Trial and errors of fundraising

We are always learning the do's and don’ts of fundraising. I can share our experiences and how we have been able to improve the overall end results. After all, we are trying to reach a goal to raise money for some cause. Here at our St. Louis Festival, the three of us take turns picking our favorite Nonprofit 501c, has to be legitimate registered organization. Sometimes we pick the same cause two years in a row like this year we are having Six String Heroes of Jefferson Barracks back because this year was my turn and last year these guys not only came out and set up a booth with us but they interacted well with the public and stayed involved all day. That's never happened before so I felt for that reason alone they're invited back.

Good fundraising takes a lot of energy and good accurate track of records. I prefer pay pal because it aromatically generates a receipt that I can use as proof of transaction. This protects me and the organization that has to keep transparent books by law. I do take checks and cash but I cover myself through confirmation emails or messaging on FB. The old saying, cover yourself, not the original quote but you get the jest.

Now how do we advertise? Any and every way possible to reach those kinds of folks you think would respond well. Flyers are the least effective and most people find them annoying and trashy, sorry but research shows them to have an effectiveness of about 1% their value and effort. Plus a lot of cities will fine you for code violation so check your county laws before you paste these up on telephone polls. Coffee shop windows are fine with permission, not sure how effective. I do well by posting on line to associated pages and from there, friends share and I get more circulation. That method has proven very effective. My work place is massive, plus the culture is very supportive of these raffles. So how this works is I don't flood them with emails or posters. I put one up in each break room, and each payday I personally go around and sell tickets by inspiring them to win something unique and fun while supporting a great cause.

#1 key is that we actually learned by starting months in advance, we have increased out goal by 70% from previous years where promote a little before and during the event. Pre-ticket sales are the way to go!

#2 and just as important a thing i learned from the Lab techs at work who are fundraising masters is to not under sale the tickets. $1-$5 tickets will kill a fundraiser and for some reason or another, people don't respond as often to sales as with a $10 or $20 purchase. So we offer 2Xtickets for $10. or 5Xtickets $20.

Results are amazing, we when from average $250.-$350. take in to $1400.-$1700. for same items raffled. Our goal this year is to top $2000. The final result is that Six String heroes will be able to purchase more guitars for Veterans and someone with one ticket will take home a handmade guitar.

Does anyone else have their own success stories on this topic?

SD