You don’t Have To Spend A Lot of Money  

To Make A Lot of Money

Free Methods of You Can Use

To Attract Money To Your Organization

All You Need Is A Little Creativity

10 suggestions that can help you to increase your visibility  

in the community and raise necessary funds 

There are many ways of raising money for your non-profit organization without having to invest large amounts of money.  The only thing you need to invest is your time and creativity.  Here are 10 suggestions to help you get started.

SUGGESTION #1

Starting internally within your organization, speak with your Board of Directors, volunteers, and any other people who are involved.   Ask them for a list of people they feel would be interested in learning about your organization.   Then you can ask those people to make more connections and eventually you will have built a database of strong relationships. You don’t necessarily have to ask them for money.   Just creating a small newsletter or informative piece of literature that might spark the interest in what you do. You never know, it may lead to small sustainable donations.

SUGGESTION #2 

Press Releases—educating the public on what you do in your organization through the local press is a very powerful tool.   If you have an event coming up, send out a press release to let people know the great stuff you are doing.   Or send out a news release on a success story that happened within your organization.   People love to read happy human-interest stories.   It gives them a break from the constant doom and gloom of the news and may encourage them to donate to your organization when you have a fundraising campaign.

SUGGESTION #3 

There are many service organizations that donate money or help raise money for non-profit organizations.   A few are:

                          Rotary International

                          Lions Club

                          Kiwanis International

                          Knights of Columbus

You can give a small presentation at one of their meetings and teach them everything you do in your organization.   This will give you more exposure into the community as well as possibly receive a donation from them for your good cause…and the only thing it will cost you is some time.

SUGGESTION #4 

Many people love flea markets.   A bargain is a bargain!   Organize a large community flea market, whether it be at possibly one of the service organizations I mentioned above or have it on your own grounds. You can charge per table and invite as many people as you can that will fit in your surroundings.   This accomplishes two things:

Ø      It gives you a little money

Ø      It exposes your facility to the community

And don’t forget to have your own table there so you can make additional money over the table take.

SUGGESTION #5 

Many shopping malls hold fairs for different reasons.   At one of my local malls they held a health fair.   They also held a women’s expo and invited different organizations to display what they do to help the cause.   Why not organize a Fair dedicated to all the non-profits in your county?   It will give all of you great exposure that may lead to donations and who knows…you may get some great volunteers to help you at your facility.   Work with the mall directors to create something spectacular.

SUGGESTION #6 

Boy Scout and Girl Scout organizations are always looking for places for their scouts to complete their Eagle Badge and their Gold and Silver Awards.   If you have a need in your organization that is too expensive for you to handle on your own, make a connection with the scouting associations.   These projects will fulfill the requirements that the scouts have to complete their awards.   Another win-win situation.

SUGGESTION # 7 

             Touch base with school systems’ special education departments.    You may be able to create a teaching course for students with special needs.   You can create a class that teaches management skills, interpersonal skills, creative skills, or whatever.   The list is endless and the school will appreciate you taking the time to care for their students.     Again, excellent exposure for your organization into the community.

SUGGESTION #8 

Don’t be afraid to market your organization to well established local businesses.   Banks are a great place to start. Many times, they have internal fundraising for a non-profit organization…such as a Holiday drive within their employee structure.   It could be their way to give back to the community for what they have been able to acquire. 

SUGGESTION #9 

If you are an animal rescue i.e. Humane Society, ASPCA, etc. you can create a “Dog Walking For Health.”   Target overweight, inactive people of any age to walk your dogs for you!   Map out a walking course with the mileage and calories counted.   Create record sheets for the participants to keep track of their progress.   Maybe have a prize for the participant who walks the most and loses the most weight. 

Referring back to suggestion #2—Publicity—Press Releases announcing your weight control program and one for the winner at the end of each month.   Also, work with local doctors offices for them to send you maybe some of their patients to participate in your program.   Maybe eventually, if the program becomes successful, you can charge a small participation fee for the program. 

SUGGESTION #10 

 The big one…research Foundations and Grant possibilities.   There are many Foundations who give money for non-profit organizations.   It’s important, however, to follow the directions for application carefully and always meet the deadlines.   Some Foundations will do matching funds.   There is so much out there to help you sustain the necessary funds to keep your organization running.

I hope this gives you a good start to creating acknowledgement in your community as well as necessary funds to help you function. 

The only thing that can get in your way is your own creativity.   SO, GO FOR IT and   have fun!