| These days it can be tough to raise money and even | | | | to get names and addresses so you can properly |
| tougher when you don't have much to spend on | | | | thank guests and get them on your list. |
| fundraising activities. Here are ten ways to raise | | | | 5. Hold a "Non Event" (Example: "No Ball at All"). |
| money when you have little or none to spend. | | | | Create a fictitious event and send out invitations |
| 1. Invite donors and prospects for tours of your | | | | asking people to buy "tickets" to this event that |
| facility. Sometimes seeing your work firsthand will | | | | won't take place. It's a great theme for a mailing and |
| inspire donors to give. Offer a tour on a regular | | | | usually works well. |
| monthly schedule and let staff, Board and volunteers | | | | 6. Put a return envelope in your newsletter. Many |
| know that they can invite friends to come. Be sure | | | | donors will respond to great stories in your |
| to get names and addresses of visitors so you can | | | | newsletter. So make it easy for them by including an |
| send them a thank you note after their tour and also | | | | envelope to send their gift in. |
| so you can add them to your mailing list. | | | | 7. Ask donors to give monthly. This is a great way to |
| 2. Hold a "Change for Change" event. Ask local civic | | | | increase a donor's annual giving and their loyalty to |
| groups, church groups, or businesses to collect spare | | | | your organization at the same time. Make it easy for |
| change for you on a certain day (every Sunday in | | | | donors to participate by giving them 12 envelopes to |
| May or Friday May 5th, etc.). Provide them with | | | | send their monthly gifts in. |
| brochures, newsletters or fact sheets so folks can | | | | 8. Offer a Holiday Gift Card. Let your donors know |
| educate themselves about your organization. | | | | that they can make a gift to your organization in |
| 3. Do an "Easy Thousand." Get 10 Board members, | | | | someone's honor for the Holidays and that you'll send |
| volunteers, or donors to each ask 10 people for $10 | | | | the recipient a card telling them about the gift and |
| each. You can change this to $15,625 by changing the | | | | who it was from. This can also work for Mother's |
| numbers to 25 people asking 25 people for $25 each. | | | | Day, Father's Day, or other holidays. |
| This can also give you a bunch of new donors! | | | | 9. Ask for donations to your organization in honor of |
| 4. Hold a house party. Ask Board members, | | | | your birthday. Most of us have more than we need |
| volunteers, and donors to have a dinner in their home | | | | anyway, so ask friends and family to make a gift in |
| and invite their friends. Have a staff person do a | | | | honor of your special day. |
| short presentation on your organization followed by a | | | | 10. Ask your donors to include you in their will. You'll |
| testimonial from the evening's host. Then, give the | | | | probably have to wait a while for a gift, but when it |
| guests the chance to make a gift. Again, make sure | | | | comes, it will be worth the wait! |