Fund Raising Tips

Personal
For a donor to desire to give, the cause needs to touch the heart and emotions. The first tool of fundraising is to make the cause personal to the donor. Contact through letters, email or phone calls. If the funds will feed children or families, provide shelter or pay medical bills, don't just present facts and figures. Tell a story. Share how someone has been helped, in that person's own words if possible. Once you've touched the heart with the need, present those facts of how much you need to raise and how this will specifically help individuals.

Dinner
Holding a dinner is a fundraiser tool. Put together a list of potential donors from those who've donated in the past or who would have an interest in your cause. For example, if you are fundraising to build housing or shelter, contact builders, contractors and home building businesses in the area. If you seek to raise funds for medical treatment, contact medical personal such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc. Invites should include enough information to draw potential donors to the dinner. Donors are drawn by a speaker of whom they've heard, a topic of interest, or a singer or group highlighting the evening. Along with other speakers or entertainment, share stories and the need. Offer the opportunity to donate, making sure to thank those who donate before the dinner.

Flyers/Posters
Another fundraising tool include the promotion of flyers and posters. Let people know about your fundraiser with eye-catching flyers and posters. The flyers and posters should include all the information needed for the person reading to donate. Flyers can be handed out, while posters can be tacked up on bulletin boards and put in the windows of business establishments. People do not spend a great deal of time reading a poster. Provide basic information with a website link, a telephone number or someway to donate. If the poster refers to a rally or dinner or other fundraiser gathering, include the details. You can include more information in a flyer, but not so much a potential donor stops reading. Make your flyers and posters, readable, informative and clearly state how the reader may help and why.

Media Stories
The media is still another fundraising tool. Write press releases about your fundraiser to send out to print, radio and television news outlets. Besides basic information, highlight those working to organize the fundraiser. Highlight those who've been helped in the past and those the money from the fundraiser will help with this fundraiser. Give TV Interviews. You may even work with the media to give updates as the fundraiser progresses and provide media access for further stories. Be accessible to the media.

Social Media
Use social media to contact potential donors. Let your friends know about the fundraiser. Start social media pages specifically geared to the fundraising effort. Ask friends to contact friends to join and donate. Keep those who sign up updated about fundraising efforts, needs and responses.

Use every tool you can to bring in funds for your fundraising cause.

"Fundraising Ideas," Janus Charity Challenge

"Fundraising Tools" National Ms Society