College of DuPage Fundraising Tips for Student Clubs

Fundraising TipsCOD Living Leadership Program September 26, 2013

The WHY & Challenges

• How many have donated to a cause?

• Why do you give to causes?

• How many have fundraised?

• What are some challenges of fundraising?

Overview

• Traditional Fundraising

• BEYOND Bake Sales

• WAY BEYOND Bake Sales – Online Fundraising Myth!

Assessing Needs

• Examine where funds currently go

• Identify resources to improve the club

• Establish goals

• Brainstorm projects

• What are your estimated costs/resources?

Common Fundraisers

• Vendor Sales– During fall and spring semester

• Bakes Sales– Sign up for a table anytime– Clubs can purchase supplies to make items or

members can bake and donate items for sale

• Club Grants– Detailed info available in Student Life

BEYOND Bakes Sales

• 2 Types of Strategies– Personal Appeals– Special Events / Activities

Personal Appeal

• Direct request for support from individuals, other clubs, organizations, businesses, and corporations. – Face-to-face– Letter or e-mail citing your club’s webpage– Phone

Personal Appeal

• Personal appeals are the most effective way to raise money.– Identify your prospects

• Make a list

– Ask your prospects• Select your approach• Select style of message• Suggest level of giving

– Thank donors

Special Events / Activities

• General Event Ideas– Parties/get-togethers with a variety of themes– Sell something– Store front collection– Coupon / Voucher Fundraising– Home-based Retail Organizations

Special Events / Activities

• Important Tips– A successful fundraising event takes

ADVANCED planning and TEAMWORK– Do the math. Be realistic about your

EXPENSES and your potential INCOME– Keep your fundraiser SHORT and SWEET

General Tips

• Asking for a donation is not begging• Have specifics on exactly where the donations will go • Part of the process is building relationships • Do not be afraid of the “no” • Be pleasant about taking rejection. • Regardless of the donation outcome, always say

“Thank You”.

WAY BEYOND Bake Sales

Online fundraising is here!

•Crowd-funding: the practice of funding a project or venture by raising many small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the Internet.

Student Launcher

• 6 Steps to Online Student Fundraising– Pick you weapon– Make it tangible– Build your story– Tell your story– Champion your donors– Close the feedback loop

Pick Your Weapon

Student Launcher

Make it Tangible

• When a donor gives $, they want to know their $ is going towards something.

• Being specific = Higher giving rates

vsHelp Support a Local Food Bank

500 Meals for Local Homeless

Build Your Story

• Why does your project matter?– Describe your project, highlighting WHY

• Video or Picture– Telling who you are– Telling the story– Asking for support– Thanking everyone

Tell Your Story

• Avoid the MASS BLAST

• Divide donors into – High Probability– Low Probability

• Personalize Outreach

• Follow Up

• The Final Plea

Champion Your Donors

• Do it right away!– Spread good feelings around– Current donors will be your best marketers– “Thank Yous” pave the way for the final plea– … and for coming back next year!

• Use social media

Close the Feedback Loop

• After the project is completed

• Thank donors in a special way– They will feel great!– Secures future giving!

Questions?

Stephanie Quirk

Coordinator of Student Life

quirks@cod.edu

630-942-2243