How To Fundraise

By Leeanne Utiger
Fundraising can and is in fact a crucial part of any organisation and is a worldwide activity.

Knowing how to fundraise successfully can make all the difference in achieving sort after 'profits'.

There are many ways to hold a fundraiser. Bike-a-thons, Auctions, Garage Sales, Cake Stalls, Craft Stalls, Discos, Raffles. The list can in fact be endless. It is the preparation behind the fundraiser which makes it the success you want it to be.

Take for instance a Raffle. The key magnetic pull to another actually purchasing tickets is in reality the prizes you have on offer. The better the prizes, the more tickets you are likely to sell. There are often however rules and regulations to the 'prize pool' of donated or gifted goods for such a fundraiser. You will need to thoroughly check these rules and regulations out with your local authorities on this matter.

To obtain such prizes, which can vary from 'Weekend Get-a-ways' to a bottle of perfume, to a childs toy can be easily achieved using a documentation approach to many businesses throughout your local area and also to other businesses throughout the country you reside in.

An easy and very effective method of approach is by simply using electronic mail (email). Create a list of the types of prizes you would like to have and search for business that deal with or sell such items. In your emailed documentation, you must state who you are making the enquiry on behalf of, the name of your organisation and what it is you are trying to raise money. Another words, what the profits from the raffle will in fact be used for.

Be precise. If you are asking for a gift voucher, say you are asking for a gift voucher. If you are asking for an item donation, say you are asking for an item donation. It is then up to the businesses themselves to consider your request and either make a donation or politely decline your request. Yes, you will strike some businesses that will not respond to your request. If this happens, simply move on to the next on your list. It is not wise to continually 'hound', make requests from the same company. This will not be appreciated. If a business does in fact make a donation, it is often polite or good business to offer something in return. For example, if a business offers you a nights accommodation somewhere, in return offer to name them as a sponsor of the raffle on the printed tickets. This can therefore in the future generate additional for the company itself. And always, on receiving any donated/gifted vouchers or donations, forward a thank you letter/email showing your appreciation and gratitude.

Now take a Bike-a-thon or the likes. This form of fundraising can be relatively easy. Simply crate and print off sponsorship forms and send them home with the children. (This is often a good and fun fundraiser done at schools). The children are then to gain sponsorship from family members/friends of the family and possibly neighbours.

In addition to the fundraiser ideas above, throughout the countries worldwide, there are companies that offer to organisations special fundraiser ventures that can be accepted and taken up. I know in New Zealand, the Cadbury Of New Zealand Chocolate Company offer to organisations Fundraiser Chocolate Boxes to be sold. This is known to be a huge success. This is only but merely one example.

Businesses and companies who do offer such things, can be found on the internet. All it takes is for you to have a look.

So if you need some fundraising kicked into action, what are you waiting for? Fundraising does not have to be a headache, it can in fact be a whole heap of fun.

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