Subject: New ways of fundraising

bernieeccles wrote on November 28. 2008

My experience of raising money for the local Citizen's Advice Bureau includes:

1. Selling unwanted items donated to the CAB on e-bay (we have an internet expert who also has a PayPal account) either as a total gift from the donor, or where CAB charges a commission (eg 30% of the price) for larger items

2. Cardboard collecting boxes for small change kept by individuals and handed in periodically

3. A concert given by the local school band and charged at £6 per ticket.

4. An auction of promises where individuals promise services which are bid for by those attending. This included: gardening, DIY, return trips to airports, meals cooked and prepared in your own home

amysampleward wrote on January 12. 2009

Hi Bernie-

Are you looking to discuss new ways of fundraising for the CAB? If you can post a question, I'm sure folks have ideas they can share. Thanks!

rachelbeer wrote on January 23. 2009

I've just spotted this initiative, called 'Donor Gifting', in a fundraising forum on LinkedIn, which is an interesting angle.

These sorts of online affinity partnerships seem to be increasingly common, but my sense is that they are not that widely adopted by consumers (at the moment at least) and, therefore, I am not sure whether they have the potential to deliver much in terms of income. That could all change though, as Internet useage, and online shopping, becomes increasingly more widespread.

I am also somewhat sceptical about them, if I'm honest, as my sense is that they might not create the most engaged or loyal relationship between the supporter and the cause and that it's not altruism as such, but rather more self-interested. This is not a problem in itself, and does not mean that charities shouldn't look at other ways of generating income than recruiting donors in the traditional sense, whose ongoing support they then cultivate, but I doubt anyone supporting in this way would become a committed supporter of the charity as a result - which is just something to be aware of up front.

However, another way of looking at initiatives like this is as another income stream, alongside your more traditional supporter relationship marketing and/ or something to flag to existing donors to help them generate more revenue for the charity, with some financial benefit also to them.

kookieomi wrote on May 16. 2009

Has anyone had luck with the frozen cookie dough fundraising. It's rather simple selling pre-orders. It seems the quality of products vary so much.

jamesmcveigh wrote on June 17. 2009

hi people. im doing the 60mile bike ride from manchester to blackpool for queenscourt hospice in Southport next month. using a great new scheme called go for gold! its a seriously easy way to raise funds for your cause! if you want any info ring -
go for gold - 01704885155

they will have a website but it wont be up and running until sometime next week.

hope this helps!!!!!

steve_s wrote on June 24. 2009

Hi, I also fundraise for a local CAB. We currently use simple methods, such as the fundraising search engine everyclick.com , as well as collection tins/boxes in reception, etc.

Being in London we also take part in an annual sponsored walk, organised by the London Legal Support Trust.

We try to take advantage of as many local existing events as possible. Having stands at local fairs or fetes are a good idea. Purely as this means we get the greatest outcome, while also not having to organise and fund things ourselves.

I am are also looking to see if we can acquire sponsorship for small ongoing expenses. Finding a local company to cover the cost of pens, etc.

Recycling mobile phones and printer cartridges/toners.

Many of these may only yield small incomes, but can still be worthwile. They do have the added bonus of getting people to think of CAB as a charity, which is one of our biggest barriers.