List of Fundraising Ideas for Nonprofits
How Nonprofit Organizations can Survive the Recession
May 11, 2009
Everyday that goes by the news gets worse with constant reports of the adverse effects of this recession. The nonprofit sector hears about the problems foundations are having with their investment portfolios. Constantly trying to raise funds from new donors who just seemed tapped out. Large donors seemed to have disappeared, budget cuts are deep and the end seems near.
Now is the Time for New Fundraising IdeasNonprofit organizations need fundraising ideas that can be implemented easily and inexpensively. Definitely ones that will make something positive happen and reassure the donors that the organization, like the phoenix, has risen from the ashes. New fundraising ideas will make something good happen. So what kind of fundraising ideas work in these uncertain times?
One Basic Fundraising Idea is Find an Item to Sell All Year.
People like to give but not everyone is capable of a major gift. So help small donors contribute by selling an item they can use. In Roswell, Georgia the local baseball teams raise the baseball budget selling $10 discount gift cards to local neighbors. Kids get the discount gift cards at the beginning of the season and sell as many as ten at church the first Sunday after the discount cards come in.
Find something like a discount gift card that everyone can sell all year long. Something that sells in the winter and in the summer. Something that local business, schools and churches would help with along with civic associations.
A very important task for this fundraising idea is to find someone who would take responsibility for and account for the inventory to make sure it’s a financial success. Give this volunteer a couple of discount gift cards for helping or maybe a gift certificate to a local restaurant. It never hurts to hold out some incentives. In this financial environment it's surprising how little it takes to activate someone’s motivation.
Have a kick-off party along with some easy snacks like hot dogs, chips or dip. Try potluck so all involved can contribute. Again, in this environment parties are special, which will get everyone excited about selling discount gift cads
A Silent Auction is an Excellent Fundraising Idea
Find a good place (major donor's mansion) to have a blow out party. Charge $5.00 a head and have a silent auction. A local church in Roswell Georgia, Christ United Methodist Church, had a silent auction last year and raised over $4,000 in one evening. Joanne Rooks told Suite 101, “It takes about three months to get enough free gifts donated, then invite everyone you know or have known or would like to know.”
Volunteers can decorate, cook finger foods and setup the party location. Make it a Saturday night so donors can clear that date. It is a good idea to send out a hold-that-date card like a wedding. Then enjoy the fun, fellowship and competition for items to be auctioned. Silent auctions, as a fundraising idea, for a worthwhile organization can be done successfully twice a year.
Collaborative Partnerships Increase the Effectiveness of Fundraising Ideas for Nonprofits
Nonprofits should be looking for ways to increase their impact at this time while also sharing expenses to get more bang for the buck. There is no better way then forming a collaborative partnership to accomplish this goal. A goal that is real because more people need more assistance during times of economic turmoil.
Funding sources will be excited about the prospect of increasing the nonprofit organizations footprint while lowering cost. How can this be done? Well, pool the existing resources, merge or eliminate all programs and assemble the talent to form a partnership that operates under a set of rules called a collaborative partnership agreement.
Collaborative partnerships must have personal synergy to pull this off. Form an agreement called a collaborative partnership agreement that spells out the management, programs and areas that will survive the merger. Everyone in management and on the board of directors must be on board for this to be successful. These type arrangements can be done quickly but communication with donors is key to making it a smooth transition.
Form a committee that is comprised of top executives and the board of both organizations and have a weekend brainstorming session on fundraising ideas. Make decisions about the fundraisers and the future. It will improve the synergy and is a great team building exercise to start the merger. The fundraising ideas that will come from this retreat will help to solidify the nonprofit organization's future in this recession.
Start planning these three fundraising ideas tomorrow and put the recession on the back burner. Keep making a list of fundraising ideas that will help the organization grow and prosper in these times of turmoil. Remember it is very important to fill the gaps in service that are needed in a recession.
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