Step By Step Fundraising Newsletter
August 2006
In this issue -
- 5 Tips for Planning a Fundraiser
- New Articles Online: Fundraising Success Stories
As you're planning your fundraising strategies for fall or advance
planning for 2007, consider some of these "back to basics"
planning tips. If even one of these simple ideas save you time and/or
help you raise more, then it will be worth it!
5 Tips for Planning a Fundraiser
Investing proper time and effort into the planning of a fundraiser
will result in greater success. Keep these 5 tips in mind when planning
a fundraiser:
1. Create a Fundraising Goal
Goal setting is one of the most important aspects of any endeavor.
Budgetary needs of the organization generally guide the fundraising
goals that are needed. Your organization should have yearly financial
requirements, and then a plan to reach that requirement with individual
fundraisers and campaigns. Each individual campaign or event should
have its own fundraising goal.
2. Establish a Proper Cost to Profit Ratio
The expenses related to the fundraising program should be kept
below a certain percentage of your total (gross) fundraising receipts.
For most events or letter writing campaigns, your expenses should
be 30% or less of your total receipts. The lower your cost the better,
because more of your hard won donations will go toward your cause.
This also applies when selling merchandise or food (like candy
or cookie dough). In general, look for a fundraising company that offers
50% or more commission. Again, the more commission you make the better.
3. Set a Budget
Creating a budget is essential in order to monitor the costs
of the fundraiser and predict the profit. Knowing the cost involved
with a fundraising idea before you get started will help determine whether
it's a viable program. Create a list of all of the cost involved and
the potential for sales and donations.
If after the research and budget you realize that your group
with either not be able to cover start up costs, or it would not able
to make enough profit on this particular project, find a new project
that better works with your organization.
4. Donations and Corporate Sponsors
Donations to fund start up costs will help fundraising project
be more successful. Businesses and individual sponsors can help underwrite
the costs of an event and receive recognition and/or advertising in
return. Donations of supplies can also be a big help.
For example, if you are having a dinner, solicit a local restaurant
to donate all or a portion of the food. Prizes for raffles and auctions
should be donated from area businesses or members, not purchased from
funds.
5. Timelines
Start at the event or due date and work backward. Write down
all of the major and minor details that need to be accomplished to make
the fundraiser a success.
Set deadlines for when each of these details need to be accomplished.
Organizing into committees and delegating responsibilities will
further help make sure that the fundraiser runs smoothly.
Fundraising Success Stories
There are several new articles online that feature great fundraising
success stories. Anytime I publish a story, I always include "take
away" tips that a group can use to plan a similar fundraiser. So
not only can you hear some interesting stories, but get ideas about
how to replicate the success of the fundraiser (or make it even better!)
Antiques
Appraisal Fundraiser by Abigail Beal
Successful
Trivia Night Fundraiser by Sandra Sims
Maryland
SPCA Runs Successful Auction Using cMarket by Darrell Laurant
To Your Continued Fundraising Success,
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