Donors need the organization as much as the organization needs
them, and the money is given in exchange for work performed. Since so much of the board
business is managed via e-mail, it often doesn't matter where the board members are at any
given moment. Get to know these ministers, priests, pastors, and rabbis. Ask them to fill
out a sponsorship form and then get back to them at a designated time.
These volunteers should meet as many people as they can and learn their names.
Previously, anyone who was in the office was pressed
into service as a proofreader. Every year the same number of people working the same
amount of time raise more money. The following suggestions are for groups that either did
not get around to such planning, didn't know what to plan, or would like to augment their
plans for the six weeks or so at the end of the year.
Church Fundraiser
Sometimes
these are very wealthy people who are waiting to see how to stock market has done and
which stocks they should donate to get the best tax advantage. Sometimes events are the
only time an organization interacts face-to-face with its donors and members. You can
charge a ticket price that is affordable to a broad range of people and have a silent
auction at the event that gives people the opportunity to give more. Others will not
understand why you or anyone else would want to work in a developing country.
Since so much of the board business is managed via e-mail, it often doesn't matter
where the board members are at any given moment. Campus events tend to be the "tried
and true" car wash, yard sale, fundraising meal, etc. Ask them to fill out a
sponsorship form and then get back to them at a designated time. Even if you are not a
computer geek, you should have a really good feel for how fundraising databases work.
It means that you will relate to your donors as individual human beings rather than as
atm machines that you engage when you want money but ignore otherwise.