Non-Firearm Related, brainstorming session

[izzy]

My GF donates to this every month, worth a look.

https://www.donorschoose.org/

[BigBear]

what percentage of the money that needs to be raised will actually come from the students?

We (I) am hoping that the kids could raise around 8-900 themselves through mowing lawns, whatever. I just want to have a backup in case they don't reach the $1200. They DO have a whole friggin' year to plan as the trip is not till MAY. They live at home, no bills, etc... but, it is a poor community so my expectations may be too high.

The booster club for my sons football team hosted a casino night and silent auction as a fund raiser. It raised almost $30,000 and it was the most fun I have ever had at a fund raising event. It did take a lot to organize though.

Casino night... intersting!! More details!??!?!?!

Carnivals are usually pretty good for the kids, maybe do an adult date night dance thing to get the parents in. Barbecues are usually good fundraisers as well.

We do a school carnival for homecoming, so I doubt that would fly, but good suggestion.

Small community-how about a charity pot luck supper ?

Pot luck/spaghetti dinner concert is already one of the fundraisers.

Donations to sell on Ebay? If you can't get parents to help sell on Ebay, try an Ebay valet or other service.

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/cps/5596095562.html

Interesting, I'll research.

Hit up some banks for sponsorship?

Yeah, how do I go about doing this. Everytime I ask corps for help with Appleseed, I get told to pound sand.

Go Fund Me?

I've been looking into this, not sure how to keep it all legal and stuff since it's for school.... more research needed on my end.

My GF donates to this every month, worth a look.

https://www.donorschoose.org/

Yes, I've looked at that one, but it's very controlled. Can only ask for certain amounts and things through a catalouge. I'd have to figure out how to be specific, like say 10 disney tickets or something... again, I just need to do more reseach, THANk YOU!!!

[Tim K]

I've got more experience fundraising for non-profits than I'd like. We've been involved with an NP for 10 years now, and the organization (it's quite small) has raised on average about $75,000 a year.

Your goal is huge. Just to be perfectly honest, it's a lot of money to try to get out of what I assume is a small target audience. The problem with multiple small fundraisers is that you're typically asking from the same people over and over again. Giving fatigue is a big problem.

In my experience, if you want people to give big dollars (hundreds, not singles) you have to inspire them for your cause. How you do that is something only you can answer, but you could consider playing some sort of concert and inviting everyone you know. Make it free, and make it clear it's a fundraiser. During or after the music, you give your story, just like you did here. Get people excited about the opportunity to build into the lives of their kids and other's kids. Large attendance is key. Get the kids involved in inviting people. Get their parents involved. You need to expand your circle of acquaintances as large as you can. Set an attendance goal of a MINIMUM of 200.

Make it a big deal. Figure out how you're going to sign people up, maybe you advertise a limited number of spaces and take reservations. Maybe the venue is small so seats are limited. Send our invitations by mail to the people on your list and ask them to RSVP. Follow up.

Make the event something people would really enjoy. Get some other acts if you can and put on a family friendly concert with a spirit of excellence.

Finally, I'd give it a theme. Music from the movies or something. Call it the first annual, setting yourself up to do it every year. Maybe next years theme is a Prince tribute. You get the idea. You'll want to take more than one group, right? Provide a superb product and you'll get return customers (or givers, in your case).

Bake sales and car washes are a pain in the ass, a ton of work, and low yield. Our experience is that it's more effective to do one big bash and go for the big bucks.