Fundraising

Some people are born fundraisers. 500+ friends on Facebook, a HUGE extended family, and a workplace that will donate thousands of dollars to their cause. Lucky for some, huh? Yet for the majority of us, fundraising does not come quite so easily. Most Inspired Adventurers have never done any fundraising before, have no idea what to do, where to start or who to ask for help.

Rest assured, Inspired Adventures are here to help! When you register, one of the team at Inspired Adventures will assist you with developing a fundraising plan that identifies what networks and strengths you have to help you reach your target.

After talking to the team, you will start to realise fundraising can be a lot easier than initially expected. Just because you’re new in town, you are currently unemployed, or you simply lost contact with your family and friends, doesn’t mean fundraising has to be difficult. It is, in fact, a great way for you to make new contacts and at the same time raise money for a cause close to your heart!

Once you believe you have exhausted all of your current networks, there are some other fundraising options you may wish to consider;

Hold a raffle

 A raffle is a great way to seek support from people outside your circles.

• Establish what you want to raffle and how much you are going to sell the tickets for. Goods donated by local businesses are great! You may choose to sell lots of tickets for a low price, or fewer tickets for a higher price.
• Now that you have worked out the prize and the price it’s time to find somewhere that has a  high traffic area, such as your local supermarket, foyer at work, or a sporting event. Ask the owner of the company if you can set up a stall outside their business or at the event to sell your raffle tickets. Ask your charity if they can send you some merchandise to decorate your stall. Make sure you take along your laptop or IPAD so that people can jump on and donate to your online page too.
• Give yourself at least 3-4 months to sell all or as many tickets as possible.
• Let people know the date, time and location that you are planning to draw the raffle. if you have organised an event, draw it there, otherwise make sure you draw it in a public area or have someone film it and put it on YouTube.

 NB: Always check with local state laws before commencing a raffle

Have a market stall or sell goods on Gumtree or E-Bay

Most people’s garages or spare rooms are filled with unwanted goods – a fundraisers dream!

• Why not put an ad in the local paper asking people to help you by donating their unwanted goods, making sure you ask all your friends and family to do a big clean out as well.
• Once you have a substantial amount to sell, do some research on local markets in your area and choose one suited to the items you have to sell.
• Contact your charity and ask them to post you some merchandise to display at your stall.
• Having a market stall is also another good opportunity to have your laptop set up for online donations.
• If there aren’t any markets in your area, create an account on Ebay or Gumtree and sell your unwanted goods on there.
• Remember one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

Approach local Rotary or Lions Clubs

Rotary and Lions clubs are always looking to support individuals who are raising money for good causes.

• Write an email detailing who you are, what your challenge is and who you are raising money for – Inspired Adventures can help you with this. Send it to at least 10-20 different clubs, making sure you follow up with a phone call.
• When you hear back from the clubs they will invite you to their next meeting to give a 10-15 minute power point presentation. This is a great opportunity for you to be the voice of your charity and create awareness for the work that they do.

BBQs

BBQs are a big part of the Australian culture and way of life. The smell of sizzling onions and sausages on a grill is a temptation only few can resist.

• Having a successful fundraising BBQ is all about location, location, location!
• You need to have the BBQ set up in a high traffic area. There are a few companies you can contact such as Bunnings and Woolworths, which allow you to have fundraising BBQs on their premises.
• Another option is having BBQs at sporting games or events. Most of the time you will need to be affiliated in some way to the club but if you’re not it’s a great time to sign up and get fit for your trip!

The above listed fundraising options are only a few that you may wish to consider to expand your fundraising network. Remember the team at Inspired Adventures are the fundraising experts and are only ever a phone call away to help. Still stuck for inspiration? Give the team a call on 1300 905 188.

By Kristen Briggs, Fundraising Coordinator at Inspired Adventures

Read more Charity Fundraising Tips or visit the Inspired Adventures Calendar and find a Fundraising Trek or Adventure perfect for you.

Movie nights – The good, the bad and the ugly

By Allie Duval, Inspired Adventures participant

Movie nights are popular fundraisers for Inspired Adventurers. Big or small, movie nights can be really effective fundraisers and can be easier to prepare for than other events, given the venue and entertainment is provided for you.

So, how does it work? Usually, the cinema will charge a per person price for tickets (generally $10-$15), and you then charge a premium when selling them on; this is where you make the money. Goodie bags filled with donations from local sponsors can provide an incentive for attendance and allows you to increase the ticket price. Some cinemas also offer a food package.

In 2008, Inspired Adventures participant Allie Duval held a hugely successful movie night, raising over $17,000 for charity. Allie learnt a lot from the experience and has shared her movie night journey with us this month – the good, the bad and the ugly of it!

Allie, tell us about your movie night…

One of our huge fundraising ideas was to hold a fundraiser for the opening of Sex and the City.

We started with booking out one movie session at Hoyts and then it got so big that we booked out another session totaling over 700 tickets. It was an amazing night with all the glitz and glamour that goes with Sex and the City!

What allowed your movie night to be such a success?

We were really fortunate that Sex and the City was such a bit hit at the box office and we brought on some really big sponsors to donate to the goodie bags that we also organised. What worked was working with two other people (my husband and his best friend). I was able to allocate them tasks of things to do too! It also helped to clearly identify when we were doing what and plan ahead as much as we could. The personal effects of fundraising for a charity are huge – giving back has an awesome feeling attached to it.

In hindsight, what would you do differently?

There were a lot of costs involved in setting up the event – everything from designing and printing 700 tickets to staging props for the auction on the night. Projected costs were also blown out of proportion – planning ahead for this is helpful and ultimately placing the focus on fundraising as much money as possible. Consuming three bedrooms, a living room and dining area with 700 goodie bags for my movie night was a logistical nightmare, as was having to hire utes to transport them to the venue!

What words of wisdom would you pass on to fellow Inspired Adventurers?

I would recommend anyone doing similar to really think about what is a necessity. Will it make your event better? Can you find a local business to donate in return for the exposure instead of having to pay for it? I suggest people try to involve the local media and then mention the sponsors or release a flyer on the night listing all the sponsors with an amazing spiel on them.

And another reminder… keep a backup of all work. I found this out the hard way – two weeks before the event my computer crashed and I went crazy trying to retrieve all my ticketing information!

For help planning your next movie night, call the Inspired Adventures team on 1300 905 188.

Read more Charity Fundraising Tips or visit the Inspired Adventures Calendar and find a Fundraising Trek or Adventure perfect for you.

Ricardo raises the bar and makes fundraising funny

The team at Inspired Adventures have seen many unique and creative ways to fundraise. Recently we have been reminded of one presentation made by Ricardo who ran the New York Marathon for the Heart Foundation in 2007.

Have a look at Ricardo’s presentation for ideas on how to make your presentation funny and engaging to potential donors/sponsors.

• Ricardo’s presentation

Stay tuned as we post more exciting and creative fundraising ideas…

• Do you have a fundraising idea you would like to share on our blog? Email us at info@inspiredadventures.com.au
• Did Ricardo’s presentation inspire you to run a marathon? Make November 2012 the month you run the New York Marathon for great charities like ChildFund Australia and World Vision. 

Sponsor me now...

Read more Charity Fundraising Tips or visit the Inspired Adventures Calendar and find a Fundraising Trek or Adventure perfect for you.

An effective online fundraising page has an integral role in a successful fundraising strategy. It is easy to set-up, requires very little effort to maintain, and can be lots of fun.

Online fundraising is all about being creative, and there are certainly some secrets to its success. Here, we share Inspired Adventures top 10 tips to get the most out of your online fundraising.  Every little bit counts!

1. Be inspirational

Remember why you have taken on this challenge. What does this journey mean to you? Inspiration inspires! Include a compelling photo and introduction. Let people know what you’re doing and why, where their money will go, and how much you would like them to donate.

2. Think big

Be ambitious when setting your fundraising target – you never know how generous your supporters will be. The sky’s the limit!

3. Put your money where your mouth is

Why not make the first donation yourself? Your supporters will be impressed by your commitment to the cause.  Ensure the first donation is a big one to set a precedent for further donations.

4. The importance of a tangible outcome

Let people know the difference they can make. What will a $30 donation provide? $50? $100? $1000? Perhaps their donation can fund a doctor for an hour, or give a family food for a week. A tangible outcome not only encourages people to donate more, but also demonstrates their donation will make a difference.

5. Strategic planning

Consider friends, family and colleagues who are likely to be your most generous supporters and ask them for donations first. Other donors are likely to feel inspired and match initial donations. Make sure you get your site up and running early to maximise your fundraising potential.

6. Expect the unexpected

Don’t be disheartened if your nearest and dearest do not donate as much as you would like or do not donate to you at all! You may find your most generous donations come from people you do not know so well. For various reasons, some people will not support you, and it is important to be prepared for this.

7. Be a social network guru

The world of social media opens up many avenues for promoting your cause. Regularly update Facebook and any other sites you use with your fundraising website address (URL) and training progress so your supporters can follow your journey. Have you ever considered writing a blog? Here’s your moment. Remember to change your email signature to include a link to your online fundraising page.

8. Update your page regularly

Think of your online page as the ‘hub’ of your fundraising. While it may appear to be a passive tool, it has the potential to be the central point of your fundraising journey. Change your photo, spice it up, and edit your personal message often.

9. Ask again. And again. And again.

It’s not nagging, it’s reminding! Some people need a bit of encouragement to dig into their wallets. A friendly reminder every few weeks will not go astray. Why not ask your supporters to donate again when you are about to depart? Keep it interesting to keep them interested. Include facts about the charity, and your destination.

10. Say thanks!

Of all our tips, thanking your supporters is the most important. All donations, however large or small are valuable and will contribute to your success. Shout about your supporters over social media, consider a handwritten letter or card for your bigger donors, and why not hold up a thank you banner and have a photo taken while on your adventure!

 Did you know…?

• Supporters are likely to make bigger donations online than offline
• $65 is the new $50! Research shows donors will not be deterred from donating when asked for $65 instead of $50. The same applies for $110 / $100.
• Finding your online fundraising page URL too long? Check out www.tinyurl.com for options.

The dawn of a new year is a perfect time for planning your fundraising for the year ahead. This month we thought we’d take a look at the 2012 calendar for dates throughout the year that would be ideal for planning your next event around. We also share some key tips and advice on how to put on the perfect event – stress free!

If you have already begun your Inspired journey, now is a great time to revisit your fundraising plan, reflecting on your success to date and looking to your next milestone. If you are still pondering the perfect adventure and you’re exploring options for fundraising, an event is a fantastic tool to consider, particularly if you intend on fundraising your travel costs. Not only is an event a successful way to bring in funds for your adventure, but it is also a great way to give positive exposure to the charity.

We recommend holding one key event over the course of your fundraising rather than lots of little events. It is a better way to engage your supporters and is much more effort-efficient!  As with any fundraising venture, the recipe to success for any event is keeping costs down, profits up and getting as many people along as possible. Make sure you pre-sell your tickets and give people who can’t attend an alternative way to support your cause. Keep it simple, avoid taking risks and delegate, delegate, delegate.

Holding an event does not need to be stressful. The key is thorough planning and sharing out the work. Most importantly, make sure you have fun!

Take a look at the calendar below for some significant dates to consider over the next 12 months. Perhaps you could host an Olympics party, plan a mid-winter Christmas function or welcome the first day on spring in style with a summer-themed beach bash. The options are endless.

Inspired Adventures are the fundraising experts, and we look forward to helping you plan your next event. Give us a call to talk through your ideas and we’ll help you make it an event to remember.

January

1 Jan                           New Years Day
23 Jan                         Chinese New Year
26 Jan                         Australia Day

February
4 Feb                          World Cancer Day
14Feb                         Valentine’s Day
29 Feb                        Leap day

March
1 Mar                          First day of Autumn
8 Mar                          International Women’s Day
17 Mar                        St Patrick’s Day
22 Mar                        World Water Day
31 Mar                        World Earth Hour

April
1 Apr                          April Fools Day
6 – 9 Apr                    Easter weekend
25 Apr                        ANZAC day

May
8 May                         Mothers Day

June
1 June                        First day of Winter
5 June                        Queens Diamond Jubilee 2012
11 June                      Queen’s Birthday

July
Mid-July                     Mid-winter Christmas party
27 Jul-12 Aug            2012 London Olympics

August

September
1 Sep                          First day of Spring
4 Sep                          Father’s Day

October
1 Oct                           Queen’s Birthday (WA, QLD)
31 Oct                         Halloween

November
6 Nov                          Melbourne Cup Day
24 Nov                        Thanksgiving

December
1 Dec                          First day of Summer
25 Dec                        Christmas

Read more Charity Fundraising Tips or visit the Inspired Adventures Calendar and find a Fundraising Trek or Adventure perfect for you.