Fundraising Best Practices

Fundraising Best Practices

Stephanie SimpsonPhilanthropy Committee Chairman

PCC@alphagammadelta.org

Stephannie Sack BaileyIncoming International Vice President – Panhellenic Affairs

IVPPA@alphagammadelta.org

•Identify the why, how and what of your fundraiser

•Differentiate between types of nonprofit organizations

•Identify the main ways of fundraising

•Review marketing and logistic strategies

•Complete an evaluation form that walks you through the process of planning for a fundraiser

By the end of our time together, you will be able to:

Types of Fundraising

Types of Fundraising

501 ( c ) 3

• Tax-deductible

• Charity

• Non-profit

• Ex: Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation

501 ( c ) ?

• Not for profit, but may not be a charity

• Not tax-deductible

• Ex: Alpha Gamma Delta

*Why this matters: not all non-profit organizations are tax exempt or tax-deductible. Make sure that you know your organization’s status prior to fundraising!

Various Ways to Fundraise

Endowment

• Large gifts with fewer donors

• Give stability to an organization or institution

• Use the interest to fund operations or scholarships

Capital Campaign

• Bricks and mortar

• Often facility related

• Endowments

• Remodeling or building a facility

Annual Fund

• Smaller gifts with more donors

• Typically for annual programs

• Stimulate regular giving

• Direct mail

• Phone-a-thons

Project or Event

• One time or periodic event

• Annual Event

• Gala or some in person event

• Smaller individual gifts

• Our focus of today

Why are you fundraising?

Simon Sinek: Start with the Why

Simon Sinek: Start with the WhyStart with What

• What: We need money

• How: By asking people over the phone, email and in person

• Why: So we can meet our goal and help x

Start with Why

• Why: Kids need safe and fun places to grow and develop

• How: Build a playground for the kids in our neighborhood

• What: By fundraising and asking those to support our cause

Which one is more compelling?

What is your “why”?

FundraisingThings to Consider

Fundraising – Things to Consider

Marketing

People

Event Logistics

Follow UpSponsorship

Planning for Your Fundraiser – Event Logistics

Prior to the Event

• What is the budget and what do the gifts support?

• What are the potential barriers?

• Does our location have any parameters like capacity or parking issues?

• What equipment/permit needs do we have?

• How will donations be accepted?

• What is our emergency/safety plan?

Day of Plans

• What are your talking points?

• What is the attire?

• Will there be photography?

• Who is in charge of which areas of the event?

Planning for Your Fundraiser - People

Volunteers

• How many people will you need?

• What are their job responsibilities?

• What is the time commitment?

• How will we recruit these volunteers?

Fundraisers (people not the event)

• What are your talking points?

• What is a tangible way of explaining gifts support?• $5 pays for five meals

• $200 allows one student to attend camp

• $1000 funds a scholarship

• Make it real for them

• What is the cause they are fundraising for?• Fundraisers need to be confident in what they are

selling

• Is the fundraising a competition?

• How will you ask for money? • Face-to-face, crowdfunding, email, over the phone?

Planning for Your Fundraiser - Marketing

What to Include: Basics

• Who is the beneficiary of the fundraiser?

• What is the goal or mission?

• How can people help? (volunteer, donate, advertise, etc.)

• When is the event being held?

• Social Media Plan

What to Include: More In Depth

• Date, time, location, attire expectations

• Transparency and credibility

• Host individuals/organization

• Where the funds will be donated

• How donations can be made (cash, check, cc, online, in person, etc.)

• If donations are tax deductible

• How charity aligns with host’s mission, goals, etc.

Planning for Your Fundraiser – Sponsorship

What to Prepare In Advance

• Drafted letters to go out to companies

• Levels of giving

• Action plan of who to contact

How to Recognize Them at the Event

• Logo on fliers, shirts, screens

Planning for Your Fundraiser – Follow Up

After Event Follow Up

• Send out Thank You notes!

• Reconcile any payments so the final total can be calculated

Debrief and Plan for Next Year

• Ideally right after the event

• Share what went well

• Talk about what can be done better next time

• Celebrate your successful event!

Case Study Preparation in Action

Case Study ChoicesPlan of Action

• Choose your organization

• Agree on the type of fundraiser

• Go through the planning process

• Thoroughly fill out best fundraising planning worksheet

Choose one of these groups to create a fundraiser for and then come up to the front to receive more information on your chosen group to support.

• Red, Buff and Green Alumnae Club of Alpha Gamma Delta

• Friends of the Squirrel Town Library

• EHB Elementary- Home and School Association

• Relay for Life Event on Campus

• Medical support for friend or family

Case Study Share Out

TakeawaysToday we’ve covered:

• Types of Fundraisers

• How to “Start with the Why”

• Things to Consider

• Marketing

• Volunteer Needs

• Promoting of the Event

• Sponsorship

• Follow Up After the Event

Questions?

Stephannie Sack Bailey, Incoming International Vice President – Panhellenic Affairs

IVPPA@alphagammadelta.org

Stephanie Simpson, Philanthropy Committee Chairman

PCC@alphagammadelta.org