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Coming up with novel fundraising ideas is vital for so many charity organisations. Doing something a little bit different is an important way of keeping your fundraising fresh. Developing interesting and unique fundraising ideas brings publicity to your chosen charity and helps to keep your team of volunteers and supporters happy and motivated.

But novel fundraising ideas have to be right for your charity or non profit organisation. You need to find something with mass appeal and money making potential.

How about this one? Because fundraising event ideas don't come more fun and colourful than holding a Rainbow Festival.

The beauty of a rainbow festival is that it:

• Is easily understood and has mass appeal.
• Will stand out from the crowd of competing Summer Fetes and other fundraisers.
• Is simple to organise and set up.
• Allows you to try out some new and novel fundraising ideas.
• But still has room for all your favourite tried and tested fete ideas.

Advertising your Rainbow Festival There is no point in coming up with unique fundraising event ideas if you don't make the most of them.

The great thing about a Rainbow Festival is that all the posters, flyers and advertisments can be wonderfully colourful. Don't miss this opportunity to make your fundraising event and your organisation really stand out. A kid's poster competition is a great way to get the ball rolling and begin the promotion of your event. Radio stations and the local press too love novel fundraising ideas. They are always after something that makes a change from the usual round of worthy but "same every-time" events. So make sure that you give them all the details they need and encourage them to do a special feature.

A Rainbow Walkabout the week before in your town centre with brightly dressed people handing out flyers etc is also a great way to advertise your forthcoming event.

Well What are you going to have at your festival? Your festival can easily incorporate lots of your usual fete ideas. Simply decorate your stall in rainbow colours and come up with Rainbow names such as Pinky's refreshments, Mr Blue's Splat The Rat, Purple Pete's Welly Wanging etc

The Rainbow Arch This is one of the major ways you will fundraise at your festival. It also make a great backdrop for a stage for any entertainment or announcements such as the Raffle Draw. competitions etc.

Cut sheets of hardboard (or cardboard at smaller events) to form a nice big arch. Attach it to scaffolding or a wooden framework. You could also attach it to a suitable wall if you had one in the right place just "begging to be used"!

Visitors to your festival will now be offered the opportunity to buy (or make a donation for) a square of coloured card. On this they write a message of support and attach it to the arch. In this way the rainbow slowly begins. hopefully to be completed by the end of your event. You might like to put a few "fake" cards in appropriate positions to start the Rainbow off and make sure everyone gets the idea.

Don't forget the kids. You could also do a smaller arch for children. Kids will love to draw a little picture, write their name and then importantly pin their card on to the arch!

The Rainbow Arch Idea also works particularly well for Hospices and Hospitals where people can use the cards as little messages of remembrance for loved ones etc.

Children's Rainbow Hat Competition This one need to be advertised well in advance. A good idea is to let the local schools, libraries etc know. In this way it also serves as a bit of pre-event advertising. Simply ask kids to either make a hat on a rainbow theme. This may be done by decorating an existing hat or starting from scratch. Judges will award marks for design, ingenuity, and use of colour etc. A rainbow hat parade in front of your arch prior to judging is always going to be popular with camera wielding parents.

Rainbow Cake Competition Get the friendly rivalry going amongst the home bakers with a Rainbow Cake Competition. A Prize for the Best - Raffle the Rest.

A novel fundraising idea for helping judge this is getting people to buy a voting slip on which they write their name and phone number. They place it in a box in front of their favourite cake. The votes are counted toward the end of the day. A winner announced and a draw takes place for each cake from its voting slips. Not only have people voted for their Number One but they also stand a chance of taking it home!

Make a Rainbow Worm Kids love these little craft ideas at fundraising events. Put the craft area near the refreshment tent and Mum and Dad are happy too! A rainbow worm starts life as an old sock. Stuff it with newspaper or scrap material and tie the end. Then simply wrap strips of bright coloured material around it and tie them off. You may like to add an elastic string to the middle of the worm (so that you can bounce them along the ground). A pair of googly eyes either purchased from a craft shop or made from material and stuck on complete your worm. "Donations in the Rainbow Worm Fundraising Tin please"

Rainbow Glory Choose your own Rainbow (Knickerbocker) Glory. A clear plastic cup (the larger ones from water coolers are ideal) gets filled with rainbow layers of your choice of different flavoured ice cream, tinned and fresh fruit, coloured syrups and sauces. Top your creation off with brightly coloured sprinkles.

Rainbow Raffle Its like a normal raffle but you buy different coloured tickets. You could always do a different colour ticket raffle every half an hour etc

So there you have it add a splash of colour to your fundraising event ideas. You're guaranteed to have loads of fun and don't forget

There's Gold At The End of The Rainbow!

Neill Wilkins

For more information about holding a Rainbow Festival, including photos of key elements please visit our website at http://www.better-fundraising-ideas.com

You will also find lots of other novel fundraising ideas along with tried and tested old favourites (but often with a new twist). Perfect for church fundraising, school fundraising and all other charity and non profit organisations.

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Looking for some tips on improving your youth sports fundraising? Every youth sports league must fundraise to cover expenses and keep fees low. So, how do you raise more funds? Focus on these seven factors and you can easily double your results.

Product Selection

In youth sports fundraising, it's so important to select the right products to sell. The right selection is one that has mass appeal, an above average price point, and good profit margins.

Don't sell what's always been sold every year. Consider choosing items that meet the criteria below.

Product Price Point

Your product offering should be at an attractive price point. This means it should be neither high nor low, but rather right in the comfort zone that encourages people to open their wallets.

If you're selling a low-priced product, you are at a disadvantage because you aren't maximizing your revenue from each prospect. In this situation, try bundling a small quantity together and ask for more dollars.

For example, if candy bars are being sold for $1 each, put together variety three-packs or a family ten-pack. Get your prospect thinking bigger numbers. Many of them will step up to the bundle.

Product Profitability

It's important that your fundraising product has a high profit margin. Ideally, you'd like to make 80% or more if you can. This would be products like discount cards for two-for-one deals at fast food places.

Many standard items have a profit margin of 50% and that's OK. It just means that you'll have to pump up the volume to make the same net that you would with higher profit items.

If the product chosen is one with a lower profit range of say 40%, then it needs to either be a higher-priced item or it needs to be likely to inspire quantity orders from each prospect. For example, cookie dough is often in this range, but price points are $10 & up. Many families will buy two or three units.

Sales Script

Don't send your sellers out unprepared. Part of youth sports is teaching and helping kids with their sales skills goes a long way toward building self confidence.

Here's what to tell them:

1 - Make eye contact, smile and introduce yourself.

2 - Say one sentence about why you are raising funds.

3 - Say second sentence that asks for their help.

4 - Make sure that sentence includes the word "because".

5 - Extend sample item, catalog, or order sheet.

6 - Suggest a personal favorite item or bundle.

7 - Always ask for the order.

Prospect, Prospect, Prospect

Now that your kids know what to say, they have to have prospects for their sales pitch. You can't set sales records without having a large supply of prospective customers.

Have everyone make a list of their potential customers. Have them do it as a team exercise and make sure they write them down. It's very important to do this and to have each seller commit publicly to doing their part.

Have each seller stand up in front of their teammates and state how many prospects they have. Then have them make a commitment to raising a certain financial amount. Set minimum amounts and encourage competition by offering prizes for various achievement levels.

Location, Location, Location

Another way to boost your youth sports fundraising is by going where the prospects are. Your group can reach incredible numbers of people just by setting up fundraiser sales tables at entrances to high-traffic retail locations.

Grocery stores, home improvement stores, and mass merchandisers are all places where hundreds of prospects are available. Get permission well in advance from the store manager.

Set up a small table to display your fundraising product items. Staff your spot with two adults and two kids for each 90-minute shift.

Decorate the area with league banners and large-lettered signs explaining your offer. Your signs must inform them well in advance of reaching your display and sales table. That way, those interested in helping your sports team will be primed to stop and will be more receptive to hearing each youth's sales pitch.

Example:

"New Uniform Fundraiser"

"Tasty 3 lb. Cookie Dough - $10"

Imagine how many potential prospects there are at those locations who are completely outside your normal range of contacts. Now, go out there and sell them something!

Have Fun

Always make raising funds fun for the kids. Their emotions are subconsciously communicated to each potential prospect.

If they are smiling while cheerfully communicating your team's need and asking for help, then chances are good they'll get a favorable response.

If they're looking down and mumbling some garbled sales spiel, then chances are more people will pass on the offer. The way to get them involved is to have some competition going, have some fun activities built around the process, and have some rewards waiting for success.

For example, post a list at each team practice of the top sellers. Everybody loves to be recognized!

Do a fun activity just for those who help out by working the retail location sales table. Take the participants bowling or to a batting cage or a golf driving range. It'll bond fathers and sons and encourage increased participation.

Have a rewards party after the fundraiser wraps up. A simple pizza party or group picnic is sufficient. Just make sure that everyone gets recognized for pitching in.

Allow the kids time to run around and enjoy themselves. After all, isn't youth sports all about having fun?

Follow these seven tips and your team's fundraising effort will be a big success.

Kimberly Reynolds writes for national publications about school fundraisers, youth sports fundraising and nonprofit fundraiser events. Find more school fundraising ideas on her website, FundraiserHelp.com

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First, realize one important fact:

No one gives away money without getting something in return.

With the exception of small premiums like address stickers, donors dont get anything they can hold in their hands to show where their money went. But they do get something back or they wouldnt donate.

What they get is emotional, and sometimes its something they cant even name. A host of emotions come into play when a person writes a check to a charity. They include guilt, pride, fear, love, and gratitude to name just a few. As a writer, its your job to tap into those emotions and give your donors the satisfaction they crave.

Here are just a few of the reasons someone might choose to support your particular cause:

* To be recognized for their generosity

* To feel important

* To be associated with someone important

* To get back at the corrupt or unjust

* To support or oppose a political viewpoint

* To validate their own moral or ethical values

* To fulfill a sense of duty

* To share their love (for animals, children, nature, the elderly, etc.)

* To ease their guilt over a past transgression - or over being successful.

Most people will mention the tax benefits, and yes, giving to a registered non-profit does carry benefits. But remember there are plenty of causes to choose from. They won't choose YOUR particular cause only for that reason.

Let your donors feel like theyre part of the solution

Everyone has their own reason, but I believe that one of the strongest reasons why people give is to feel as if they're a vital part of the good work being done. They may not have the time to do hands-on help, but by offering financial aid they participate.

Thus the message for you is a writer is to make sure that you let your donors know that they make the work possible. And if there's any way for you to show them the positive results of that work, DO IT!

Show your good results

Letters about doom and gloom make people feel depressed. Avoid them. Instead write letters showing that there was a bad situation, but because of their kind support, you were able to bring about a happy ending. Paint a verbal picture so that your donors can see what youve done and what you will do in the future.

Then remind them that many more happy endings are needed and that their continued support will ensure that they happen. (And it doesn't matter if they've supported you before...write as if they have.)

Take the time to dig out a success story and show that their dollars make a difference. Don't just say you need support... show them what you will DO with their support. Be specific, even if you only touch on a small segment of your work.

The next thing I'll tell you may be difficult for you... but do it anyway.

ASK for the money.

Did you know that some people give only because they were asked? Psychology is a strange thing. You would think that if you wrote a long letter about your work and how much money it takes to carry on, people would know that they need to help. Not so if you dont ask, most wont give.

So, swallow your pride and your reluctance to beg. Remember that the money isnt for you its for the good work that youre doing. I know how difficult this is, because when it comes to asking in person I am the worlds worst fund raiser. I always feel like Im asking for myself, because I only work for causes I support wholeheartedly. Thats why I restrict my asking to the written word.

Dont beat around the bush or hint that you need their help. Come right out and say "Please send your donation of $25 (or $5 - or $100) today so that we can continue to ...." Dont let people off the hook by failing to ask.

People even need you to suggest giving amounts. You should include a reply device with a "giving string" showing a small number up to a larger number. (The numbers will depend upon your audience and your cause.) Let them know that even a small donation matters, but they need to send something.

If you have a special need at the moment, say so. Say "Please send your donation today so that we can **** by ****." Create a bit of urgency by letting them know that the money is desperately needed by a certain date in order to meet a specific need.

Lastly, include a return envelope. You don't need to add postage... in fact you shouldn't... but do include the envelope and a reply device (a device that re-states their reason for giving.) People are busy... if you don't make it easy to respond they'll lay your letter aside for later and probably never get back to it.

Remember... Americans are a generous lot. We love to give... we feel good when we give... and it's your job to help us feel good by supporting your favorite cause.

Go for it! And if you get frustrated and want help, call or write.

Marte Cliff is a Freelance Copywriter and co-founder of her local Animal Rescue. She offers discounted rates for other rescues in need of fundraising letters and newsletters. Visit her at http://www.marte-cliff.com

Marte offers a monthly ezine with tips on advertising that are useful for fund raisers and sales people alike. Subscribe by sending a blank e-mail to: martegale@getresponse.com. You'll get instant access to her ad writing tips report.

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Many charities are aware that invoking the name of a sick or suffering child will move even the most hardened listener to some level of pity. This is then bound to be followed by the loosening of the purse strings leading to a reasonable donation. However, this vulnerability to the plight of children is already being misused by several charities that are neither fake or do not use the money they collect for the intended purpose. The potential donor should identify the possible grey area of this charity solicitor so as not fall victim of pranks.

One should insist on identifying the charity that is soliciting for their help. This is necessary since many charities use names that are closely related to those of reputable organizations so as to confuse the prospective donor. Similarly, one should also insist that anyone coming to their door collecting donations on behalf of any charity properly identify themselves. This can help you make a decision as to the legitimacy of the charity involved.

Another mechanism of busting charities that are not committed to the cause that they advocate for is by considering their spending habits. Ideally any children's charity worth its salt must ensure that a considerable fraction of the funds they raise are committed to the actual task of improving the concerned children's welfare. However, a good number of these charities spend the bulk of their money on fundraising campaigns in addition to paying huge bills top telemarketing companies. This is as opposed to the meager fraction allocated for the real job of fulfilling their reasons of raising that money from donors in the first place.

The approach and outward personality that fund seekers employ in soliciting for donations will also give an indication of whether the charity involved is worthy sponsoring or not. There are plenty of incidents when charity agents come to the door to ask for your donation but the way they go around it leaves a lot to be desired. They are not only evasive when it comes to revealing their identities but also seem to be unwilling to divulge much information as regards the expenditure of the charity on whose behalf they work. To make matter even worse they decline to take no for an answer and will even become aggressive taking the slightest chance to utter abuses against you. No genuine and self respecting charities will actually stoop this low.

A good number of bogus charities are taking up issues that are bound to elicit the most sympathy from prospective donors. This is not to say that there are no well meaning organizations doing a commendable job on such concerns but it is just a pointer that they misuse the enormity of emotional effect these concerns evoke in people to get a donation which however ends up in the wrong hands. Disability, disease, missing kids, drug abuse, wish granting and sports activities are some of the most abused topics that bogus charities jump onto to ensure they make a kill where prospective donors are concerned. Before donating, just ensure the charity in question exists within the legal framework and uses the money it raises for the specified purpose.

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There is a saying in the world of nonprofit fundraising and that is:

People give to People

What this means is that if you want to motivate people to give to your charity or cause you need to put a "human face" on it. People respond more favorably when they can identify and empathize with your cause. People feel better about donating their time and money when they know that they are making a difference in the lives of others.

People also feel more compelled to give to organizations when they are asked directly by a member or supporter of your organization.

What does this have to do with online fundraising?

According to experts in the communications industry, the World Wide Web entered the phase of Web 2.0 several years ago. Web 2.0 is usually described as user-friendly and participatory. Internet users can create and share information online and form social networks utilizing social media platforms. Some well-known social media platforms are Blogger, MySpace, Facebook, Squidoo and Twitter.

This means that your organization can use the power of social networking and social media on the internet to raise money and awareness for your cause. Social networking can provide an entirely new method of building relationships and communicating with people who share your organization's values and who know other people who have the same values.

The social media platforms mentioned above are all free to use which makes them extremely popular. Many organizations and individuals are already using them in their fundraising efforts.

There are also social media platforms that have been established with the sole purpose of nonprofit giving and fundraising. Some of these websites and platforms are:

Sixdegrees.org
FirstGiving.com
YourCause.com
Yahoo for Good
NetworkForGood.org
Change.org
ammado.com
zazengo.com
Razoo.com
BringLight.com
socialvibe.com

Using social media for fundraising is not just a passing trend. On the contrary. The users of MySpace and Facebook, for example, who have grown up using the internet for social networking are the nonprofit donors of the future. This segment of the population will continue to use social networking and Web 2.0 technologies. Nonprofit organizations and charities can reach these future donors and volunteers and build personal relationships with them utilizing social media tools.

Article by Amy Passmore of DIY Fundraising.

Are you looking for ideas on how to raise money for your school, charity or nonprofit organization? Visit http://www.diyfundraising.com for more great tips and resources from an experienced fundraiser.

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Running a cookie dough fundraiser is done in pretty much the same way as any other pre-sell fundraiser. Your sellers would be armed with a product brochure and a pen and simply start showing the brochure. How much they sell for your organizations depends on at least one of two things, how much they are behind your cause and what you have in the way of incentives for sales that are made.

EVERYONE likes cookies and cookie dough. I love cookies, don't you? Both you and I would be hard pressed to think of even one person who does not like at least one flavor of cookie dough. Cookie dough when sold in a cookie dough fundraiser, seems to have more of an emotional impact on the sellers than candles or Christmas wrap! People just seem to get excited about it.

One of the first things that you should do before sending your sellers home with their cookie dough fundraiser brochures is spend a little time training them. Not everyone is a born salesman, but with proper preparation everyone can sell cookie dough.

Cookie dough will just about sell itself. All it needs is a little exposure to potential customers from your sellers.

1.) Smile

Teach your volunteers to smile when talking to customers. A smiling face always has more successful sales than one that does not smile.

2.) Eye Contact

Eye contact creates an intimacy between two people. Eye contact has been proven to be a significant factor in the persuasion process of sales. So teach your volunteers to look them in the eye when presenting their pitch.

3.) Use the word "Because"

There is a great deal of power in that word. It expresses a need, pulls on the heartstrings of your customer, and is a factor in making a sale. Teach your sales people how to make use of this word.

4.) Ask for the sale

Many times a customer will purchase if you simply use a statement designed to ask for the sale.

5.) Use a favorite item

Encourage your sales people to pick a favorite item and suggest it when selling.

Create a simple script incorporating each point above and rehearse with your volunteers until they are comfortable. Your cookie dough supplier may even have a preprinted script that you can use or adapt to your own needs.

A smile on the face, effective eye contact, a colorful brochure and the use of the word "because" to let people know about your needs, along with a simple and sincere request for the sale are key ingredients to producing cookie dough fundraiser sales. Teach these necessary components to your sales force and watch the sales rack up.

AIM Fundraising has been helping schools and non profit groups raise money with cookie dough for years. When done for the first time as a new fundraiser, most will double or more their previous sales the first time they do a cookie dough fundraiser.

Copyright (c) 2008 AIM Fundraising

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In the fundraising profession, the act of requesting funds from a donor is called the ask. When you are writing a fundraising letter and you arrive at the place where you must actually, ahem, request a donation, you have arrived at the ask. And the ask, as you probably know, is one of the toughest things to get right in fundraising.

Where in the letter should you mention money?

Early on in your letter you should let your reader know why you are writing. Somewhere above the fold, usually in the second or third paragraph, describe the reason for your letter. Here is an example:

The people of Afghanistan have already suffered 20 years of conflict and three years without rain. One and a half million are dead. Two million are disabled. And now this: the UN is predicting that the number of Afghans facing hunger and deprivation will soon reach 7.5 million.

Something has to give. Or someone has to give. Thats why Im writing to you during this crisis. Will you give? You can save lives and avert disaster by sending a donation to Doctors Without Borders right now.

How much should you ask for?

Ah, the perennial question. As fundraising letter expert Mal Warwick would say, that depends. How much money you request of each donor depends on many variables, including:

• size of the donors last gift


• size of the donors average gift


• amount that most organizations like yours ask for


• specific need that you are presenting to the donor


• size of your donor base


• donors capacity to give (assuming you know it)


• donors affiliation with your organization (is the donor a brand new supporter or one of your board of directors?)


• length of time the donor has supported you (is it one year or ten?)

As you can see, the amount of money that you request in your direct mail fundraising letters depends on too many variables for me to give you an average figure to aim for in every appeal.

How many times should you request a donation?

Ask for a gift more than once in your letter. At a minimum, bring up the topic early on, and ask again for a donation in your conclusion. Another good place to request funds is in your postscript (your P.S.). Some of your asks can be hard asks (Give today) and others can be soft asks (Your gift will make a difference.).

Whats the best way to actually ask for the gift?

Here we come to the topic of this Handbook. As you will discover, there are at least one-hundred and one ways to make your ask on paper. Some are forceful, others are subtle. Some are for capital campaigns, others for endowment campaigns and still others for year-end appeals. I recommend that you read all of the asks, putting a checkmark in the margin next to the ones that will work for your unique organization, your unique donors, your unique case for support and your unique writing style.

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About the author
Alan Sharpe publishes Direct Mail Fundraising Today, the free, weekly email newsletter that helps non-profit organizations raise funds, build relationships and retain loyal donors. Alan is the author of Breakthrough Fundraising Letters and 25 handbooks on direct mail fundraising. Alan is also a speaker and workshop leader who delivers public seminars and teleseminars on direct mail fundraising. Sign up for Alan's newsletter at http://www.RaiserSharpe.com.

2007 Alan Sharpe. You may reprint this article online and in print provided the links remain live and the content remains unaltered (including the "About the author" message).

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