Fundraising 101
Fund Raising for Mesothelioma
There are few fundraising causes more important than an individual or family struggling to pay medical bills. Anyone who has ever had an extended hospital stay knows about the outrageous costs of medical care; however, this information is not known to everyone. When it comes to raising funds for medical bills, outreach and education are the key words. First, a family in need should figure out how to get the word out quickly. The stress of coping with an illness may render a family less than capable of running a fundraiser, so recruiting friends to assist with the cause is a good way to take the pressure off those paying the medical bills. If possible, try to get a notice in local church bulletins or newspapers to bring awareness to the financial need. Its important that the family not be embarrassed to share details about the monetary strain; many people have no idea how expensive medical bills can be.
Once the cause is made more publicly known, the family can solicit donations more easily, and A fundraiser to help with medical bills could save someone's life interested individuals can take on some of the fundraising responsibility. A church group could organize a rummage sale for profit, for instance, or a young athlete training for a marathon could collect funds to benefit the medical bill cause. Any type of fundraising activity can help offset the medical expenses; the best programs require little effort on the part of the family in need during a very sensitive time.
Awareness fundraising events that are designed to raise public consciousness for a given cause are different than other types of fundraisers. Often, there is no immediate situation that donations will impact, nor any specific person who will directly benefit from an awareness fundraiser. The goal at an awareness fundraiser is to disseminate information about a particular problem and provide access to organizations that are helping to solve it. While informational videos, photos and brochures about the cause are useful in any type of fundraiser, these materials are essential for a successful awareness fundraising event. Try to add touches to the event's program that reflect the cause: a breast cancer awareness event, for example, might feature women who have survived breast cancer or who are currently battling the disease. These representatives portray the tangible, human face of a cause. Including them in your awareness fundraiser helps your cause receive real attention and increases the potential for better fundraising in the future. Remember, the better the awareness fundraiser is organized and carried off, the more the community's consciousness will be raised and the more support you will ultimately garner for your cause.
Successful Fundraising Events
Golf Tournament / Scramble / Shoot-outor Bowling Work with a local organization you are familiar with such as the Church, Alumni College, Lodge etc., Golfers or Bowlers will eagerly rise to the challenge to raise money for the Event. Establish a one-time or annual outing. In many cases, large numbers of people are eager to pull together to do something that is positive for the community.
- Contact several golf courses or bowling alleys.
- Have volunteers create and distribute flyers and advertise in the local paper
- Charge $25 for individuals and a minumum of $100 or greater for groups
- Contact local corporations and charitable organizations and ask them to participate and promote. Also ask them if they can assist you with materials, print copies of flyers and send out a notice within their corporations newsletters, memo's or email.
- Have meetings with your core supporters and ask them to donate time and use their connections to get donated or reduced cost for remaining expenditures such as printing or advertising.
- Create a logo and have T-Shirts for the event
- Contact the local radio station and ask for them to donate airtime or reduce rates for the event.
Music Events and Cook for a Cure
Some families have been successful in raising money through charitable music festivals in local parks or beaches. In addition to ticket sales to the event, money can also be raised by having local barbeque or cooking at on the location. Part of the proceeds would go for the cause.
- Reserve a city park for the event or other venue.
- Have volunteers create and distribute flyers and advertise in the local paper.
- Charge $25 for individuals and a minumum of $100 or greater for groups.
- Contact local corporations and charitable organizations and ask them to participate and promote. Also ask them if they can assist you with materials, print copies of flyers and send out a notice within their corporations newsletters, memo's or email.
- Have meetings with your core supporters and ask them to donate time and use their connections to get donated or reduced cost for remaining expenditures such as printing or advertising.
- Create a logo and have T-Shirts for the event sell for $20.
- Contact the local radio station and ask for them to donate airtime or reduce rates for the event.
Bike, Rides, Walks then Barbaque
Another example of effective fund raising events is to have a Biking or walking event at a local high school or park. You would promote the event to both individuals with in the community corporations or charitable groups. Many churches or local charitiable groups such as the as Junior League, and NCO exist with major goal to raise money for worthy colleges. Many high school students are also looking for opportunities to serve.
- Reserve a high school football stadium or track or city park set aside for biking and walking.
- Have volunteers create and distribute flyers and advertise in the local paper.
- Charge $25 for individuals and a minumum of $100 or greater for groups.
- Contact local corporations and charitable organizations and ask them to participate and promote. Also ask them if they can assist you with materials, print copies of flyers and send out a notice within their corporations newsletters, memo's or email.
- Have meetings with your core supporters and ask them to donate time and use their connections to get donated or reduced cost for remaining expenditures such as printing or advertising.
- Create a logo and have T-Shirts for the event sell for $20.
- Contact the local radio station and ask for them to donate airtime or reduce rates for the event