Fundraisers

[SimplySouthern]

Someone somewhere on this Board must know something about raising money.

I work for a non-profit in desperate need of some funds not specifically allocated for a certain use. As a general rule (at least in this county) the grants that we get are to be used for very limited and specific puposes. More and more often, problems are arising that need immediate monetary assistance in areas these grants don't cover.

At the suggestion of our grants sources, we are looking towards raising some funds ourselves.

Here's where we have a problem. Most battered women's shelters/associations do direct community contact/support in order to get donations. We do that, but this is a small rural town who views domestic violence as a family problem moreso than an illegal act of violence against another human. For that reason, residents are often unwilling to donate cash directly to us, "The Man Haters Club".

We are looking for a fundraiser idea that people could get into without having to shell out cash and get "nothing" in return.

Keep in mind this is a poor town and people can't pay $30.00 at one time to buy something.

Ideas? Suggestions?

 

[Ms_Lilith]

organize a baseball game and sell refreshments (like a bakesale, or hotdogs, or donuts, whatever)... have a dance, and charge a door fee, umm... have a coffee house.. make all kinds of coffee, have some entertainment (there's a lot of bands out there that just want a chance to play, and a lot of poets out there that jsut want a chance to read)... stuff like that.. if you have more questions, PM me.. I used to work with a youth group, and I was in charge of fundraising.

 

[DustyWolfe]

Well.. For starters... Call some businesses in your town and outside of your town to get some prizes donated. Then set up a trivia night. See if businesses will put together teams. You can sell it by the table or by the head. for example $10/person $80/table. Then gather trivia questions and turn it into a contest. One way to get prizes and even money is to do a letter writing campaign. Lots of sports teams will donate autographed penants and stuff to be used. It's really cool.

 

[Bob Peale]

Silent Auctions with donated items are always good.

Another idea would be to involve the local boy scout/girl scout troop. Maybe hold a raffle, where the winner gets yard work or something provided by the troop.

A local charity here has an "Un" Ball - you buy a ticket, but don't get dressed up and don't go anywhere.

 

[Guest]

SimplySouthern,

I worked for a nonprofit agency that did wonders with fundraising.
Here's the link to their funding page.
There might be so good info. you can use. Also, if you sent an email through the site, I'm sure someone could give you even more ideas.
Good luck!

Funding

 

[ag2507]

An interesting problem: the nature of the town precludes some of the more regular community outreach - I suspect this this is the time for the super networker. Non-profits like yours live or die by the quality of their networking and it sounds as if you need to get into high gear.

Go see every priest in your town, and the district: don't ask for money; ask for their contacts - if your lucky they'll be bright enough to either do something to help, or let you know how you can tap their pot on a case by case basis.

See your town social work director; use the same approach: who are your contacts? People do respond better if you don't directly ask for money.

The school is another place where you will get a more sympathetic hearing: they get the rest of the victims who haven't made it to your shelter yet.

Similarly with your elected officials - some will kick your ass out of their office but some wont and you might be surprized at who listens and who doesn't. For most, you have to give them a "the what's in it for them" hook so they see helping you gets them more votes (or endorsements): not by direct publicity but by upping their kudos bank with other politicians who will do them good. As long as they aren'r SEEN to be supporting you but you support their ambitions they'll be around you with their tongues hangng out.

The Police Chief may be another covert supporter: he has to deal with the shit so if you can help him get some poor woman out of danger, he'll help - but as he hasto present him self asthe community strong man he won't do it too openly - some of his/her detective will and, due to the nature of their work, they're often strangely well connected.

Finally, you may be surprised just how much state or federal loose money there is around if only you know how to ask for it: if you are not already personally aquainted with your state and federal congressman or senator YOU SHOULD BE. You are a non profit in the public service sector: your camp bed should be already outside their door. Cultivate an aide in their employ - they will have access to a lot of good information and know who the more generous public citizens are. Even if you can't get official help, you may be able to get unofficial help: often with unofficial approval.

Remember the basic axioms:

a lot of people will help if the voting public never get to hear about it

a lot of people will help if it increases their political clout

In your busines it's "look like virgin but think like a slut"

Somebody knows somebody who'll help when you need it

If you spend too much time helping your victims you'll become a victim yourself.

Don't ask for money: you won't get it - ask for more contacts and the list will often come with a little offering attached.

Once you ask for money the transaction is over.

You can never have too many friends


Good Luck

 

[ag2507]

PS

I forgot, although I don't trust them, especially in the way they handle other charities money, you should find your local United Way. They are well connected and may be able to put you on to some local sources.

Also, seek out the local chapter of the Community Health Charities. They are more trustworthy and have a number of national programs that parallel what you want to achieve. I know they have a violence in the workplace program. Both groups have good links with local employers and those employers are oftem bedeviled by employees who are victims or in jail because they can't keep their fists in their puckest or penises in their trousers.

While I think about it there are a number of national and local HR support groups who will also be sympathetic to your cause and who might let you run fundraisers in their factories/offices.

 

[SimplySouthern]

Man, you guys are great.

I've gotten some great ideas here and I appreciate them all.

This is a very small, very "Mayberry" town so I'm left to deal with a limited base to work with.

Any and all suggestions welcome either posted here or emailed to SimplySouthern@literotica.org.

Thanks again to all who responded.

 

[lavender]

 

[Rambling Rose]

The Man Hater's Club???

 

[ag2507]

Thinking about it: if that's your own personal cute little ass in your avatar I sure wouldn't be kickin' it out of my office! (See my earlier cynical contribution)

A

 

[SimplySouthern]

Re: Man Hater's Club. We as advocates at the battered women's shelter are "affectionately" known as the man hater's club because we protect the rights of the women we serve sometimes to the dismay of them men who feel they have the "right" to beat their wives/spouses.

I've also been told that the shelter than we run is nothing more than a whorehouse and that we pay our bills by pimping out the residents. Now the catch to all of this is that we (the administration of the shelter) are all LESBIANS. Now, it seems to me that if we were really lesbians we would stop pimping them and keep them for our own pleasure!

Anyway, my ass in all its glory won't be showing in that light to anyone, office or no!