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Online training for you or your entire organization to work successfully with volunteers! Learn More
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Whether
involved in a grassroots organization or a major national institution, gaining financial
support for the volunteer program from outside of your organization has
undoubtedly crossed your plate. The resources below offer advice from
increasing financial support to effectively planning events that will gain
interest from your community and even beyond.
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Featured Book
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How to Produce Fabulous Fundraising
Events: Reap Remarkable Returns with Minimal Effort
by Betty Stallings and Donna McMillion
Hurrah! A book on fundraising
that emphasizes the importance of volunteers and the principles of volunteer
management. The authors generously share their blueprint for selecting,
planning, and running a profitable fundraiser.
Order the book NOW! (e-book, US $15.00)
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More Resources about Promoting and Fundraising for Your Volunteer Program
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A Toolkit for Volunteer Speed Matching
Think speed dating meets volunteer recruiting! This clever event
is sure to draw the attention of your local media.
Secrets of Successful Fundraising: The Best from the Non-Profit Pros
Nineteen top fundraising professionals clearly explain all your options for
increasing your revenue and promoting your organization.
Volunteer Administration and the Fundraising Profession (electronic article)
An article from e-Volunteerism that recommends why and how volunteer
administration professionals must work more collaboratively with fundraising
professionals.
(Journal subscribers can log in at http://www.e-volunteerism.com/quarterly/04oct/04oct-adamshick.php)
Getting the Attention You Want from the Media (electronic article) This e-Volunteerism article spells out the principles that will assist
even the most inexperienced organization representatives, whether paid or
volunteer, to gain that critical media edge in the promotion of their programs.
(Journal subscribers can log in at http://www.e-volunteerism.com/quarterly/04jan/04jan-foster.php)
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Book Excerpt
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The
Before Budget vs. The After Math
From Secrets of
Successful Fundraising: The Best from the Non-Profit Pros,
� F. E. Robbins & Sons, 2000 (Pp. 109-111,
from the chapter by Mary Ann Blank on "Special Events")
Do
yourself a favor. Budget expenses liberally, and budget income conservatively.
Invariably, things cost more than anticipated. Likewise, sure-bet sponsors
won't come through at the last minute. You don't want to conduct an event that
merely covers costs. If you have committed to pay for catering with expenses
that equal $150 a person with a guarantee of 400 people, then, you have to be
certain you can do the following: 1) Bring in 400 people. 2) Charge enough not
only to cover the cost per person, but also to make a profit. 3) Secure
corporate support to help defray costs. Special event fund raisers are not
exercises in breaking even. How much revenue do you want or need to reap after
expenses? What is it that makes the event worthwhile after the expenditure of
salary, benefits, overhead, and the outlay of event expenses? What is your
bottom line?
Planning
Musts
As you plan, put first things first. You can have the best committee
this side of the Atlantic, but if your event needs a permit from the city and you haven't got
one, you will not have a successful event because you will not have an event at
all. Whatever time you think you will need to secure a permit, double it. Then
double it again.
If
your event has the most substantial corporate underwriting in the history of
special event fund raising, but another nonprofit reserved the only major hotel
in town, then you may not have a ballroom for your event. The devil,
unfortunately, is in the details. If you are planning an indoor event, you will
need to know the number of people expected. Obviously, you don't want a
facility that's too big or too small. Like Goldilocks, you want it just right.
If you begin your budgeting with a list of prospective corporate sponsors and
individual attendees you will be better equipped to seek out an appropriate
venue. Budget conservatively. If you are lucky enough to sell out and raise the
maximum revenue for your event, then "Congratulations!" Alert the media that
you have sold out because it will heighten the excitement around the event and
lay groundwork for a larger crowd next year.
When
setting the budget, don't forget to factor in the sometimes hidden or
unexpected costs of audiovisual equipment, as well as gratuities. With average
hotel gratuities of 18 percent, you can well imagine the impact to your budget
if this item has been overlooked. When audiovisuals are involved, make sure you
are complying with any regulations that apply. I had this recent experience
with a local chapter of my organization. An academy award-winning actress was
going to appear at a chapter fund raiser, and a professional audiovisual
company was hired to tape a 30-minute question-and-answer session between the
actress and the audience. But during the session, someone in the audience, someone
with an authoritative voice, instructed the videographer to stop taping as the
actress spoke because of Screen Actors Guild regulations. Later, the executive
director received a copy of the videotape - the vast majority of which was
blank.
Assign
key volunteers to oversee areas of vital importance to your event. Tasks like
on-site registration, media relations, and event administration are sometimes
overlooked. People who haven't preregistered for the event will show up at the
door. The media will come when you least expect them - and - when you don't
want them. You will need change for $100. Everyone will want a receipt,
especially if you forgot to bring the receipt book. Special events are never
perfect. That does not mean they are not worth doing.
One
final word gleaned from experience. Bring business cards and plenty of pens and
paper. If you work the room the way you should, you will come home with a
handful of others' cards and a full cash box.
Permission
is granted for organizations to reprint this excerpt. Reprints must provide
full acknowledgment of source, as provided:
Excerpted from Secrets of
Successful Fundraising: The Best from the Non-Profit Pros, � 2000, F.E. Robbins
& Sons. Available in the Energize, Inc. Online Bookstore at http://www.energizeinc.com/bookstore.html
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Energize, Inc. 5450 Wissahickon Ave., C-13 Philadelphia, PA 19144 [email protected] www.energizeinc.com
Energize empowers and inspires leaders of volunteers worldwide. Our specialty is creating and selecting the most relevant, innovative resources in volunteer management. We're advocates for the power of volunteers and for the recognition of the leaders who unleash it. About Us |
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