Author Archive
Jan
1. Write to ONE person – When you start writing the fundraising letter, imagine you are writing to only one person, not a group of people. This will help you get into the best frame of mind to write the letter. It also will help your letter sound more personable.
Use singular word forms, not plural – avoid words and phrases like “some of you” when addressing the reader. Instead use the personal, singular form “you.” This mirrors the way that the letter will be read by the recipient.
2. Be Specific – When writing fundraising letters the more specific you can be, the better your message will be understood and the greater the response rate. Ask your reader to make a specific response, such as a donation of money, goods or services. You can offer several specific dollar amounts include a specific date that you need the response by.
If your appeal will benefit a specific project, mission or program, say so. Describe how the donations will help with this particular project. Include a few brief details about where the donation will be used and the positive results it will bring.
3. Stay Focused – When writing a fundraising letter stay focused on the outcome you would like to see. Make one request and communicate this message clearly. Avoid discussing topics that are not directly related to your appeal or that do not support the message of your letter.
4. Descriptive Phrases – Use the most descriptive adjectives and adverbs in your letter to clarify your message. However, when writing fundraising letters be especially careful not to over embellish or exaggerate.
5. Keep it Simple – It’s important to include information about your organization and why you’re writing. However, a fundraising letter is not the place to include lengthy official mission statements or a long description of your future plans.
When writing fundraising letters don’t go overboard with extremely detailed numbers and jargon that the reader may not be familiar with. Remember to focus on information that is relevant and compelling to the potential reader.
6. Personalization – If you are writing a fundraising letter to a specific donor, include specific information related to them. If it’s a repeat donor, discuss ways that his or her previous contributions have made a difference in your organization.
7. Narratives & Success Stories – One of the most successful ways that you can get your message across is to describe a story of a specific person or situation that your organization has helped.
If your group has made some major achievements and successes these can also be of use. When writing a fundraising letter remember to include stories that will engage the reader, not just show off accomplishments.
- Bookmark :
- Digg
- del.icio.us
- Stumbleupon
- Redit it
Jan
Sales Contests – prizes for volunteers who sell the most raffle tickets, have the highest sales in a product fundraiser or otherwise raise the most money with your campaign. Prizes can be anything from a gift certificate, a plaque, free tickets to an event or a trip.
Thank you gifts for donors – Provide small thank you tokens depending on the level of giving. Thank you gifts could be items such as books or DVDs or event oriented such as a cocktail party, concert or other special gathering just for donors.
2. Multiple Fundraisers – Event fundraisers should always have several ways to bring in revenue. Examples include silent auctions, raffles, advertising in programs, food, corporate sponsors, booth rental, entry fees or souvenirs.
3. Partnerships – Partnering with other organizations, businesses and individuals can help in your fundraising efforts. For example, a fundraising event may be easier to plan and have greater attendance when it is sponsored by two organizations. Creating a sponsorship or advertising program will help involve businesses and individuals and underwrite the costs of your fundraiser.
4. Donations – When planning a fundraising event get as much donated as possible, this includes food, facilities and supplies. Prizes for silent auctions, raffles, door prizes and incentives should always be donated.
5. Increase Publicity – Just like in the business world, people need to be exposed to an opportunity multiple times before “buying.” Fundraising events should increase publicity during the weeks leading up to an event using press releases, banners and other advertising. Letter campaigns are most effective with multiple contacts including follow up letters, postcards and/or telephone calls.
- Bookmark :
- Digg
- del.icio.us
- Stumbleupon
- Redit it
Jan
Fundraising Is A Team Effort
Posted by (0) Comment
Leaders will help set a positive direction for the group through their attitude, decisiveness and actions. Leaders often research fundraising ideas and strategies, and find the best ones to present to the group for consideration. They lead the discussion of the planning sessions and gently steer the group away from potential problems and toward ways that the group can maximize its effectiveness.
2. Set Goals as a Team
Everyone on the team should have a clear idea of what results are to be anticipated from the fundraising project and what volunteers will be expected to do. What is the monetary goal of the fundraiser? What are the important dates for getting everything done? Make sure everyone is aware of these important facts.
3. Define Responsibilities
Creating committees with sub committee chair persons helps define responsibilities and spread out the work load of planning the fundraiser. Each sub committee chair knows what he or she is in charge of and then can make appropriate progress in that area. For example, a dinner fundraiser would have sub committees for decorations, food, ticket sales, etc.
4. Communicate Effectively
Planning out meeting dates for the entire fundraising campaign in advance will help the team to communicate regularly and make progress. As you get closer to the event, additional meetings may be necessary.
It’s helpful for leaders to understand which method of communication works for individual members and for the group as a whole, whether it is by telephone, e-mail, in person meetings or a combination.
5. Be Flexible
While you may try your best to plan everything out in advance for the fundraiser, changes are inevitable. Some volunteers may need to drop out for personal reasons, or you may find that the fundraising plan needs to be revised. When team members, especially leaders, are open and flexible your group can adapt to the changes and regroup in time to still make the fundraiser a success.
Positive Teamwork Brings Results
By organizing and running the fundraising program with a group of people, supporters can combine talents and resources to raise more money. When your fundraising drive is over, each person who participated can feel a sense of accomplishment that their contributions, no matter how small, made a difference.
- Bookmark :
- Digg
- del.icio.us
- Stumbleupon
- Redit it
Jan
7 Tips for Planning School Events
Posted by (0) Comment
School events often support the learning environment and curriculum of the school. Schools often plan events such as science fairs, cultural exhibitions, music performances and art fairs which support the curriculum. They are fun events where children get to enhance their learning and self esteem.
Often fundraisers are operated at the same time as regularly scheduled school events. Sports games and tournaments have concession stands. Evening events such as science fairs can have a dinner added on as a fun family event and fundraiser.
Here are 7 tips to remember when planning school events.
1. Make your school event fun or unique. Even if it’s a carnival or other event that you’ve been doing for years think of twists that will get more students and parents excited about participating.
2. Events take volunteers. Usually a lot of them! Carefully consider how much manpower it will take to pull off the school event you are considering.
3. After deciding on the event type, organize into committees for each aspect of the event. For example: publicity, decorations, food, event set-up, clean up, etc.
4. Better safe than sorry. When planning your event date be aware of conflicting events. Make sure your event does not fall on the same day as other important events in the area. If you are having an outdoor event, have a contingency plan for bad weather.
5. Keep the costs of your school event low! Ask for parents and business leaders to donate supplies.
6. Paying for advertising such as TV and billboards can be a waste of resources. Only a very small percentage of the people who see the advertisement will actually come. Many times the best advertisement is word of mouth. Use free media such as press releases, fliers sent home to parents, email and phone calls.
7. Involve as many pockets of your school and community as possible. For example, let each grade, school club and even community organizations hold their own booth. If you are having a ticketed event, let other community groups sell tickets and keep a percentage of the revenue from tickets they sell.
- Bookmark :
- Digg
- del.icio.us
- Stumbleupon
- Redit it