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©2008 UI Student Organizations

Fundraising - Fundraising Strategy

THINK POSITIVELY!
Think big and allow your group to dream a little. Ask, “If money were not an issue, what would the group do?” USE YOUR IMAGINATION! Remember it is easier to scale down your group’s goals than scale up in mid-year.
 
ESTABLISH A FINANCIAL GOAL
If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll never know if you’ve arrived. Establish an annual budget following the development of your group’s goals. MAKE THE BUDGET FIT THE PLAN, NOT THE PLAN FIT THE BUDGET!! If the financial need is large, don’t panic: it is time to be creative yet realistic.
 
IDENTIFY RESOURCES
Successful organizations utilize multiple approaches to fundraising. Identify all potential sources of funds and develop creative ways to tap these resources.
 
CREATE A FUNDRAISING PLAN
Fundraising, like any other group project cannot happen successfully without thoughtful planning and thorough preparation. Don’t forget to balance the costs of the organization with the risks involved with fundraising. If the risks are greater than what the group wants to assume, it is time to go back and revise the organization’s goals. KEEPING UP FRONT COSTS DOWN CAN REDUCE THE RISK CONSIDERABLY! Once a plan is developed—write it down!
 
FOLLOW UNIVERSITY PROCEDURES
See Campus Policies under Leadership Resources
 
EVALUATION
The evaluation process helps the group determine the success of the event and also records information for next year’s leaders. Make sure the evaluation goes beyond the money raised or lost. It should include an analysis of the event and recommendations for future fundraising events.
 
Develop a case for support of your fundraising efforts:
Why should people support your Club or Cause?
 

Issues to address:

  • Relevance of cause or organization within a broader context.  If appropriate, brief overview of how the problem you’re addressing may reflect a more global problem (if fundraising for charity).
  • History of organization; be knowledgeable and proud of your past.
  • What is special about your organization: value of your programs and services.
  • Thoroughness of initial planning and research: do your homework before embarking on campaign, know your cause well.
  • Be sure you have the organization and resources to accomplish your objectives.
  • What's in it for the donor? Opportunity to do something heroic, make them feel good, what else?
  • Urgency, ask people to take action now, and make it easy for you to do so.