Fundraising Conference 05-23

Four Waters:

Accountability- volunteers- the way we show respect
How do we “spend” our volunteers’ hours?
We need to arrange to:

• • Make an impact
  • Feel respected
  • Have a good time

Volunteers need to: Own the role

• • Meet the commitment
  • Ask for help if you need it

Don’t use the word “donation”, use “investment”
Three rules:

• Have a goal (Specific result)
• Have a goal (Objectives, actions)
• Have a goal (Measure results)
• Make goals aspirational but attainable.

Can relay team the money, sections at a time, meeting goals along the way.

All persuasion is personal.
Find ways to relate to investors personal goals.

Assure that money:

• • Will be spent wisely
  • Will have impact (how measured?)
  • Is worth the time and investment
  • Will have defined benefits.

Encourage people who want money to define what it will be used for.
Timing needs to be right (segmented goals)
Fundraising is an an organizing strategy that needs to be woven into a campaign.
Make sure its easy.
Email request needs to be followed up on or else used AS a follow up to a request.
 
Direct ask is best, including

• Reason
• Amount /by when
• Then, shut up. (How about monthly amount?)
• (Don’t go down) (Except when you do)
• Find out if friends can be allies in asking.

Public event ask-

SPONSORSHIPS before the event to cover costs and then all else is gravy
Present why it matters to (investor)
Remit envelopes at event with space to write info.
In presenting info about an event people need to be clear that it IS a fund raiser.
Phone calls, not email, to invite

Private events at someone’s home

Ask host to use email to invite = link + request
Crackers, cheese and wine can be as good as a sit down dinner.

Private letters asking for investment = 2 page

Personalize and tie to local goals,
Includes remit envelope

General

Get friends to ask friends to events
Use social media to spread the word
Recognize donars publicly
Socialization and fun
Personalized

Post Ask

Follow up
Pursue commitments that don’t come through
Hand signed thank you letters no longer than 2 weeks after.

Include photos and another remit envelope

Ideas for Fundraisers from other committees

Contra Costa County

Trivia Night
Build a relationship over time with specific investors

Explain specific goals

Annual Dinner
Get members of Committee and Clubs to donate regularly (apart from dues)
BBQ
Roosevelt Dinner with special speaker

Marin Co

Dining With Democrats + speaker

Drinks and Hors D’oevres
Cocktail Party

Mardi Gras

Shrimp Boil and Gumbo
Band + speaker

Reasons for fundraisers:

To support phone banks
Build Headquarters

Emails to previous sponsors and elected.

Placer County

My Free Bingo Cards website = Zoom Bingo

• • Friday nights
  • 2 cards $20
  • Raffle at end for prize

Online Auction Zoom or hybrid
Honor long time labor leaders (or whatever)

• Ticket $75
• Dinner, Music, Speaker
• Hook into candidate campaign

Sonoma County

Crab Feed Annual, 35^th so far,
Drive through
Raised $125K

Advice

Commit to the fundraiser
Get a great and popular speaker
Sell sponsorships ahead for special ($3k= 16 seats and full page ad)
Individual tickets $70
Donations = Wine 2-3 bottles included then $10 per bottle
BBQ (raised $25K)
Games like water balloon toss. Political trivia
Sell sponsorships ahead