Guidelines for Mission-Based Fundraising Sales & Events

Let’s look at some of the common methods of fundraising with an eye to using each one as a tool for growth (expanding your mission).

Product Sales – There are thousands of options available, a quick internet search will show you candy, gift wrap, magazines, cookie dough and many more. Many of the products are provided by companies that make the sale easy to manage. They are generally low priced items that are relatively easy to sell. Keep these in mind:

1. Products that are in line with your mission. If you are an environmental group you might sell canvas shopping bags. A school might sell books.

2. Ways to sell that might help you reach your goals. If you are a school and want to increase enrollment then having children neatly dressed at a public venue, where the families of potential students will be, will serve two purposes.

3. Opportunities to use (and showcase) members’ talents. Can your group create something to sell that is in line with your mission?

Paid Events – These can range from a 5K race to a spaghetti dinner to a formal ball. Funds are generally generated through ticket sales and ad sales for the program or journal. They are often annual events.

1. Use the Mission Meter to see if it is worth the effort! Events can be very time consuming. Every event should make money and help you reach your goals.

2. Be sure to form a good event team. Identify your target audience and include their representatives on the team. The more inclusive you are in the planning stage, the better your chances of success.

3. Because the event is appropriate to your mission (and accomplishing more than one goal), you’ll want lots of publicity – be sure it deserves it and you get it.

Cultivation/Ask Event – inviting people to a free event or series of events and asking for a contribution or pledge. This may follow a model like Benevon (formerly Raising More Money).

1. An objective of this approach is to stay mission focused.

2. Cultivation is very important; invited guests should be familiar with your organization.

3. The event itself should demonstrate your mission in every way possible even including the music, food, decorations, and of course, the speakers and video.