BS: Fund Raiser Experiences

Subject: BS: Fund Raiser Experiences
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Oct 05 - 04:28 PM

Hi Everybody!

    I am part of a local group looking to raise some money for charity. I have been investigating different organizations to use for fundraisers. Do any of you have any experience with fundraising companies? Any good experiences? Any recommendations?

Thanks!


Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Fund Raiser Experiences
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 05 Oct 05 - 05:01 PM

Hi Michelle. I am doing a second Firewalk on November 5th in North Devon. I did one in Lincoln not so long ago...the Lincoln one raised over £7,000 for the St Barnabas Hospice in just a few hours. 56 people took part. If you want to pursue this one just copy and paste the following address into your address bar and visit it:- http://www.blazefirewalking.com/
After two hours of motivational excercises and talks...those taking part walk 20 feet across a bed of red hot coals!! No-one gets hurt and the motivational talk is good for those who are a little lacking in confidence....it equips people for a better, more positive outlook.
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: BS: Fund Raiser Experiences
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Oct 05 - 07:44 PM

Direct Mail in our county, BIG BUCKS, fair overhead, Grizzard.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Fund Raiser Experiences
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Oct 05 - 07:47 PM

Dysfunctional Charities Test
by Grizzard Staff

Often, we are asked this question from charities: "what must we do to grow our organization?" Our response is usually something like this: Growth is a natural part of life, and we see evidence of this all around us. The best analogy of this is when you drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, you go through Death Valley and even in Death Valley plant life exist. So the proper question to ask--if growth is a natural part of life-- is: "what are we doing that is hindering growth?" Through our own experiences and literally thousands of conversations with nonprofits, we've compiled these 13 questions and call it our "Dysfunctional Charities Test".

The more questions you answer with a "yes", the more likely your organization is either not growing or actually heading in the opposite direction.

Starting with the top, do your board members merely dictate fundraising and not personally participate?

Are your board members comprised of passionate people but lack comprehensive business experience to make good decisions and provide sound counsel?

Is there a lack of a strategic plan in place that provides organizational direction for the next 3 to 5 years?

Is there a lack of integration within your marketing, communication, public relations and fundraising departments and activities?

There is a lack of cohesion with fundraising and your organization's program outreach that provides a healthy check and balance system?

Are there power struggles over credit issues around donations and donors?

Is there a tolerance for territorialism, which leads to a lack of cooperation, participation and professionalism?

Is there a lack of collateral materials (brochures and other presentation resources) that articulate and build a strong case for raising money for your organization's program outreach?

Is your organization's database and donor file inadequate to personalize, segment, track and measure your fundraising effectiveness?

Does staff feel like they're not provided professional development and put into an organizational box from which they can never grow or move beyond?

Is there a lack of employee empowerment? Do a small group of people within the organization make every decision?

Is there a lack of facilitation, either through a corporate Intranet, staff meetings or open exchanges through email and conversation, of thoughts, ideas and best practices within your organization?

Finally, are there any of the following behaviors going on within your organization: illegal, unethical, unhealthy level of nepotism, conflict of interest, favoritism or immorality?

http://nonprofit.grizzard.com/articles.cfm?mode=single&article_id=89