The 12th Annual Used Book Sale for Mississauga Symphony held from Thursday, September 19th to Sunday, September 23rd 2007 in Mississauga, (Ontario, Canada) at the Sheridan Centre. The book sale is quite large, with 54,000 books. The books are divided into 48 categories from history, sci-fi, romance and other genres.

Last year’s book sale had 20,000 books and the symphony was quite pleased to raise $46,000. The book sale also features CDs, DVDs, records, games, puzzles and assorted epherma (postcards and calendars and other printed materials).

Books are sold for very reasonable prices, from fifty cents to $3.00 each. The book sale has thirty dedicated volunteers that work year-round to prepare for the sale, but during the book sale week there are more than 180 volunteers working on the sale. The book sale is the symphony’s largest fundraiser of the year.

Source: The Mississauga News

Approximately 50 teams will participate in the Race to Erase Homelessness Event, on Saturday, September 15th around Lambton County, Canada. The event is similar to the television show “The Amazing Race“. Teams will participate in 10 challenges. Challenges are timed, and the first team to complete the challenge wins the challenge — just like the television show.

Past challenges have included making a “Manhattan Sandwich” at Urban Loaf, carrying a stretcher through a simulated minefield for the Red Cross and working as a team to catch a fish a Bluewater Hatchery.

The race winners and top team and individual fundraisers will be awarded prizes. Prizes include iPods, gift certificates to restaurants, a trip to the Caribbean and Redwings tickets.

Funds raised will benefit the Inn of the Good Shepherd. Race to Erase hopes to raise a minimum of $50,000 for the charity to help fight homelessness. Teams must raise a minimum of $500 to participate in this unique and fun event.

Every year the Race to Erase committee selects a different charity to support. This year’s event is called Race to Erase Homelessness. Next year they will support Goodwill Industries.

Source: The Sarnia Observer, Racetoerase.com

Harry Potter mania has hit a new high with the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7). Many bookstores planned midnight sales events to celebrate the final J.K. Rowling book in her popular Harry Potter series.

A popular Canadian bookseller also turned Pottermania into a fundraising event. The Harry Potter Midnight Bash at Bryan Prince Booksellers in Hamilton, Ontario benefited The Hamilton Literary Council. The fun family event included a scavenger hunt, costume contest, a Hogwarts sorting hat and free pizza.

Approximately 200 – 300 adults and children attended the bookstore event. The Hamilton Literacy Council from the last Harry Potter bash raised $1,000 and they are awaiting the final fund-raising results for this event.

The Hamilton Literacy Council is very grateful to Bryan Prince Booksellers, which completely organizes the event. The charity is then given $2 for every Harry Potter book sold, which is a donation straight from Bryan Prince Booksellers. They have done the event twice to benefit the charity, and Bryan Prince Booksellers has hosted Harry Potter bashes for at least four of the books.

Valerie Sadler, Executive Director looks forward to the Harry Potter events tremendously. “The excitement in the air, people waiting for the Harry Potter book to come out. When I was on my way home I could see people sitting on the sidewalk, reading the book. Once they got it, people immediately started reading it. It was a sight to see,” said Sadler. “The books have brought so many young people into reading, especially boys.” Sadler believes the event has a wonderful connection to literacy.

The Hamilton Literacy Council is an adult literacy program and they provide one-to-one tutoring with trained volunteer tutors and also offer small group instruction with paid instructors. They serve people with low-literacy levels. “Next year we celebrate our 35th anniversary of serving adults in the Hamilton community,” said Sadler.

The Hamilton Literacy Council serves 180 people a year and has served thousands over the years.

While this was the last of the Harry Potter books, there will be two more film adaptations. There is still the potential for Harry Potter movie fundraisers to be held. Non Profit organizations can benefit from latching on to this and other popular films and entertainment events when planning fundraising events.

Langley’s Critter Care Wildlife Refuge of Langley, British Columbia takes in abandoned wildlife. They hold an open house only once a year, when the public is a allowed to visit. Visitors take a guided tour to see wild animals — such as baby coyotes, beavers, fawns, raccoons and bobcats.

The open house fund-raiser helps the organization pay for needed expenses to care for the animals. The organization is run completely by volunteers and they are dependent on donations, memberships and grants for funds. Funds helps pay for animal food, vet bills and housing for the animals. The milk bill for the animals each year is $15,000. The centre accepts an average of 800 animals each year.

Twenty-six children shaved their heads in a fund-raiser for cancer that raised $14,011.71 to benefit the Canadian Cancer Society. This summer they won’t have to worry about washing their hair before they can run out and play.

Their generous spirit was appreciated by Tom Shindruk, a 71 year old cancer survivor from Calgary. When asked if the children had been affected by cancer, more than half of the children raised their hands.

By using a program called “scrip” schools and other groups can sell gift cards and make a commission on each and every one. One of the keys to a winning scrip program is offering cards for retailers where your supporters already shop.

Canadian scrip company FundScrip had grocery giant Loblaw enlisted — until a new Loblaw’s corporate policy changed that. Customers however, were none too pleased. The FundScrip program is currently used by 700 non-profit groups and participants expressed their disappointment through letters and a petition — which garnered over 1,300 signatures.

Now after pressure from customers Loblaw has reversed its decision and is once again participating in the fundraising program. Many schools and other non profit groups are relieved.

Carol Blake, who started the Loblaw Internet petition from Kincardine, Ont., praised the company’s turnaround. Blake has raised $16,000 through FundScrip for Kincardine Township Tiverton Public School since 2004. Yesterday, she placed an $8,000 order for gift cards, $2,000 more than last week’s order.

“It’s fantastic they’re back,” Blake said. “It’s pennies that we raise on each card, but $2,000 a week is a lot of pennies.”

Source: Montreal Gazette

One of the aspects of publishing this site that has continually amazed me is the number of readers from countries outside the USA. I’ve spoken with many activists, fundraisers and volunteers dedicated to a variety of causes from all over the world. Many of the same fundraising strategies that I write about apply to groups regardless of type or border.

There are some times when I’m a bit hesitant to offer specific advice without knowing more about a NGO/NPO’s situation. For example, groups working in developing countries or those with struggling economies will also struggle with most forms of event or product fundraising. But the foundational priciple of fundraising as relationship building is universal.

For those raising funds causes around the world, I’d love to hear from you. I’d also like to add to the list of links for specific countries. If you know of any good websites for non USA fundraising help, just let me know.

Canadian Fundraisers
International Fundraising (Outside the USA)