Most people want to make a positive difference in the world but many people are not sure how. Even if we have limited time, we all have some time, and another thing we all have is influence. Everyone has a certain amount of influence over their friends and family. The reason for this is trust. Your friends trust you, otherwise they probably wouldn't want to be your friend! People will gladly support a cause if they see that it is important to someone they trust.
The seven steps to running your own fund-raiser are as follows:
Step 1: Decide the specific cause
It is important to choose an organization that you are passionate about. Your family and friends will need to see how important the issue is to you.
Once you know the cause, contact the organization directly. Ask for the director of development or anyone in the development department and tell them about your plans. They will be a wealth of information, and will be overjoyed to hear that you've picked their charity. Ask for brochures, newsletters, or any other materials that might be helpful. They may even have ideas to help you get started. Some charities even have a kit prepared for individuals who want to run their own fund raising event. Also, make sure to learn as much about the charity as you can. People will want to know more about it, and will expect you to have some answers.
The final part of this step is to establish a specific goal. If you're raising monetary donations, pick an amount that is tied to something particular. The charity can help you out with this. The goal doesn't necessarily need to be publicized but in most cases, it's probably a good idea. A monetary goal that is specifically tied to something tangible is best. For example, some charities allow you to sponsor a child. You could set a goal to raise enough money to sponsor ten children for a full year. That way, when the fund-raiser is successful, you and your friends will know exactly what your efforts have accomplished.
Step 2: Decide on the method
There are many methods that you can use to raise funds and the right one for you will depend on your time availability, experience, and the local circumstances. Usually, your best bet will be to use a fund-raising technique already shown to be successful like a walk-a-thon, a community yard sale, or a department wide collection drive at your office. But don't be afraid to either come up with your own idea, or to modify an existing method with your own creative ideas. Do not underestimate the importance of creativity!
Some businesses conduct something called "undie-Monday" where employees bring in new underwear on the first Monday of the month, to support local homeless shelters. This simple creative name increases the effectiveness of the campaign, and makes it a little more fun for participants. A nominal incentive often helps encourage participation. Some companies will allow employees who donate to a given cause wear jeans to work that day.
Ultimately, you need to make sure that you have the time and resources needed to carry out whichever fund-raising method you choose. So make sure you pick one suitable to your skills and availability.
Step 3: Discuss the idea informally
This is an important step but easy to overlook. Before you make any major announcements, bring the idea up in casual conversation with some of your closest friends or family to gauge response. Those closest to you will be the most likely to volunteer to get involved early in the process. You will be much more successful if you are able to recruit a friend or two to help you and take ownership of the project. Your friends may also give you helpful ideas as you talk about it or bring up hurdles that you may not have considered. Don't neglect this step.
4. Make a formal announcement
Now that you've decided the charity, contacted the development department, established a fund-raising goal, decided on a method, and talked it over with some of your closest friends, it's time to make the official announcement. Simply use common sense; don't let the announcement get drowned out by competition. For example, if you're going to make the announcement by email at work, don't send it on Monday morning or Friday afternoon!
Use multiple channels; different people respond to different communication methods. In addition to your work email, consider printing up some flyers to place in mailboxes and or post in locations with high visibility. Those who are most likely to be interested deserve a personal follow-up after a few days. Personal contacts are best in person, ok by phone, and a personal email is an acceptable last resort. You will need key volunteers and key participants. Use the personal contact follow up to make sure you get them.
Step 5: Conduct the fund-raiser
Just do it. Everyone wants to do good work; the secret to actually doing good work is the doing part. Enough said.
Step 6: Present the money to the charity
It is preferable to have some sort of photograph of you presenting the money to the charity if possible. Consider taking one or two of the key volunteers who helped in the event with you. Ask for a thank you letter that you can share with your group in step 7.
7. Follow up with participants
Your fund-raiser was a smashing success and everyone involved had a wonderful time. Best of all, the charity now has enough funds to move ahead with that new project they've been needing. You're exhausted from all the hard work you put in, but your work is not quite done yet. Within a week of the completion of the fund-raiser, be sure to contact everyone who was involved with a thank you. A mass email may even suffice if you had a lot of participants but especially make sure to give your key volunteers a heart-felt personal thank you.
This step is important. Many of these fund-raisers go on to become annual events and those who helped you in year one are your most likely candidates for year two. Often, your key volunteers will be so moved by the experience that they'll volunteer for an even larger workload next year.
At the end of the day, in addition to ensuring that the mechanics of your fund-raiser were successful, you want to practice good, people-oriented fund-raising policies. It is the people who made this success possible and you need to make sure they know that their contributions were appreciated.
