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Are you tired of the same old fundraising whoopla?

Posted: admin on Sep 06 | Finance

As I hopped on my cyber surfboard one evening I sailed across an article about an organization with a desire to consolidate the product sale fundraising industry and its products into an organized system of like product numbers companies categorized in well-defined areas of proficiency. This may sound like fundraising utopia, but it really is not. In fact, this thought process is exactly what would hurt the future of fundraising. How do I know this profound prediction would come true? Simple, let’s start with the facts.

Every month tens of thousands of Internet savvy fundraisers surf the net using searches like “Fund Raising Idea.” The reason these fundraisers are looking for new Fundraising ideas is because the old one didn’t work or it no longer works as well as it did in the past. Bundling fundraisers into a robotic process of conformity would only reinforce a fundraising industry without imagination.

Imagination is just what your next fundraiser needs. It is time to dig down deep into your world of new ideas and apply some new thoughts to your next fundraiser. Not succumb to the drone like programs of the past. Having like product numbers between fundraising companies is not going to help the desired outcome of your next fundraiser. That just stifles incentive to come up with new innovative fundraising ideas. Coming up with the next best idea to reach more supporters is what will have the best influence on your next fundraiser. As a matter of fact the product you sell many times does not even matter. If you don’t believe me take a poll of those who purchased products during your last fundraiser. Ask them two simple questions: Did you need these products? And: Did you really want the fundraising products that you purchased? I think we all know the answers. So, how do we use our imaginations to reach beyond our sphere of influence and really conduct a remarkable fundraiser?

Step one:

Leave your comfort zone. The age-old adage, if its not broken, don’t fix it, really doesn’t apply anymore. It may be applicable if we were talking about a child’s toy or a lawn mower, but we are dealing with something much more important than that. We are dealing with fundraising to provide for the lives and future of our children. If we wait until a fundraiser is broken (such as every other school is doing the exact same fundraiser) then the damage is already done. Lower sales and less participation has already affected your bottom line. Therefore, step outside of the box and take your next fundraiser to farthest edges of WOW you can find. Think of anything and everything you haven’t done in the past to promote your fundraiser.

Step two:

Play Follow the Leader. Doing something remarkable, such as raising $30,000 with a two-week brochure sale, is much easier when others who feel your same excitement surround you. Fundraising coordinators often find it is much easier to find excited, enthusiastic volunteers when you have a remarkable exciting idea and energy level to share. This group will be a huge help when you begin to promote your group’s fundraiser and they will follow you when given the right reason.

Step three:

Avoid “Path of Least Resistance Fundraising.” So many times we make a decision because it was the easiest path to take. Please remember if it were easy everyone would be doing it. According to industry experts, the average product sale fundraiser generates less than $3000 for the fundraising group. I then ask, “How do schools, with the same student enrollment as you, generate $30,000?” They earn it with imaginative unique ideas to carry their fundraiser the extra mile. Now it’s your turn!

The last step is the easiest.

Enjoy the journey. Your children or students are only this age once. Make it fun for them and yourselves. Life is full of difficult challenges don’t make your next fundraiser one of them. Step out to the edge, use your imagination and get creative. Isn’t it what we teach our children?

About the Author

Dan Salazar is the Founder and CEO of Reusable Planet, a company that helps organizations increase revenue through creative fundraising and simutaneously protects our planet by recycling at the same time. Dan is known for working with large corporations and helping them to grow and raise capital by using original ideas never thought possible.

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