A speaker series can raise money for an organization.
For many organizations, fundraising activities provide the money that is necessary to operate throughout the year. As you plan ways to raise funds for your business or group, consider events that relate to your mission and goals. Look for events that involve the community, your customers, and other businesses and organizations in the area.
Speaker Series
For businesses and groups who have a wide net of connections in the community, a speaker series can be a lucrative fundraiser. Contact local celebrities, professionals, or business people in your area and ask them to speak for 45 minutes to an hour. You can choose a theme for the series that relates to your business or to the issues that are important in your community and customers. A health-related group , for example, might organize a series of talks related to weight loss and fitness; speakers could include a personal trainer, health foods chef, doctor, and a local resident who lost 75 pounds and went on to run a marathon. Charge an admission fee for each talk to raise money for your group, and be sure to have plenty of branded materials around for marketing purposes.
Eco Evaluation
If your business has someone on staff who is well-versed in ways to go green at home and at work, you can use her skills for a fundraiser. Market the person's services as an eco evaluation, and send them out to homes and businesses in your area for a nominal fee; she will look over the house or facility and find ways that the owner can reduce energy use, improve weather sealing, or handle recycling. This type of fundraiser is the most effective for a business or group that deals in environmental issues, because their established reputation will make them a more credible source of eco evaluations.
Online Donation Solicitation
If you have a website, you can add a fundraising page to solicit donations without much legwork. Design a page that explains the need for fundraising with your group, and lay out the parts of your operation that are affected by donations; often, visitors may be more inclined to give if they see how their money will be used. Add a simple button that allows people to donate through PayPal, and include an address for mail-in donations. As an extra benefit, you might include a Thank You section on your website with a running list of donor names and logos. A Web-based donation system is particularly effective if you have a high number of Web visitors each month or if you have a blog that will bring readers back with new content.
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