Fundraising Tips
- Each TA must raise $500 to help pay for the semin
ar. This helps cover room and food costs, as well as materials such as paper, pencils, etc. used during the seminar.
- The first $250 is due by Saturday, March 29. The second $250 is due by the seminar. Send them to:
Miriam Stocker
16020 W-11 Mile
Southfield, MI 48076
- With each donation, you should be sure to fill out and send in a fundraising form. Click on that link to download it in PDF format, which you can view and
print with Adobe Acrobat Viewer.
- Here are some good organizations to ask for funds:
- Stores and businesses -- even the smallest stores will usually donate a small amount. Large, national chains may ask you to fill
out a donation request form. Remember that JC Penney's is a national sponsor of HOBY!
- Community groups -- especially Kiwanis clubs (which are national supporters of HOBY!), Rotary clubs, Elks, Jaycees, Masons, Xanta, American Legio
ns, etc. Many of these groups have the support and education of youths as one of their major goals.
- Your High School -- schools are usually very willing to donate from their Gifted and Talented (also called Talented Students, Advanc
ed, Youth Services, etc.) funds, since they will be supporting a student from the school.
Going business-to-business along a few streets is a good way to do this. Don't get discouraged if some businesses don't want to donate, and don't w
orry if they decide to take some time and contact you later.
- Be prepared. Whether you are speaking to a community group or a business, you should have information about HOBY in printed form ready for them. Some good example
s are available at http://members.aol.com/mihoby/facts.htm. It is also nice to have a short cover letter. I have posted some samples on my site.
- Be c
oncise. Businesses especially want to know why you are there without any runaround.
- Good example:Walk up to the first employee you see in a business and say "Hi, I'm David Clark, and I'm fundraising for an outstanding youth group called Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership." They may listen to you, or redirect you to somebody else, but you'll have impressed them positively!
- Bad example:Wander around until you find the "highest up" pers
on you can, and say "Hi, um, I'm here because I'm with HOBY, and we're this group that is just great! Oh, I'm fundraising, we're trying to get money for a seminar this year, it'll be a lot of fun... um, the seminar is for sophomores..." That was
long, not directly to-the-point, and the employee probably had no idea what HOBY means.
- Be positive and enthusiastic. Be sure to point out that any money they donate will be going to help a student from their community. The mo
ney will also be used only to help the student -- nobody is paid to be a TA or a Group Facilitator. Tell the business about your personal experiences in HOBY, the effect that it had on you, and why you want to be a TA.
- If the business
or group wants more information, the best source is:
- Start BIG! When it comes to actually asking for money, begin just a
little above what you think the business or group is willing to donate. For example, you might ask a large business for $400. The worst they can say is no, and there is always the possibility that they will say yes! If they say no, lower the amount to $20
0 for example -- never give up! (Can't you just hear Uncle Don now? :)
- On the flip side, when the group offers you money -- take it! Don't argue that it is too little, and never suggest that it is too much. Thank them profusely
.
- Be sure to mention that donations are tax-deductible!
- At the very least, you will need the name, address, and phone number of a contact from every business or group that donates to you, as well as that group or business's tax
ID number. This is important, so that they can receive a receipt after donating!
- After the seminar, write personal thank-you notes to every individual, group, and business that gave money to you. Be sure to tell them how the money was used
(for supplies, rooms, food, etc.) and thank them for their generosity. It is usually very inexpensive to place a small ad in a local paper thanking the businesses as well, and that is great publicity for them. They will love you for it!
Questions? Comments? Do you have more fundraising tips? E-mail me:
dcclark@mtu.edu
Home