Fundraising for Your State Bob Donnelly DE Fundraising
Fundraising for Your State Bob Donnelly (DE)
Fundraising n It is the process of soliciting and gathering contributions by requesting donations from individuals, businesses and other foundations.
Why should You Fundraise? n You fundraise for a sense of purpose or meaning that you find in your work. n Fundraising provides financial freedom for a non-profit to pursue their mission. n Most people continue to fundraise because they strongly believe in their mission and they have a vision for their organization.
Publicity n The success of your Fundraiser depends on how much publicity your group can attract. Community awareness will always increase your overall financial results. – Press Releases – Website – Facebook – Flyers/Posters – Other Events
Press Releases Do public announcements. DSRC utilized radio talk show hosts, they did FREE announcements over the air. n Public Service Cable Channel (Free) n Newspaper ads (Small Fee) $180. 00 sm ½ pg ad. n Target your audience. Delaware has a local free paper called the Spark that targets locals under 40 yr. n
Website / Facebook n Society website and Facebook is the easiest way to spread the word, communicate and highlight your goals , thank your sponsors, thank individuals who made contributions and give constant updates. E-mail- Spread the word, do the chain e-mails. n DSRC used a server called Piryx, which allowed us to put pictures of people and collect donations via Credit Card. They charged about 4. 5 % of transaction fee. n
Flyers / Posters n Place at local Hot Spots that are highly visible and high traffic areas. -Depending on what cliental you are looking for will determine where you are placing the advertisements.
Preparation for the event Recruit good volunteers - Start early - Energetic and Helpful n Define Positions -Set up a list that clearly defines: - Job roles, responsibilities, and expectations. n Be proactive, target specific skill sets: match up tasks with personalities. n Have a core of volunteers with experience and fill out the rest with ones that you can groom. n
Board Members n Use Them !! Every member should be involved in one way or another. n Every board member has connections with someone within the community. Utilize !! n Every board member should make a contribution to your event. n The more people that get the word out the more successful your event will be.
Failures / Mistakes n n Lack of Planning- Start out with a time line at least 6 -8 months. Get the ball rolling Don’t repeat the fundraiser if the results were marginal. “The goal is to make money not lose it!” Not enough help- You could burned out your core group. Low quality merchandise- stay within a budget but don’t be cheesy.
n Inadequate sales presentation- If volunteers are selling items make sure they know the script, you want them all to be on the same page, you don’t want missed opportunities == less $$$. n No Donation script- Have a donation letter sent out to prospective donors with your organizations letterhead describing your mission.
Why does the DSRC Fundraise?
Members We offer free CEU Dinners to a limited number of members. n We offer “A Night Out At The Blue Rocks” tickets to the Wilmington Blue Rocks, a minor league Baseball Team in Delaware, limited number of members. n Free Hayride and BBQ before Halloween for members and their families. n Free Bowling Night to a limited number of members. n
Asthma Camp n Asthma Camp takes place over 3 weeks each summer, one week in New Castle County one in Sussex County and one in Kent County. This camp enables area children with chronic asthma the opportunity to attend a camp supervised by a Respiratory Therapists, Rn’s and Physicians.
Last Year’s Fundraisers n Poker Tournament n Golf Tournament n Guest Bartender Night
Poker Night n n n n n 40 people paid $100. 00 to enter Spent about 4 months prep time Had to purchase liability insurance ($200. 00) State Gaming License ($250. 00) Purchase food/beverages ($450. 00) Poker Co. to run Tournament ($250. 00) Raise minimal amt of funds (couple hundred dollars) Now Delaware has Racenios. Live Table games and slots. Bad timing? ? Not enough interest? Not a event that we will pursue in the future
Golf Tournament Held once a year Local course 6 -8 months in advance prep time 12 volunteers on the course - Beverage carts - Speciality stands - Selling Raffle Items n Silent auction items n Mulligan' s and String Game n 5 yr average $8, 000 - 10, 000 net n n
Some ways we were making $$
Guest Bartender Night n n n n Once a year fundraiser at a local pub 3 year average $19, 000 - $24, 000 net 6 - month prep time Group of 10 volunteers 3 Committees - Bartenders, Silent Auction/Volunteers and Sponsors Need motivated Bartenders (Volunteers) Need Silent auction donations Must buy Bartender shirts and wristbands
Bartenders n We need 3 bartenders @ each bar (3 bars) 36 bartenders 7 -11. n Each bartender must sell 15 tix @ 10. 00 each ($5400. 00) Prior to the Night. Most sell more. Waiver to sign. n Each bartender must bring a silent auction item.
Bartender Website We have a bartender link attached to the DSRC website that has a list of all the bartenders with a picture of them and a running tab of online donations that they collected. Piryx website. Link can be attached to Facebook and emailed directly out to solicit donations. n We had over $3, 400. 00 online donations from our bartenders n Night of $2, 800. 00 Bar Tips n Total $6, 200. 00 just in Tips. n
Bartender Tip Jar- We raised over $2, 800. 00 in bar tips in 5 hrs.
Silent Auction items- 30 items varies GC/Wine/Pics/Jerseys etc…
Wheelbarrow of Cheer. Bartender donations. Over 30 bottles of alcohol, raffle tickets ($2 -5 $5 -10 arm -$20)
2 Bands that played in upstairs bar area from 7: 30 -12 pm
Live auction- 2 Game 2 tix to Phillies vs Cincinnati Gm 2 Playoffs Tix sold for $550. 00
Some Bartenders
Totals for GBN 2010 Pre event tix sales $5, 400. 00 n Tips (online and night of) $6, 200. 00 n Night of event and $10, 500. 00 Sponsorships _______ Total $22, 100. 00 Expenses (Bar, Shirts) - $1, 500. 00 _______ TOTAL GBN 2010 $20, 600. 00 n
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