Easy, Free Fundraising Ideas

Piecing together a successful fundraiser can be tough work, but it doesn't have to be that way. Follow our easy three-step guideline to turn your struggling fundraising campaign a huge hassle-free success.

Step One: Set Goals
# Setting goals will focus your fundraising campaign and provide clear targets to hit. Without clear targets, the campaign will drag on and lack direction. Get people together. How many people will be helping out? The more people you have, the more funds you will raise. Fundraising is a numbers game.
# Establish a clear financial goal. How much does your group need to raise? Knowing this amount will help you choose a fundraiser suited to your needs, as well as determine how much each person needs to raise.
# Decide on a timeline. When do you need the money you are raising? Set a specific beginning and ending date for your fundraiser and stick to it.

Step Two: Plan Your Fundraiser
# Select your fundraising program early to assure ample time for planning, especially during holiday seasons. If the school or community has a planning calendar, be sure your event is included. Stagger fundraising activities to avoid competing with other groups.
# Avoid "fundraising fatigue" among parents and volunteers by conducting fewer programs that are more effective individually.
# Do not let your organization's profits be eaten away by "hidden" costs (e.g. for shipping, setup costs, etc) -- ask questions ahead of time and make the necessary adjustments.

Step Three: Manage Your Fundraiser
# Keep energy levels high by communicating before, during and after the program - remind parents, teachers and other volunteers of the fundraiser's goals and deadlines, provide frequent status reports and updates.
# Avoid shipping and ordering problems by working closely with volunteers to assure that all order forms are legible and filled out completely.
# Do not forget to communicate with absentees who miss the program's kick-off or other important meetings.

But the most important tip of all .. HAVE FUN! With the right approach, fundraising can be educational and enjoyable for everyone. Here's a checklist you can download and print:

http://www.fasttrackfundraising.com/documents/FastTrack-Fundraising-Checklist.pdf

· Go from Ideas to Implementation: Fundraising companies provide not just ideas of fundraisers, but actual tangible products for members of your organization to convert into profit.

· It's Cost-Effective: Establishing a corporate-non profit relationship could lead to other benefits, such as sponsorship and special promotional discounts exclusively for your non-profit. Not to mention, fundraising products are cheaper when purchased in bulk.

·Target Audience Exposure: Your non-profit receives added publicity on the site of the fundraising company. This can potentially attract a base of potential participants/volunteers/members nationwide all of whom are active in schools, communities, and other non-profits.

· Product Customization: Fundraising companies have the resources and creative capabilities to make customized fundraising products specifically for your non-profit. They can do this cheaply and efficiently through the vendor relationships they have developed through years in business.

· Streamline the Fundraising Process: Having a third-party take care of all the nuts and bolts of putting together a fundraiser makes fundraising easy and accessible to everyone, even those lacking creativity to throw a big fundraising event.

· It's their Specialty: Fundraising companies normally have years of experience under their belt. You can expect them to know what will optimize the time of your volunteers and members.

· American Public Loves Corporate-Non Profit Partnerships: Cone Corporate Citizenship Study found that 89% of Americans believe corporations and nonprofits should work together to raise money and awareness. 76% believe that these strategic partnerships eventually result in a more positive image on not only the corporate company, but the non-profit. On account of such partnerships, Americans are 76% more likely to tell a friend about the non-profit and 70% more likely to donate money to the non-profit. (http://www.pnnonline.org/print.php?sid=5982)

Give it a shot! It's a win-win situation. Fundraising Companies love helping out non-profits (it's why they exist) and you have nothing to lose, only new opportunities and more funding to gain!

1) Start with an outline.

2) Research accurate facts and figures. This will add legitimacy and make your appeal informative.

3) Highlight one person you will help. Focus on that one person and build a story around that

4) Distinguish yourself from other similar organizations. What are you doing that others aren't?

5) What's in it for the donor? Use rhetoric that will make the donor feel like they have done something good.

6) Use inspirational language with a call-to action photograph. A picture is worth a thousand words, so pick one that speaks the right thousand.

7) Write with a sense of urgency. If your letter doesn't convict them to act now, more likely than not they never will.

8) Make the donor feel like they are part of the solution and not just providing check-book support. It goes back to the adage "give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you've fed him for a lifetime." Work your fundraising appeal so that the potential donor feels like they're making a lasting difference

9) Give the donors hope by emphasizing how support has already made a difference. A fundraising appeal letter can sound less than hopeful if not done correctly. Your intent is to convict and motivate - make the reader feel like they are jumping onboard with a movement.

10) Thank them. Their time is already money, so show them you appreciate them for even taking the time to read your letter.

Modified from http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20091013-229874/How-to-write-an-effective-fundraising-appeal-in-these-flooded-times