Just don’t leave any tasks or goals open. (For help with planning, use our fundraising checklists.)

Not knowing your supporters:
- If you expect too much or too little, you might underestimate donations and not maximize contributions.

Using the same fundraiser year after year:
- Be sure to keep supporters interested by offering a variety of useful and good quality products with every campaign. (Read about different fundraising ideas.)

Choosing the wrong fundraising method:
- This is related to the previous mistake, but goes a step further. Product or catalog sales may not be your best bet this year. It might be that your donors would rather just write your organization a check; your group could earn more through a simple mailing or telephone donation campaign. Maybe an ongoing or online fundraising campaign can supplement or even replace your seasonal fundraising campaign.

Not taking advantage of fundraising resources:
- Few groups are lucky enough to have access to a fundraising professional, but there are free online resources (like FundraisingIP.com!) and books that provide lots of information. If your group has kept records of past fundraising campaigns, use this information to decide on future fundraisers. Good record keeping about what kind of fundraisers worked or didn’t work well for your group and why are a valuable resource for future volunteers.

Not enough help:
- Maybe you need to recruit more volunteers, or lower your volunteer turnover. To run a successful fundraiser, you need as much help as you can get. (Read more about volunteers.)

Poor merchandise:
- Most fundraiser products cost more to consumers than they would if purchased in a store. Buyers are willing to pay a little extra to support a local group, but that doesn’t mean they will continue to buy products of poor quality. Before choosing a supplier, ask for product samples.

Poor timing:
- Product sales have to be timed. That could mean selling when people are shopping for specific items, but it could also mean not selling when everyone else is. Donors only have so much to give.

Poor publicity:
- If people don’t know you’re looking for support, they won’t know to offer it. Visibility, ease of donation, and good publicity are elemental to successful fundraising. (Read more about marketing your fundraiser.)

Fundraising success doesn’t always come easy and it does involve some effort. Make sure that effort is well-placed in education and planning, and your fundraiser will be a smashing success!

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The Fundraising Pyramid

FundraisingIP.com — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:43:47 +0000

The “Fundraising Pyramid” refers to a fundraising strategy that can be used by organizations with limited funds and resources so that they can achieve larger, seemingly unreachable fundraising goals.

The Fundraising Pyramid – What Is It?

The fundraising pyramid is a goal-setting and strategy tool that helps visually plan your group’s fundraising campaign. It is part goal-tracker and part campaign flow-chart.

The fundraising pyramid charts outreach goals and breaks them down into incremental funding amounts and donation targets that are more obtainable.

When you use the fundraising pyramid, you do not go after only one source for your total fund procurement. Rather, you structure your campaign so that a few campaigns reach out after an allotted portion of the total goal amount.

The funding pyramid is based on the concept that each group can secure one or a few large funds, some moderate awards, and many small donations. Targets and resources are then arranged correspondingly and different approaches are used to reach each funding goal.

Structuring The Fundraising Pyramid

The fundraising pyramid should be structured according to both target donor size/project capacity and target goal figures. The largest target amounts would be placed at the top of the pyramid, mid-level targets in the middle, and lowest target figures at the bottom. However, a converse relationship is applied to the sources of each funding. The largest gifts would be secured from the fewest funding sources, increasing as you move down the pyramid until the largest number of supporters or donors are funding the smallest part of the goal-figure.

For example:
(This example is for illustration purposes only; your pyramid should be tailored to your specific goals.)

Let’s say your organization is looking to secure $30,000 for a project.

Break this goal down into three campaign goals. Let’s say the funding is broken down in this way: $15,000, $10,000, and $5,000.

• The largest sum, $15,000 is placed at the top of the pyramid. Only one or two sources would be targeted for this funding, probably a one-time grant or possibly two.
• The mid-level goal of $10,000 goes to the middle. This will be broken down into sizable, but smaller donations – possibly four gifts of $2500 each.
• The bottom of the pyramid is left for the remaining $5000. The support base for this amount will grow again. Your group might choose to target 100 donors for $50 each, or 50 donors for $100 each.

The premise behind the fundraising pyramid is that it is difficult to raise funds by tapping only one resource for all of your money. Successful large fundraisers are a combination of target goals and sources. Where you might be able to obtain funding from one well-off donor or grant, the remainder of the funds will have to come from many smaller donations.

Using The Fundraising Pyramid

The fundraising pyramid is most often applied to donation campaigns and grants, but the same concept can be used to create a visual outline for a sales campaign or mixed fundraising effort. The basic concept remains the same however the pyramid is used – the largest segment of funding will be most easily achieved by securing it in one effort and the rest of the funding support will be targeted in smaller increments from a larger support base.

The fundraising pyramid not only allows your group’s leaders to see how the total campaign breaks down into smaller, more manageable segments, but also helps communicate that to the group’s members. In addition, the fundraising pyramid helps potential donors and supporters see how they can help, and where their donation resources might fit in to the overall plan. It creates enough opportunities for all potential donors to participate in whatever way possible for them, while providing a manageable plan for fundraising action.

Grants: Find Free Government And Foundation Money For Your Non-Profit

FundraisingIP.com — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:44:56 +0000

Many groups, businesses, and agencies – governmental, corporate and private – have money they are just waiting to give away to the right non-profit recipient. Locating and applying for monies from these organizations is a great way to get free money for your non-profit.

Free Money For Non-Profits – The Search Is On!

Finding sources of free money for non-profits starts with research; unfortunately, there’s no way around this time-consuming process, but there are sites and resources that can help, and the return is well worth the effort.

Research for free money for your non-profit should start either at your local library or online (or both). With the vast outreach and current, updated information available online, this is often the best place to focus your research attentions.

Online you can access government agencies, corporate websites, private foundations and charitable individuals, and portals, databases, and clearinghouses for grants for non-profit organizations.

There are many such websites, but the following are a good place to start:

The Foundation Center FDNcenter.org
The Foundation Center offers a wealth of information on finding and applying for grants and offers links to directories of corporate and foundation funding sources. In addition, the Center offers worksheets, training, statistics, and a copy of the “Common Grant Application” that many funders use in their application process (or at least use something very closely related).

Philanthropy.com
Philanthropy.com publishes the online “Chronicle of Philanthropy”; the site is mainly an informational resource. They also offer a Guide to New Grant Programs and a guide for established grant funders. Both are useful tools for assessing and choosing the most appropriate grant opportunities for a given non-profit organization.

Government Agencies
State and Federal government has moved online, and so, too has their grant announcement and application procedures. Online is the best way to access government grants in a timely manner. Visit the site of the Department that oversees groups and functions of your type for a start (for instance, if you want to fund education for inner-city preschoolers, start at the Department of Education.

You may also want to visit the Grants Page on Jason Dick’s blog at ASmallChange.com for some unusual grant opportunities.

These resources will get you a good start toward locating prospective sources of free money for your non-profit group. In addition, you can utilize the services of Foundation Grant Databases and search within a range of subjects and interests to return targeted results that will most closely match your organization, needs, and goals.

As a last tip, look for multiple sources of free money for non-profits to increase your chances of success. Many of these funders receive hundreds or thousands of applications, and securing grant money is a combination of blanketing enough funding options and making a clear, convincing application (that arrives on time!). To be sure, this increases your work load plenty, but the best free money awards go to those who are persistent, and if you look hard enough, you are sure to find some excellent sources of free money for non-profits that will be happy to lend to your cause.

Structure And Motivation – Fundraising Rewards Programs

FundraisingIP.com — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 17:34:15 +0000

Rewards programs and incentives are the most commonly used forms of fundraiser motivation – because they work! Take the time before your fundraiser kicks off to structure a great rewards program, and you’ll have volunteers clamoring to get in on the action!

What’s In It For Me?

It’s a refrain that’s repeated endlessly in marketing: answer the question, “What’s in it for me?” When you can give volunteers different reasons to participate, you motivate them with more than just the campaign outcome.

Structuring The Fundraising Rewards Program

Before you begin, first set a structure for your fundraising rewards program. Set rewards at different levels for different donation or sales levels. Be careful to make sure that levels are evenly structured so that the low-end is not overly-rewarded and the high-end is not unfairly under-’compensated’.

The most productive structure is one that has several tiers to the fundraising rewards program. Setting a reward for a low level of sales – with a corresponding, yet attractive reward – lets every volunteer feel like they can reach one or more goals, and come out with something nice and useful for their effort.

Set progressive levels with correspondingly rewarding and attractive rewards. The lowest level is designed to get each volunteer’s “foot in the door” so that they can feel success and shoot for an even higher goal and better reward.

Finding The Funds For Fundraiser Rewards

There are a number of ways to fund a fundraiser rewards program, but the best and most lucrative fundraiser rewards programs will not really be funded at all. Instead, they will rely on donations, community support, and company incentives. Here are a few options for funding fundraiser rewards programs:

• Local donors
In kind donations of goods are an excellent way to secure attractive items that can be used as prizes and rewards for fundraiser rewards programs. Approach several area businesses for in-kind reward donations.

• Fundraising companies
Many fundraising companies already have incentive reward programs built into their fundraisers. See what your company is offering, and take advantage of all the company will be giving. You can choose to use the incentives alone or add to them if you can secure more donations.

• Area business partnerships
You can make your fundraiser rewards program a winner all around by partnering with local businesses for coupons for goods and services the sellers might use. You win because you get the reward prizes you need, the business wins because you are drawing in customers, and the volunteer wins because they get a great prize! Choose your target business partnerships carefully so that the prizes secured will really be valued.

• Fundraiser profits
Since rewards are incrementally based on sales, your fundraiser profits can also be used to fund a fundraiser rewards program. Set the distribution date and the prize accordingly so that the funds can either be taken from savings and offset or taken and used after profits are recouped.

Fundraiser Rewards All Around

Fundraiser rewards programs do not have to be limited to the volunteer selling force. You can also use a reward program as an incentive for other volunteers and also supporters. Here, a simple donor recognition dinner or coffee hour can go a long way, as can valuable coupons from those partnering area businesses.

Fundraiser rewards programs can really breathe a lot of life into a fundraising campaign. For a small investment of time or money, you can boost your fundraising efforts to the next level, and provide some much needed enjoyment and confidence, too!

So Many Choices: Tips For Choosing The Right Fundraiser

FundraisingIP.com — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:19:24 +0000

Any fundraising organizer or committee can tell you that there are more fundraising choices than you could imagine; so choosing the best product and process for fundraising can be a chore. But with a little preparation (and advice from your predecessors when available), choosing the right fundraising campaign can be far less overwhelming.

Get To Know Your Group And Supporting Community

Before you can decide on what product or process is best for your group to sell, you have to learn a few things about who sells your fundraising products and how; you also need to make some decisions about who will buy what you are selling.

Some important things to consider are:

What is the age of your group members? younger children will need simple fundraisers and easy money collection; sometimes choosing something like lollipop or candy sales is best because each item is sold at the same price, for a sum that is easy to count and collect

What is the size of the selling group? product based fundraisers usually take a lot of people selling in order to turn a good profit; if your group is small, order takers may not net a large return; consider selling items that can be pre-purchased for cash and carry sales in busy locations (such as at other events or storefronts)

What does your group represent? what you are selling should not conflict with the message and/or goals of your organization; for example, a candy fundraiser would be a hypocritical choice for a dental awareness campaign

What does your group like? Parents and children will enjoy selling products they like better than those they don’t, and profits will reflect this

What has sold successfully in the past? Is the support and demand still there to run the same campaign again?

What is your community receptive to? If supporters would rather hand you cash than buy something they may not have use for, consider a raffle or card sale (such as scratch cards or discount cards)

How quickly do you need the money? Generally, scratch cards and raffles can be run on short notice, but for product-based fundraisers, large events, magazine drives, and donation request mailing campaigns, more time will be needed

What is the size and skill-set of your organizing group? The more involved the fundraising campaign, the more people you will need for organization and administration. Likewise, more complicated fundraisers like brick fundraisers may require skilled knowledge and labor (for structural design and construction)

Will any local businesses or individuals contribute time, skills, equipment, or money to your campaign? Businesses are often willing to support the community and build good relations.

These are the basic things to consider. Depending on the specific needs and abilities of your group, you may have more to add to this list.

Keep in mind, however, that there are a myriad of choices in fundraising techniques and products, and that …

Not every fundraiser needs to sell something:
You could sign up for any of the online fundraising services to ask for direct donations, or create your own website that enables you to take direct donations, or ask your supporters to sign up for a program that pays for online reviews for example.

Green Fundraising: Recycle Ink Cartridges

FundraisingIP.com — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:22:58 +0000

Maybe you don’t know that only about 10% of ink cartridges are turned in for recycling. Maybe you don’t know that it can take up to 3,5 qts of oil to produce just one ink cartridge. Maybe you don’t know that there is a super easy way to recycle those ink cartridges, help the planet, save valuable oil resources and make money doing it! That’s right—recycling ink cartridges could be the most profitable and beneficial (planet-arily speaking) fundraising project you’ve ever promoted!

Quick-View Of Ink Cartridge Recycling

Setting up and running an ink cartridge recycling program couldn’t be easier. A few simple steps and you’re there.

Here’s what you’ll have to do:

Identify your ink cartridge recycling partner – this will be a company who buys used ink cartridges so that they can refurbish them and resell them. Most of these companies operate primarily online, and that is where you can expect to find several good ones.
Register your organization – pretty much anyone can set up an account for ink cartridge recycling—and it’s all free! At registration, you’ll receive all the information you need to start recycling. Soon after, you’ll be provided with bags, boxes, or envelopes to send the collected ink cartridges to the company in. In most cases, the postage is prepaid—the whole program could be run entirely free!
Start collecting – you’ll need to do something to get the word out about your program; utilize all your information disseminating resources. Blurb the fundraiser in a newsletter, send out letters explaining the program, write a press release for the local paper, send around an email and/or post the collection on your website. (Note—you don’t have to wait until you get you materials, you can start collecting any time.)
Remit Collections – remission guidelines vary by company, but by and large they are pretty open-ended; you just send in your ink cartridges whenever it best suits you. On average, a monthly remission works well, but if you collect a lot of cartridges regularly you could send them in more often. On the flip side, organizations that have just a few sometimes prefer to send in the ink cartridges when they’ve collected a fair amount to make the postal trip worth their while.

How Much Will You Make When You Recycle Ink Cartridges?

The potential for profit is limited only by your access to ink cartridges. The more you collect, the more you can remit; on average you’ll get between one and four dollars for each accepted cartridge (depending on the type and your company). The nice thing is that ink cartridge recycling doesn’t have to cost you a thing and the fundraiser can continue on alongside other efforts without competing. If you can partner with some area businesses and/or organizations that go through lots of cartridges, you can turn quite a nice profit. At any rate, ink cartridge recycling is something every needy organization should undertake because the extra income can’t be gotten elsewhere as easily.

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Raise funds and recycle used ink cartridges and cell phones at FundingFactory. (Sponsor link)

Put The Fun Back Into Your Fundraiser!

FundraisingIP.com — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:18:36 +0000

Giving of your time as a fundraising volunteer is effort enough without having to participate in a stale, no fun, dead-end fundraiser. Fortunately, fixing a fundraiser like that is one of the easiest fundraising problems to solve. You just have to find out what motivates your group to get them behind your fundraising project 100%.

Consider Your Supporters

You have to consider that if you and your volunteers are bored with your fundraiser, the odds are better than good that your supporters are, too. Lack of interest is probably the top reason why fundraisers don’t bring in enough money. After all, if you can’t stand selling it, how do you expect your supporters to want to buy into it?

Add Some Spice To Your Fundraising Life

Sure, it’s a bit stressful knowing that your fundraiser is not very exciting. But when you look on the bright side, you’ll see that it may be just an opportunity to do something new and different. It’s a great opportunity for a fundraising leader to light a new fire under a group of volunteers and motivate supporters, and that is exactly how you need to sell it to your group.

Realize, though, that not everyone is eager to accept change. Often the reason that a group becomes saddled with a boring fundraiser is that it is easy because everyone knows exactly how to run it – a lot of the work is already done. But fundraisers should not be burdensome; they should be fun! And if your supporters are sick of your fundraiser, there’s really no saving it unless something changes.

To fix a boring fundraiser, you have two basic options.

1. Scrap it! Start fresh with something else – either an entirely new fundraiser, or something that’s shown promise in the past that could be built up into a great fundraiser with a bigger, better effort.

2. Spin it! Find a new twist to add excitement to an old stand-by. Instead of having a pie sale, have a pie and pie throwing sale! Instead of a fashion show, a fashion show with male models! Instead of a pizza night, a make your own pizza night! Anything that makes your fundraiser fun and interesting while motivating fundraiser volunteers – a standout among fundraisers.

Likewise, add some spice to the behind-the-scenes of fundraising. There is no reason that meetings and work sessions have to be all work. Bring in some treats, take a night off for cocktails, or just spend some time visiting and getting to know each other. When you enjoy your company, even the most boring of fundraising tasks can come to life.
Partners In Marketing: Planning Joint Fundraising Events