You won’t raise much if no one knows about your fundraiser, so get smart about spreading the word. Persistence and determination are crucial. It takes a lot of repetitions to break through communication clutter, so try them all.
1. Maximize your website
Use it to share your goals, recruit volunteers, thank sponsors, feature new offerings, honor achievement, highlight donors in story, and more. Include your web address on all your materials. If you don’t have a website, start today to create one.
2. Go public
Spread the word in every way you can: tell stories that feature volunteers and recipients. Send press releases to local media and invite coverage by describing photo ops and potential audio and video interviews at your event. Make it easy for reporters to give advance notice or attend your event. Don’t forget online community calendars, which most radio, print and TV media now operate.
3. Talk it up
Announce your fundraiser at every event possible. You can spread the word, show sample products, take advance orders, make sales, and even recruit new volunteers. It’s fine as long as you give something of value back to the groups you ask to partner.
4. Keep eyes on the goal
Keep your specific goal upfront in all communications, especially in any sales communications. People like to support a good cause, so make sure they know yours.
5. Communicate constantly
Look around: post info about your group’s efforts on roadside signs, e-mail lists, phone calling tree, group and neighborhood newsletters, flyers, posters, bulletin boards, recorded hotline messages, window signs, bag stuffers, e-mail signature lines.
6. Identify sponsors
Offer decals free to supporting merchants and sell to membership level supporters. Appear in every storefront or car window to show neighborhood support.
7. Order bumper stickers
Publicize and focus on your goal with a sticker that says “Proud Supporter of _____.” Give one to every volunteer, donor and group member.
8. Post flyers everywhere
Follow postal regulations in distributing to mailboxes (rubber band to outside) and car windshields in large parking lots. Give fundraiser details in your flyer in a way that promotes sales and gives contact information. Including a coupon or gift offer from merchants will lead people to retain the flyer.
Adapted from https://www.fundraiserhelp.com/101-fundraising-tips.htm by Kimberly Reynolds