Profit Quests' Fundraising News Weekly
Your source of Free fundraising tips, ideas, resources and
products for small to medium sized nonprofit organizations,
clubs, associations, groups and ministries.
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This weeks highlights
* Technique Spotlight -- Setting Your Volunteers On Fire
* Fundraising Idea -- Get Your Fundraising Calendars Ready
* Free Tip -- Collect Empty Ink Cartridges And Rake In The
Funds
* Software Highlight -- Free Online Fundraising Software
* Resource Guide -- Volunteers
* Book Review -- Gala Events
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Technique Spotlight -- Let The Sparks Fly --
Setting
Your Volunteers On Fire
One of the few oversights that organizations create is the
ability to simply Thank their volunteers. You must
consistently
thank your volunteers through e-mail, personal visits, by
telephone and by special correspondence.
When you do, you'll find that they are more willing to
participate further and become an advocate for your group. See more about volunteers here
A great way to involve your volunteers more is to create a
special newsletter (or e-mail) that is privy only to them.
Your newsletter should discuss behind-the-scenes actions taken
and touching stories of those that you've helped.
Include the struggles that you've overcome (without becoming
negative) and the odd twists of fate that have transpired.
This will make them feel like they are part of the "inner
circle" and they will put forth greater efforts when called
upon for help and advice. It will make the sparks fly as you
get your volunteers on fire.
Fundraising Idea -- Get Your Fundraising Calendars
Ready Now
I've talked several calendar services that can produce
custom calendars of all types for fundraisers, as well as,
some printers. You supply the photos or picture graphics
and key dates and they will do the rest.
For a low cost, you can put these calendars in front of all
your contributors and with many civic associations that you
wish to promote your group. This keeps them focused on you
throughout the year.
My favorite reason for promoting calendars is extra profits.
Try placing a "tear off" coupon at the bottom of each month
that highlights a particular emphasis.
Donors can then tear off this coupon and send it back with a
donation. This works great with donors that need to be
reminded regularly. Try it out.
Free Tip -- Collect Empty Ink Cartridges And Rake
In The Funds
Get this great free fundraiser from INKBANK, the leading
recycler of printer ink cartridges. Most companies and
individuals simply throw ink jet cartridges away.
However, these ink cartridges are still valuable from a
recycling point. And they're very profitable too.
Your organization simply simply collects ink cartridges from
businesses, individuals and corporations and then send them
in to Inkbank for a considerable profit.
See more about Inkbank here and start raising money today.
Sometimes you can't believe something is free. But with
eTapestry.com it is.
ETapestry will give you a free software database to help you
track your first 500 contributors. After that, they charge
a nominal fee based on a sliding scale that allows you to
pay as you grow.
You simply can't beat the features. You also have complete
access to your records from any computer. This allows
several members of your fundraising team or board to work
in a collaborative effort from any computer.
ETapestry can also set up a donations page through your
website that will accept credit cards.
Check out eTapestry.com here
Are you looking for resources and books about volunteering?
We've added some important valuable information on Profit
Quests at
VolunteerResources
You'll find out some really great techniques for training,
administering, and inspiring your volunteers. Volunteers
after all are the heartbeat of any organization.
GALA, The Special Events Planner for Professionals and
Volunteers by Patti Coons mentions "If you are responsible
for your organizations next big event -- whether it's a
black tie dinner, a political barbecue, a charity walkathon, a
celebrity speech, a school auction, a capital campaign, or a
business lunch to benefit your favorite cause -- everything
you need to know and do is in this easy-to-use book" as the
inside cover indicates.
This book has many useful planning guides as well as tips on
starting your event from scratch. This book is really geared
to volunteers, but will inspire and guide even professional
fundraisers. This book is a must read to add spice to your
special event.
