Non-Profit Fundraising Ideas: Corporate Gifts, Campaigns And Special Events

Non-profit fundraising can be a hurdle for those organizations that are just beginning without the name and recognition that older non-profit organizations have.

Usually, a non-profit will have a basic mission, such as helping kids with educational disabilities or raising money to fight a certain form of cancer. To accomplish these missions it is necessary to have a committee with the time and effort dedicated to the task and a solid plan.

How much money is needed to maintain the facility and staff associated with the organization? What monetary goal is being aimed for?

After the basics are stabilized it is time to begin the actual non-profit fundraising. After all, that is what a non-profit organization does.


Non-Profit Fundraising Ideas

• Annual Campaigns- This is a technique employed during or around a specific time frame every year. A non-profit's annual campaign can become as renowned as the actual organization. For example, in Texas there is an annual bike ride called the MS 150 from Houston to Austin that helps people with multiple sclerosis. By having an annual campaign the same time every year, it helps donors to plan and get ready for their annual donation.
  
• Corporate and Foundation Gifts- This non-profit fundraising idea can raise large amounts of money, but there are a few things to take into consideration when employing this tactic. Ask corporations that have similar interests for funds. If the non-profit's goals go against the corporation or foundation, they will almost undoubtedly not donate. Also, some companies have deadlines for proposals and some have review boards that only meet every few years.
  
• Cause-related Marketing- This happens when an organization teams up with a product or service, advertising together, increasing both parties revenues and recognition. The downside is today's market is so up and down that the revenue cultivated is not stable enough to rely on, and at any time, products may fail and drop out of the market.
  
• Special Events- This includes balls, a-thons, sports events, etc. When hosting a special event as a new non-profit organization, be prepared to break even or worse the first couple of years. After the event is institutionalized it will become a greater success, and help with name recognition.
  
• Unrelated Business Income- This happens when a non-profit organization acquires or buys an unrelated business and uses the profit to help with the non-profit fundraising. An example would be if an organization received a business as a donation, then chose to maintain it. Income from these businesses is still taxable even though the proceeds are being used for non-profit causes.

Hoffmann, Beverly R. Some General Principles of Charitable Nonprofit Fundraising. ARCH. May 1992. 10 October 2006. www.archrespite.org/archfs6.htm

Tony Poderis. 2006. 10 October 2006. www.raise-funds.com/121603forum.html