Charitytalent

Archive for the ‘Fundraising’ Category

Wellness Detective Comments: I was fundraising in 2010 and I held a fundraising event where I advertised it the community.  I used social media, online media outlets and newspapers to get my message before and after the event.  One of the keys is to share a compelling story to emotionally touch your event audience members.  Read this article about advertising fundraising events.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Barnett_Hatcher

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6670989

One of the main reasons why most fundraising events fail is due to lack of publicity or ineffective advertising strategies. Fundraising is more like running a business; if people are not aware of your events, they will not participate in it. That’s why you need an effective strategy that would easily entice the curiosity and interest of your customers to participate in your events. They must also know the reason behind the efforts and how their support can help out other people so that you can easily encourage them to join you.

In preparing your advertising strategies, you need to invest time, effort and resources in order to make them effective. An ineffective advertising tactic is as good as nothing so always make sure that they are useful in raising the awareness of people in your community about your fundraising project. It may cost you a lot of resources to execute your advertising plans but you need to understand that it is an integral part of every fundraiser and should not be ignored. Investing in a good and effective advertising strategy is worth every penny in the long run so never be afraid to spend your resources on your plans since this will make your fundraiser successful. In introducing to your customers your fundraiser, you need to be open-minded and tell them everything that is important in your events. Tell them the real purpose of your fundraising campaign as well as your goals and objectives so that they will understand why you’re doing your best to encourage them to join. You should also show them how they too can help out in your fundraiser and the beneficiaries which will benefit from your efforts. Always be open to criticism and suggestions; in this way, you can still improve your fundraising events for the better. You should also remember to never spoil everything to your customers regarding what kinds of events you have in store for them in the future. This assures you that they will be curious and interested in participating in your events especially if you still have something to offer them aside from your existing campaign. This also goes with your products; make sure to always have something new to offer your customers so that they will continue to support your fundraising efforts until the end.

One of the best ways to promote your fundraiser without spending too much resources is through the use of media outlets such as newspapers, television and radio programs. These media outlets can help your fundraiser’s reputation to increase since most people denote their information credible and true. If your fundraising event is featured in their programs and news articles, many people will flock to your events to personally see what you are offering. In order to gain the attention of the media, you need to make your fundraising event newsworthy. It means that your fundraiser must have something unique and creative that would separate you from other fundraising campaigns. By doing this, you are assured that media people will feature you in their respective programs making your fundraiser very popular as well as profitable.

Charitytalent Comments: I was a patient at Princess Margaret Hospital 3 years ago and understand the importance of all the services that they provide to patients walking through their doors. There is always a need for more funding and I recall having to do a test at another hospital, as PMH, did not have the facilities to accomodate my test. The Weekend to End Women’s Cancers is a nation wide event across Canada. All participants will walk 60 km over a 2 day celebration on September 10th & 11th, 2011. I know one participant fundraising for this walk, Neena Jain. If you would like to support her, go to:

http://www.endcancer.ca/goto/neenatakesontdot

To find out more:

http://www.endcancer.ca

Charitytalent Comments: I love attending fundraising events and especially for good causes. My favorite events are those that support the arts. There’s an awesome party happening in Toronto next month on September 23rd, 2011. Artbound presents the “evolution of pop” in support of Free the Children. The goal this year is to raise $300K to with funds going to a school in Kenya and to break ground on a project in Rajasthan, India in 2013.

I hope to attend this prestigious and superb fundraising party! I will dress as a pop star, and who will you dress up as? Buy your tickets today! Go to: http://www.artbound.ca/theparty/

Charitytalent Comments: Fundraising is important to any charity or non-profit.  Some organizations receive government grants and private sector funding, but it is still important to be creative with fundraising ideas and to use fundraising products.  A strong team of fundraising experts is also key to executing a successful fundraising strategy.  It is essential that you be comfortable asking people for money.  Create the opportunity for people to “GIVE”.  Check out this free fundraising kit:

http://www.fundraising.com/free-fundraising-kit.aspx

Charitytalent Comments: Short films are a great way to get started in the film making world. Finding funding can sometimes be a challenge. Since I am based in Canada, I have included a link to a film festival site that outlines resources for film funding.

http://worldwideshortfilmfest.com/resource-centre/getting-started/

I have one film credit for a short film. Please review the film “Happy Birthday Anna” by Senthil Vinu.

Happy Birthday Anna

Charitytalent Comments: I have learned through many years of personal development that the language used in conversations makes an impact on individuals and community.   It’s important to keep empowering language and words present in the workforce at non-profits and charities.

Source:  Sandy Rees, CFRE, is a coach, consultant, and trainer who shows nonprofit organizations how to raise more money and grow their Boards. For free tips on how to raise all the money your organization needs, visit www.getfullyfunded.com.

Asking “How” can change everything

I had a conversation recently that I wanted to share with you.

I was talking with an Executive Director who wanted to hire me to lead a retreat for his Board. He was certain that I could help get his Board members engaged and excited about a fundraising campaign. Everything was going well until he asked what I charge.  When I told him, he suddenly seemed disinterested.

I understand that sometimes your organization is cash-strapped, especially if you haven’t learned how to raise big money. But all too often, it’s a poverty mentality. Way too many nonprofit leaders and volunteers think they can’t spend any money to operate their nonprofit. They attempt to operate on a tiny, thin shoestring, even when they have the money to do something else.  Instead of thinking about the value they are receiving from their purchase, they simply look for the lowest price.

There are all kinds of problems with this thinking.  The biggest one is that it will keep your organization small.  If you look at every opportunity that comes your way and say “we can’t afford that” you will never raise the kind of money you need to make a significant impact.  You’ll never fulfill your mission and change peoples’ lives.

One small word can make a big difference.  Ask “How?”

Try saying “HOW can we afford that?” Instead of immediately assuming you can’t afford it, look for ways you can make it happen.  Brainstorm ways you can raise the money to afford the opportunity.  You’ll find that it can quickly change things for your nonprofit and get you on the road to success.

In your brainstorming, you may find a Board member or a loyal donor who will fund the particular opportunity you are looking at.  There are always options.

 

 

Charitytalent Comments: I have participated in fundraising over the course of my life. My first fundraising was for the Ismaili Run for Charity in support of North York Hospital in Ontario, Canada in the early 90s. More recently, in 2010, I participated in the Joints in Motion program fundraising in support of the Arthritis Society. Although I raised about $3, 800.00, I could have been more effective. Read this article to get famiiar with SMART goals that assists with fundraising.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandy_Rees

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2414784

How do you set your fundraising goals? Do you randomly choose something or do you methodically select what you’ll work towards? Have you decided to “raise more money than last year” or “get more donors”? No good. Do yourself a big favor and make your goals SMART.

SMART is an acronym that will help you set yourself up for success. It’s a way to set goals that you can easily create action plans for and later determine if you’ve met them or not.

Here’s what the acronym means:

S=Specific. Set specific goals for your fundraising activities, like “acquire 100 new donors this year” or “write 10 grant proposals in March”. Answer the ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘where’, and ‘why’ questions to make your goals specific.

M=Measurable. Make sure your goals are easily measured. Establishing concrete criteria will help you determine if you are successful or not. Think through questions like ‘how much’ and ‘how many’ to make your goal quantifiable.

A=Attainable. Set goals for yourself that can be reached with the skills and resources you have. Don’t set goals that are unrealistic – you’ll likely get frustrated and stop working on them.

R=Realistic. Set goals that you are willing to work on and that are reachable. Otherwise, it’s just a dream and that won’t move your fundraising program forward.

T=Timely. Create a timeline for reaching your goals. If you plan to double your donor base, by when will you do it?

Good examples of SMART goals:
o Increase our donor base by 10% by June 1, 2009.
o Recruit 2 new sponsors for our Spring Golf Tournament by March 1.
o Find 6 volunteers to help sort donations at the thrift store on Mondays. Orient them and have them in place before April 15.

By setting SMART goals, you’ll be much more likely to be successful in reaching them and raising the money your organization needs.

Want more practical tips and ideas for successful fundraising? Get the twice-monthly “Bright Ideas for Fundraising” at http://www.getfullyfunded.com

Sandy Rees is a nonprofit fundraising coach and speaker who shows small nonprofit organizations how to raise more money, gain more supporters, and strengthen their Boards.

(c) Sandy Rees, CFRE

Charitytalent Comments:  I have raised funds over the years and I have also been a donor.  The key to fundraising is being authentic and have an amazing story behind your fundraising efforts.   When I was fundraising for the Arthritis Society in 2010, I created Youtube videos to educate others. Check out some basic tips from a fundraising expert.