Every parent has experienced the dread that comes with their child announcing a school or sports team fund raiser. Parents find themselves helping their child hawk containers of high-caloric cookie dough…or skimpy rolls of wrapping paper…or calendars they’ll never use…or magazine subscriptions to Bee Keeper Gazette. How about suggesting the school or team try a few innovative fund raising ideas? The following ideas are creative ways to raise money for your specific program.

Teachers Lip Sync Extravaganza: Teachers are often hesitant to perform in traditional talent shows. Performing in a lip sync act requires only exaggerated, outlandish stage presence, not talent. Charge admission for families to come watch teachers and staff as they display their talents playing air guitars and prancing around in swimsuits, carrying surfboards and lip syncing to songs such as California Girls.

Many cities have businesses pay to decorate life size cows or pigs, which are then displayed throughout the community. Why settle for decorating a traditional animal statue? Encourage businesses to pay to be corporate sponsors for the chance to get a toilet destined for the dump. Each business receives a clean, yet used toilet,(available from most recycling centers) which they decorate. On a designated day, collect the artistically decorated toilets and set up makeshift bowling lanes. Community members pay to view the toilets and pay extra to roll a bowling ball down the lane and smash the toilets. Just think. Your organization gets money when businesses buy a toilet and then additional money as people pay to destroy the toilet with a bowling ball!

300 million children around the world are without a pair of shoes. Teach your children how to help others while also raising money for your organization. Soles4Souls, a non-profit agency, has distribute over 3 million pairs of shoes around the world. Students simply take orders for clogs or flip flops, which Soles4Souls distributes free of charge to people in need. For every $5.00 flip flops or $10.00 clogs students sell, your organization receives 40% of the proceeds. More important, your student’s efforts help put a pair of shoes on the feet of someone in an impoverished or disaster-stricken area of the world. Contact www.soles4souls.org or 615-391-5723

Americans are spending billions of dollars on jeweled collars and personalized raincoats for their pets. Sponsor a pet fashion show where pet owners pay you to participate. For added interest get the mayor of your community or a local celebrity to “model” along with their pet. Any pet store would be glad for the publicity that comes with paying to be a “corporate sponsor” and promote their products. Planning is simple: Pet stores pay to be a sponsor, people pay to walk the runway with their adorable dog, cat, ferret, miniature horse, etc, and people pay admission to attend the event. All you need is a gym with a runway and a few pooper scoopers on hand!

Question about fund raising

Fundraising can simply be defined as an activity that is focused on generating a certain amount of cash to help a good cause. There are two types commonly used by various organizations namely profit or non-profit.

Those that do this for profit simply want to generate more income. An example could be an alcohol company offering its products in fair. The firm may or may not organize it but representatives are there to endorse and promote the brand.

The second is known as non-profit. There are countless numbers of non-profit organizations around the world helping those starving in Africa to those who are helping to raise funds to continue AIDS research.

Fund raising events can be done in a small or large scale. The former alumni of a school can host a luncheon where checks will be collected later on to help in the construction efforts of a new building in campus.

Something bigger could be a concert wherein some of the best singers in the country and in the world come together to have a great show and then give the proceeds to the chosen charity.

Getting people to attend the event is one way of creating awareness of the problem. It can get people to volunteer instead of waiting for someone else to do it. This means new volunteers that are willing to continue the work in future projects.

There are a lot of things that have to be done to make the fund raising event work. This all begins with the planning until this takes place before anyone can assess whether it was a success.

Those who want to help can sign up as a volunteer and do whatever it takes to make it work.

Now there are some organizations that have merely used this to scam people of some money. The harsh reality is that this does happen so the person should do a background check before going any further to avoid becoming a victim or someone involved in this illegal activity.

But all in all, the legitimate ones are really doing a good job since the government is unable to do it alone.

Is helping a fund raising activity worth it? The answer to this question is definitely yes. This is because for once, the individual is not doing it for personal gain but rather sacrificing time and effort so that those who need it most have a fighting chance at life.

There are many ways that ordinary people can help those who less fortunate in the world. The individual can sign up as a volunteer and help the cause or give a small amount as a donation.

A lot of volunteers are tasked with marketing. This means creating awareness that such a project exists. This can be achieved by knocking on the door of each house or better by organizing an event fundraiser.

Some examples of these are a marathon, a concert or an exhibit. In order for this event to be successful, the volunteer has to write letters to various companies to be able to get sponsors. The person will then have to follow up with someone from that office regarding the sponsorship.

Aside from that, the other details that have to be ready before the start of the event is the layout and that all the equipment should already be in place. The volunteer will not be doing everything because everyone will be divided into teams so work can be done faster.

One of those most challenging things in any event fundraiser is manpower. There must always be people in place to assist the participants. A marathon will involve assigned some volunteers as marshals with the help of the police. An exhibit or concert will require volunteers to act as ushers.

An event will not be successful without being able to get as many participants to join. This can be done by putting up flyers in the street and bulletin boards as well as putting up ads in television or on the radio.

This must always state what the event is all about, when this will happen and where. This will allow would be participants to mark it on one’s calendar and reserve that date for the special event.

Another great way to get people into the event fundraiser will be to invite celebrities to come and join it. A concert can have some of the best-known names in the industry, an exhibit can feature artwork of some famous painters or sculptors while a marathon can have athletes.

The success of the event fundraiser will only be determined by how much cash was raised during the fair, which can only be counted when everyone leaves.

Non-profit or non-governmental organizations are very experienced in these activities making it always a pleasure to learn and work for one. In fact, someone who has never done it before can organize and even pull it off just like getting a rabbit out of a hat.

Question about fund raising

In the next few minutes, you are going to learn the steps to implement a fund raising idea that can raise significant cash within a very short time frame. As opposed to simply asking donors to dig deeper into their pockets, this fund raising idea provides tax and increased income benefits to the donor. If you are involved in any facet of nonprofit fund raising, you can use this technique, for example, to buy or pay off the church organ, add another kennel at the local animal shelter or add a room on to the private school.

Three Steps to Funding Your Project

1. Select an insurance agent

This fund raising idea involves annuities; annuities can only be placed by a licensed insurance agent. I would suggest selecting an insurance agent from outside the organization. Look for agents with the CLU, ChFC or CFP professional designations.

My experience is that you are asking for trouble if you try to use an insurance agent who is on your board or active in your cause. Chances are there are several insurance agents to choose from and you don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Resist the temptation to spread the business among several agents, as you want to keep things simple.

Having been in the insurance business for 35 years, here is my rationale: If any agent within the organization expects to earn the commissions resulting from this fund raising idea, they should have brought the concept to the organization long ago.

2. Communicate the Fund Raising Idea

Prospects for this fund raising idea are senior members of your organization support group. They should be age 70 or older. The older the donor is, the greater their benefit.

Here is a simple outline of the fund raising technique.

a. A person donates cash or a highly appreciated asset.

b. If an asset is donated, your organization sells the property and pays no tax on the sale.

c. A portion of the sale proceeds purchases a single premium immediate annuity on the life of the donor.

d. Your organization keeps the difference and can immediately fund your need.

e. The donor receives an income tax deduction, which can be spread over 6 years if necessary.

f. The donor also receives a guaranteed life income. The rate of return that the income represents is normally much greater than they have been receiving.

g. The net result is that the donor receives an income tax deduction and increased income benefits. Your nonprofit receives immediate cash.

The agent can assist with presenting this fund raising idea to your constituents. That is his or her forte. Many types of media can be used to communicate the idea; for example, a mailing, a post on your web site, a seminar, or an audio CD outlining the benefits.

3. Set Up the Simple Administrative Procedure

Mechanically, this is how the entire fund raising idea flows:

a. Your organization uses the cash or the proceeds from the donated asset to buy a single premium immediate annuity on the donor. A simple letter is usually required, signed by the donor, to establish insurable interest. A one-page agreement, which complies with the laws of your state, outlines each party’s obligations.

b. Each month your organization receives a check from the insurance company for each donor.

c. Your organization could endorse these checks over to each donor or you could issues separate checks. The process is very simple. It is just a couple of new line items in your accounting system.

Summary

You may recognize this fund raising idea as a charitable gift annuity. Many national nonprofits have gift annuity programs. However, most small nonprofits do not. This is the power and simplicity of this fund raising idea. It is simple, straightforward and your organization receives funds immediately upon the completion of each transaction.

National gift annuity programs do not fund your program immediately. Furthermore, national programs do not realize any gain until the person dies and then the gain goes into their coffers, not your organization’s.

If you are involved in a charter school, a church or any nonprofit, here’s how the numbers could work out.

Let’s assume there are 500 supporters and this fund raising idea applies to just 2%, or ten individuals. Further, assume that the range of donations is between $10,000 and $50,000, with the average being $25,000.

This would bring in $250,000. The cost of the immediate annuities will vary by age, but let’s assume this cost is $125,000. That puts $125,000 in your organization’s pocket.

This fund raising idea appeals to the average person. The donor benefits financially in two ways: a tax deduction and a guaranteed life income. Moreover, they get to see the end result of their gift. Your organization receives a large influx of cash quickly to fund a pressing need. This fund raising idea is a win-win for everyone.

Question about fund raising