Lisa R. Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I am involved with a non profit that would like to raise money. Does anyone here have any experience in this? Info that may or may not be relevant: -We live in a large city, so there would be plenty of people to draw from if we offered entertainment. -We would need to rent a facility. There are all sizes where we are, but I don't know how much this would cost. -Non profit is a Christian organization. -Budget available for initial costs associated with fundraiser. In other words, the organization isn't afraid to spend money to make money. -Plenty of volunteers available to help. -Event could be six months to one year away. Concert? Silent auction? Other entertainment? I tried to see if comedian Tim Hawkins was available this year, and he wasn't. However, his booking people gave me the names of three other comedians they recommend. I may see if he is available for a 2014 event. Ideas? How much money could be raised? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnificent_baby Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datgh Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I was on a board of a nonprofit that had a goal of raising 100,000 dollars. Many of us didn't think we had a chance of ever doing it but we bit the bullet and hired a professional fund raiser. It was the best money we ever spent and we surpassed our goal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa R. Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 I was on a board of a nonprofit that had a goal of raising 100,000 dollars. Many of us didn't think we had a chance of ever doing it but we bit the bullet and hired a professional fund raiser. It was the best money we ever spent and we surpassed our goal. This sounds like a great idea! How do you go about finding a reputable fundraiser? I've googled online for now and am having a hard time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 So the kids didn't have to sell chocolate bars in the neighborhood? :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne in CA Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I work in a large hotel and do fundraising events for a living. If you have specific questions you can PM me and I will do my best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I am involved with a non profit that would like to raise money. Does anyone here have any experience in this? Info that may or may not be relevant: -We live in a large city, so there would be plenty of people to draw from if we offered entertainment. -We would need to rent a facility. There are all sizes where we are, but I don't know how much this would cost. -Non profit is a Christian organization. -Budget available for initial costs associated with fundraiser. In other words, the organization isn't afraid to spend money to make money. -Plenty of volunteers available to help. -Event could be six months to one year away. Concert? Silent auction? Other entertainment? I tried to see if comedian Tim Hawkins was available this year, and he wasn't. However, his booking people gave me the names of three other comedians they recommend. I may see if he is available for a 2014 event. Ideas? How much money could be raised? I'm not a fundraiser fan. I'd rather just donate money directly to people who need it. Now if it is a fundraiser for someone whose kid needs an operation or something, that's different. So I guess the cause would be really, really important to me, much more so than the entertainment. Tim Hawkins is great, by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Peregrine Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 We have done concerts/silent auctions that brought in 30,000. Golf tournaments are also pretty lucrative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tex-mex Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Start small. A golf tournament is good and gets your charity name out there for future businesses to donate. Then once you have a base of supporters and name recognition... do a dinner & silent auction. Book the celebrity 12-18 months in advance if you can. Back in the day, when we had $$ and our child attended an elite private school for celebrities in Calabasas/Westlake Village, CA... we would easily raise 150K with a catered banquet, celebrity host, & silent auction. That being said, when I was on the volunteer committee for this annual event in May... we began in Sept/Oct for donations (TOP quality donations like Spa gift certificates, vacation packages to a resort, golf getaway package, ski trip tickets, 2 night stay in a local hotel, VIP tickets, etc.). Many parents used their business connections to get some really incredible donations. But it took a lot of time. Each room mom from the Pre-K to 6th grades were in charge of their class silent auction's gift basket. (12 "themed" gift baskets in all -- and also on the auction tables we placed the vacation or luxury items with a 8x11 sign describing the vacation/spa trip and retail value.) You will need to advertise the event -- which nowadays with social media is easy. One year, we had a Lexus at the silent auction and tickets for that were $100 each. The Lexus was deeply discounted as a donation by one of the school's parents who owned the dealership and it was a HIT. We profited a lot that year along with the regular silent gift baskets. The school ended up with a brand new playground/blacktop/landscaping with the profits from the Lexus auction alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 The catholic school dd will go to next year does a grand raffle and a silent auction dinner. Most of the money goes towards tuition help for those like us that can't afford $400 a month. Last year the grand prize was $25,000 and there was 5 $1,000 prizes as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 A second (third?) a golf tournament. I am associated with a small non-profit. Our annual golf tournament raises around $8,000. There is a silent auction during the luncheon following the golf that is included in that total. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa R. Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 So the kids didn't have to sell chocolate bars in the neighborhood? :) This is *exactly* what I don't want to do!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Our church organizes a Turkey Trot 5K Fun every year at Thanksgiving. We’ve done it for 7 years now. The first year we raised about 10K, the past few years it’s been between 30-40K. We could probably raise more but the run is through a neighborhood and we have hit the maximum number of runners the police will allow. The money we raise goes to three local charities. It’s a lot of work but doable. We have a small church (less than 100 people) and the main organizing is done by people at our church only. We use community volunteers to get the work done (it takes somewhere around 100-150 volunteers on the day of the event). It’s a fun event and has become a fixture in the neighborhood as well as a fundraiser. I can give you more info if you are interested and want to PM me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 A couple of non-profits around here do 5k walks. They seem to bring in significant dollars--sponsors, vendors, etc. As for venues....pick up the phone and start asking how much and what's included. You'll learn a bunch very quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicAnn Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Guidestar.org has some articles on fundraising that may be helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Read this book: Fundraising for Social Change by Kim Klein. Until this homeschooling mom gig ate the rest of my life I was a fundraising professional for nonprofits and have raised millions for various causes. I have taught fundraising at national conferences. All orgs looking to raise money should read this book cover to cover. The author founded an organization called Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training. Their website is a valuable resource. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 You will raise more money if it's for charity and not for your on going church expenses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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