Hi Everyone~
I have had a few responses from the last fundraising tips newsletter and I wanted to incorporate a few of the questions and comments in this one. I encourage comments...it gives me something to write about:)
Summertime is usually a slow time for fundraising but it is a GREAT time to hold one. Summer fundraisers can be beneficial because all the schools are out and not doing their fundraisers. This allows you to sell to people you work with, friends and neighbors without them being pressed by all the other groups! I know many of our chapters aren't active during the Summer BUT with the knowledge that a GREAT fundraiser could be held...I bet your members would come together to help out no matter the season.
The following tips will basically stay the same because they apply to every fundraiser you EVER hold!
1. Always consider the upcoming holidays when planning a fundraiser!
Fourth of July - flags,
Mother's Day - corsages, gardening kits
Father's Day - tool kits, ties
2. Always advertise!
The local news channels, radio stations and newspapers will ABSOLUTELY offer your event a FREE mention. Contact your University public relations person and ask them to help you get the word out, they will either tell you exactly who to contact or they will contact them on behalf of your group. Flyers are the most inexpensive ways to advertise. For the cost of paper and ink (most of the universities will allow you to print on their dime...ask your advisor) you can create AMAZING advertisements! Take those flyers EVERYWHERE: grocery store bulletin boards, hospital break rooms, anywhere there are a lot of people coming and going. Utilize your members: Have each member take flyers to their churches, businesses, day cares, etc. The more people that know about your fundraiser the more people that will come out and support you. Another great source of advertisement are community websites, check around and see if their is a website in your area that is used for people to go and chat about community happenings...you will be surprised at how many are actually out there and they are FREE to use!
In order to have a successful fundraiser you must plan ahead and allow plenty of time. Remember that local businesses are more accessible and are often more apt to help out with donations and always send Thank You notes to those that help out with your fundraiser....it makes them much more willing to help out in the future!
Fundraising Ideas
Water Sells
Start your fundraiser by contacting local bottled water distributor. tell them who you are and ask them for a donation of water or at least a LOW price. You will be surprised at how easy it is to get them to say yes when they hear that you will be advertising THEIR business all over the community:). Now why you have them in a good mood...ask about a custom label. These types of labels have a cute little pics (summer sun, Smiley faces, beach scene, etc). the Society's name and the distributor's name...they are prepared by the bottling company and are done for no charge for fundraisers just like this...all you have to do is ask. Once you have secured the water and the labels...it is time to find a great location to sell them. During the Summer people are out and about much more so check with your local sports park, Wal-Mart, Kmart, or any business that has lots of traffic to see if you can set up and sell the water. Another great idea is to contact the people in charge of community wide events like parades in your city...they will be glad to have you selling water for charity:) On the day(s) of your sell...you might want to coordinate another one of your fundraisers with the water, a great time to sell the cookbooks I told you about in the last newsletter:) Have several donation jars on hand for attendees that don’t want to “play” but may donate to your cause.
Picnic Basket Raffle (depending on the state your in....you may not be able to call it a raffle)
Put together the most awesome picnic basket ever and sell tickets for the chance to win it. Coordinate the date of the drawing with some BIG event happening in the community and contact those in charge of that event to see if you can draw and announce the winner at the event.....they will say yes because it is an extra incentive for people to come to their event:) Plastic plates, cups, utensils, napkins and a blanket are a given so those things have to be in there but here are some cool ideas for the other "stuff": Gift cards to a local chicken place and bakery...they have to have food:) Sunscreen, bug spray, head visors, a Frisbee, a football, sparkling grape juice, and a disposable camera are all the usual things you find in a picnic basket but remember to decorate it with FLAIR! Use your imagination:)
Car Wash
This is one of the most used and recognizable fundraisers. You will want to find a place to have the car wash at. There needs to be a source of water that you can use. A school, gas station, or church on a busy main road would be a good location. You will need to have all of your own supplies, such as a garden hose, buckets, sponges, towels, and car wash soap. Pick a date for your car wash, and plan a rain date as well. A rainy day would completely ruin your car wash. Make signs for members to hold by the street to bring in the cars. Advertise with flyers, your city’s cable station, and in your local newspapers. Charge a set amount for a car wash, or accept donations. You may earn more by leaving it up to each individual. Have some small bills on hand in order to make change. Most of all, remember to have fun.
Filler Up
Full service gas stations used to be the way of life in America. Now it is rare to see them anywhere. Bring back the service, even if just for a day, to a local gas station. Find a gas station that is willing to help your group out (try to use one of the "Mom and Pop places). Have your group become gas station attendants for the day. For a donation have members of your group pump gas and clean the windows of all the cars that come into the gas station. Most people will be more than happy to let you help them. Gas stations provide the squeegees, cleaning solution and paper towels already, so you will have all the equipment you need. You could ask for a set amount, but most people will be more generous if you just tell them to feel free to give whatever they would like. Make sure you advertise locally to improve your turnout. Another idea for this is to have "local celebrities" to help out: news reporters, the mayor, councilmen, etc. The warm months mean vacations which means lots of traffic at the gas station!!! (You might want to ask if you can sell your water too).
Send comments, questions or suggestions to Donna Windham @ cjs_mama2000@yahoo.com
Hi Everyone~
I have had a few responses from the last fundraising tips newsletter and I wanted to incorporate a few of the questions and comments in this one. I encourage comments...it gives me something to write about:)
Summertime is usually a slow time for fundraising but it is a GREAT time to hold one. Summer fundraisers can be beneficial because all the schools are out and not doing their fundraisers. This allows you to sell to people you work with, friends and neighbors without them being pressed by all the other groups! I know many of our chapters aren't active during the Summer BUT with the knowledge that a GREAT fundraiser could be held...I bet your members would come together to help out no matter the season.
The following tips will basically stay the same because they apply to every fundraiser you EVER hold!
1. Always consider the upcoming holidays when planning a fundraiser!
Fourth of July - flags,
Mother's Day - corsages, gardening kits
Father's Day - tool kits, ties
2. Always advertise!
The local news channels, radio stations and newspapers will ABSOLUTELY offer your event a FREE mention. Contact your University public relations person and ask them to help you get the word out, they will either tell you exactly who to contact or they will contact them on behalf of your group. Flyers are the most inexpensive ways to advertise. For the cost of paper and ink (most of the universities will allow you to print on their dime...ask your advisor) you can create AMAZING advertisements! Take those flyers EVERYWHERE: grocery store bulletin boards, hospital break rooms, anywhere there are a lot of people coming and going. Utilize your members: Have each member take flyers to their churches, businesses, day cares, etc. The more people that know about your fundraiser the more people that will come out and support you. Another great source of advertisement are community websites, check around and see if their is a website in your area that is used for people to go and chat about community happenings...you will be surprised at how many are actually out there and they are FREE to use!
In order to have a successful fundraiser you must plan ahead and allow plenty of time. Remember that local businesses are more accessible and are often more apt to help out with donations and always send Thank You notes to those that help out with your fundraiser....it makes them much more willing to help out in the future!
Fundraising Ideas
Water Sells
Start your fundraiser by contacting local bottled water distributor. tell them who you are and ask them for a donation of water or at least a LOW price. You will be surprised at how easy it is to get them to say yes when they hear that you will be advertising THEIR business all over the community:). Now why you have them in a good mood...ask about a custom label. These types of labels have a cute little pics (summer sun, Smiley faces, beach scene, etc). the Society's name and the distributor's name...they are prepared by the bottling company and are done for no charge for fundraisers just like this...all you have to do is ask. Once you have secured the water and the labels...it is time to find a great location to sell them. During the Summer people are out and about much more so check with your local sports park, Wal-Mart, Kmart, or any business that has lots of traffic to see if you can set up and sell the water. Another great idea is to contact the people in charge of community wide events like parades in your city...they will be glad to have you selling water for charity:) On the day(s) of your sell...you might want to coordinate another one of your fundraisers with the water, a great time to sell the cookbooks I told you about in the last newsletter:) Have several donation jars on hand for attendees that don’t want to “play” but may donate to your cause.
Picnic Basket Raffle (depending on the state your in....you may not be able to call it a raffle)
Put together the most awesome picnic basket ever and sell tickets for the chance to win it. Coordinate the date of the drawing with some BIG event happening in the community and contact those in charge of that event to see if you can draw and announce the winner at the event.....they will say yes because it is an extra incentive for people to come to their event:) Plastic plates, cups, utensils, napkins and a blanket are a given so those things have to be in there but here are some cool ideas for the other "stuff": Gift cards to a local chicken place and bakery...they have to have food:) Sunscreen, bug spray, head visors, a Frisbee, a football, sparkling grape juice, and a disposable camera are all the usual things you find in a picnic basket but remember to decorate it with FLAIR! Use your imagination:)
Car Wash
This is one of the most used and recognizable fundraisers. You will want to find a place to have the car wash at. There needs to be a source of water that you can use. A school, gas station, or church on a busy main road would be a good location. You will need to have all of your own supplies, such as a garden hose, buckets, sponges, towels, and car wash soap. Pick a date for your car wash, and plan a rain date as well. A rainy day would completely ruin your car wash. Make signs for members to hold by the street to bring in the cars. Advertise with flyers, your city’s cable station, and in your local newspapers. Charge a set amount for a car wash, or accept donations. You may earn more by leaving it up to each individual. Have some small bills on hand in order to make change. Most of all, remember to have fun.
Filler Up
Full service gas stations used to be the way of life in America. Now it is rare to see them anywhere. Bring back the service, even if just for a day, to a local gas station. Find a gas station that is willing to help your group out (try to use one of the "Mom and Pop places). Have your group become gas station attendants for the day. For a donation have members of your group pump gas and clean the windows of all the cars that come into the gas station. Most people will be more than happy to let you help them. Gas stations provide the squeegees, cleaning solution and paper towels already, so you will have all the equipment you need. You could ask for a set amount, but most people will be more generous if you just tell them to feel free to give whatever they would like. Make sure you advertise locally to improve your turnout. Another idea for this is to have "local celebrities" to help out: news reporters, the mayor, councilmen, etc. The warm months mean vacations which means lots of traffic at the gas station!!! (You might want to ask if you can sell your water too).
Send comments, questions or suggestions to Donna Windham @ cjs_mama2000@yahoo.com