Fundraising Ideas

Your first step is to create a proposal for your event. Explain the purpose of the event and how it applies to many groups in your community or on campus. Describe how this event will appeal to specific constituencies in your community.

Create a budget that has itemized costs including, but not limited to speakers, entertainers, travel, lodging, food, sound and staging equipment, other AV costs, secuity, rental space, materials, copy costs, program book costs, staffing, volunteer needs (t-shirts, food, water, etc.) Document what your fundraising committee has done and how much was raised. Estimate costs as liberally as possible, as most groups receive only a portion of the requested funds. Show that you have reseached the most economical accommodations and items.

Your proposal will help you enlist like-minded groups and organizations to co-sponsor your event. Call and ask for an appointment. Dress for success! This is a business meeting with your funders and they can supply you with volunteers and staff time as well as cash. Your co-sponsors are valuable allies and will help form your fundraising team.

Pay Equity Bake Sale - Men pay $1.00 and women pay 0.73 for baked goods. Have information on equal pay available. Car wash - always fun in the summe months! Garage sales and yard sales are a great way to get rid of unused items and raise some cash. When you need to raise serious money you will need to hold several small events to raise funds. Auctions on e-bay, silent auctions, pancake suppers, spagetti dinners, contests and raffles are good events to raise funds.Don't forget about private funding by individuals (the proposal is a great tool!)

Ask for advise! When you ask someone for their advise, few turn you down. Create a committee that will adise you on fundraising efforts. Through their advisor role they are more willing to approach their own sources and contacts.

Make a list of the people your group should approach to serve as advisors. NUMBER ONE should be the development office. Offer to work in close cooperation with them on every aspect of the event and your group will benefit. Campus allies include: Women's Studies, Women's Center, LGBT Center, Women's Studies and LGBT alumnae, Social Work, Nursing, Psychology, Sociology, Pre-Law, Pre-Med, Political Science, and any "Women in" groups that are on campus. Don't forget your allies in the surrounding community: local Dems, LGBT and progressive bookstores, holistic healing centers and women owned businesses.