•Problems ? Naturally, you want to
be optimistic about your fundraiser, but you do need to consider what problems could
arise. If there are risks that your group cannot manage, then you may want to choose another
idea. If your fundraising method will get you into debt before you make any profit, you may want to
reconsider. If your idea involves food, you will want to make sure that there is no risk of food
poisoning that could result in a law suit.
•Requirements ? You may need a
special license to host a lottery or bingo night. Even a movie night is ruled by copyright
laws. Consult with a lawyer to make sure that you have all the legal requirements of a
fundraising idea taken care of.
•Costs? Add up costs of supplies,
services, rentals, and space. If the costs are too high, you may need to start with simpler and
less expensive fundraising ideas and gradually work your way up.
•Time? Consider not just the time of the
event, but also all the preparatory work for the fundraising, all the paperwork, all the organization,
and the work that needs to be done after an event (including cleanup).
•Hire
help? Some projects are more complicated and may need to
have a professional touch to appeal to people. This can be very expensive, although for groups that
can raise a lot of money; this expense can be worth it.
•Trouble? If your non-profit supports a
controversial subject (gay rights, for example) you need to decide whether a particular fundraising
effort will get you in trouble. Even non-profit groups with very neutral causes that are widely
supported can get into trouble if a volunteer is injured or of someone gets hurt through a fundraising
venture. Consider all the risks of every fundraising idea you consider.
•Competition ? Most non-profits are trying
to make the world a better place, and it is not great to consider them "competition," but competition
they are. If the Girl Guides are selling their cookies and you are considering a fundraising idea
that involves selling cookies, the competition may ensure that you get little money for your
efforts. Choose an idea that no one else is currently trying and one that will not overlap too much
with another group's own fundraising efforts.
•Variety, quality,
and something new? This is the secret combination
that will ensure higher fundraising earnings because it will ensure that customers or donors will want to
contribute. Those who buy your products in fundraising or offer money through donations want a
quality product or service. They want something new and varied - if many groups in your area are
selling chocolates, donors are less likely to give to your campaign because they are bored by the
idea. Try to offer your donors a choice and offer them something that is not run-of-the-mill and
they will reward you with donations.
•Long term idea or
one-shot deal? Not every idea needs to raise money in the
long run, but if all your fundraising ideas seem to offer short-term money in exchange for a lot of work,
you need to consider how you are going to get the money to run your group on a day-to-day
basis.
•Corporate
help? Ideas that at least have a chance of getting support
form local businesses are more likely to bring in more money.
•How
much? You may not want to think about dollars and cents,
but you need to. You need to know how much money you need to raise before you start your
efforts. That way, you you can switch to a new idea before using up precious time and
resources on an unsuitable fundraiser that will not provide the financial results that your
group needs.
•Who? You need to decide whether your
fundraising ideas will appeal to a wide enough range of people to be money-making ventures. If you
live in a bedroom community full of seniors, a skate-board-a-thon may simply not draw the support of as
many people as a fair or a retro dance.
•Timing? If your fundraising ideas are
holiday-related, you need to start planning well ahead of the holiday. Everyone gets so busy around
holiday time that they are less likely to be able to volunteer. By starting early, people can plan around
your event.
•Responses ? Anticipating the possible
reactions your event will have (both the positive and negative reactions) will make it easier for you to
handle the various reactions that fundraising efforts generally elicit.
•Essentials ? Make a large list of
everything that needs to be done in order to make the fundraising a success. Are you able to do
these things? If not, you may need to choose a more suitable idea or find ways to accomplish all the
tasks on your list.
