Steps

1. Know your goal. Write it down and keep track of incoming donations.

2. Take advantage of any special talents you might have. Maybe you sew and crochet--make some items to sell. You can sell them online, at a craft show, or set up shop in your own front garden, and have a jumble sale to go with it, to earn extra.

3. Ask for money. Write a letter explaining your cause, why you are involved, who is to benefit, etc. It's a good idea to request a specific amount or set different levels. (£20 = Silver, £100 = Gold, 500 = Platinum, etc.) Send your letter to EVERYONE. Friends, family, coworkers, neighbours, dentist, teacher, and and anyone else you interact with.

4. Sell stuff.

   • There are many companies who sell goods wholesale to non-profits for resale. Think back to junior school or scouting when you sold wrapping paper or candles.

   • A hot trend right now is to sell gift cards. Stores & restaurants may sell them to you at a discount, then you sell them at face value.

   • Perhaps you or someone you know has a creative talent ie: making jewelry or quilting.

   • Sell your time. Offer to do chores around the neighbourhood.

5. Hold an event. Take inventory of the people you know. Do you know any musicians or celebrities who would play a benefit show? Do you know any hunky firemen who would participate in a bachelor auction. Ask a bar/club you frequent if they would be willing to set aside a special night where a percentage of the door/drinks goes towards your cause if you get people in the door.

6. Have an auction. Silent auctions are the easiest to organize and often bring the greatest returns. Ask local retailers if they would like to donate goods or services. They get a nice tax write off, advertising and good PR. Have stuff for as many price ranges as you can find. Spa treatments, hotel weekends and gift certificates are big sellers.

7. Hold a 50/50 raffle. Charge five pounds a ticket to enter. The winner gets half the money collected. For example: You get 100 people to buy a ticket at &5 each. That is £500. The winner gets £250 & the charity gets £250. You can also tack on any other prizes you can get donated, like gift certificates, to make the raffle more appealing. The more prizes available, the more likely a person will win something!

8. Create an online fundraising page (e.g. try www.firstgiving.com). Create a webpage, send the link to your family, friends, co-workers, parishoners, teammates, etc. and collect donations via credit cards online. It's easy and simple, and elliminates spending a lot of time sending letters, calling people, and organizing big events.
   

Tips

• Be creative. People are "hit up" for money from every angle. Stand out.

• Be honest. If you are raffling off a £10 gift certificate to Denny's, don't advertise a glamorous evening out for two.

• Say thank you. If people donate anything, thank them as if they gave a million. If they don't donate, thank them for their time. They may donate next time.
  

Warnings

• Don't take a "no" personally. Some people can't give, some don't want to. Either way, it is not a personal attack on you or your organization.

 

This article has been reprinted using the creative commons licence and provided by Ninja Jen