Tips for Effective Major Donor Fundraising

2008-07-22 15:14:04

( Charity )



Major Donor Fundraising Events Begin with Proper Planning

A successful fundraising activity always starts with a worthy cause. You could be raising funds for donating to charities such as your favorite environmental awareness or disease research group, or for the construction or improvement of a building. Whatever the reason for the fundraising, you need to state this clearly in your solicitation materials and to make sure that the major donors understand where the money is going.

You also need to decide the process to use for your major donor fundraising event. While asking the donors point-blank for money may be the simplest way, it could also turn some good prospects off. Instead, you need a creative strategy to attract major donors to empathize with your cause.

Bazaars and venues for selling goods are very attractive strategies. People will come to buy the goods and all sales proceeds will go to charity. There are many attractive products you can sell, and you can easily procure the merchandise at wholesale price in large volumes. Possible products are souvenirs and gift items, useful safety kits, food items, office or home appliances and just about anything. Even the bazaar entrance fees also contribute greatly to your fundraising pocketbook.

You can also organize charity concerts or parties. Your ticket prices may be slightly above market prices, but your major donors will understand that the proceeds are for worthy causes. You must of course be careful to provide quality entertainment material for concerts, and delicious or healthy food for charity dinners.

A low-cost but highly effective solicitation method is by placing an online ad or opening your own website. Your major donors will be able to send funds directly to your site. You can even get ad space under another site. For instance, donations to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals can be placed in a site that sells veterinary products.

Profile of Major Donors

The key to a successful major donor fundraising event is knowing the type of donors you can get. You should get a profile of the median incomes in each area. You also need to find out their demographics, such as ages, ethnic backgrounds, occupations, education, and religious affiliations.

For example, a county that has a predominately young population might be more interested in a rock concert as a charity event. Similarly, senior populations will most like support book fairs or garden exhibits.

Most people who are financially well-off are by nature quite generous and cooperative. You just need to find the right strategies to touch their hearts into supporting your fundraising cause, and they could be your major donors for life.


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