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GSNV Seminar: Thinking outside the Square

Alternative Sources of Fundraising Income for Community Groups

A seminar organised by GSNV in partnership with the Maribrynong City Council.

Report by Jane Timms

Thanks to Jane Timms from the newly formed S.C.A. Support Group (http://scars.comfypage.com/) & Andrew Williams, Director of Oz Ed Australian Ectodermal Dysplasia Support Group Inc.; (http://www.ozed.org.au/) for permission to publish this story. (Editors Note: Jane wrote this story for SCA members, but Andrew’s presentation was open to all and the ideas described can apply to all groups). The workshop was attended by Jane Tombs and Jane Timms from the S.C.A. Support Group (and 18 other participants).

Main Speaker Andrew Williams is the father of children who have Ectodermal Dysplasia; he also works in law enforcement. He is passionate about raising money for the ozEd Support Group, as he recognises the benefits that flow to the children and parents with this condition.

The money raised allows the group to offer social events, research, and raises awareness for Ectodermal Dysplasia. Funds are used to fund a teleconferencing link to all members on a regular basis. This means that members who are sometimes living in remote distant areas can share their daily experiences without the need for a ‘face to face’ meeting, prohibitive to some, due to time, distance and costs.

‘Branding’ (creating an easily remembered and recognisable logo and name) are vital first steps in giving the group an identity. That branding must accompany any literature, letterheads merchandising or fundraising event. It offers members a name which they can discuss the group and its purpose. Therefore the name and logo must give some clue as to what we are about and who we are working for

The logo also needs to be suitable for use on merchandise such as:

T- Shirts, pens, wristbands
Novelty items
collection tins
signage

Fundraising It is important to use fundraising methods that do not necessarily require our members to always be the people to be putting hands in pockets. Whilst raffles are a reasonable and effective way of raising money, and do have a place in fundraising efforts, Andrew reports that people are more inclined to assist if they walk away with something no matter how inconsequential. Branded Wristbands, pens and T-shirts offer the group exposure and allow the person donating to get something for their money.

It is important to remember to thank and acknowledge.

Other ideas for fundraising that will bring in money from outside the group.

Organise an out of uniform day at school or work
Create competition between work groups to out sell chocolates, etc.
Approach your local IGA supermarket and ask to have your group inslucded as a community group for their fundraising scheme. Shoppers select a charity of their choice to donate a proportion of their shopping dollar. Members may need to spend a morning at the supermarket handing out application forms to shoppers and have a flyer attached with some information about your group.
Collection Tins with appropriate identification labels (branding) on the tins and on collectors id’s
Take a tin to work and sell lollies or chocolates at a price that will cover costs and make some profit.
ANZ Bank Blue Week. This is a week organised by the ANZ as a community fundraising challenge week. Banks select a charity/cause to raise money for. They will compete with other banks within their proximity to raise the most funds. A member would approach a bank manager and ask to be considered for this scheme.
Some organisation like Rebel Sport have an annual charity day /week.
Ask your manager/ boss if you can setup a fundraising challenge possibly a walkathon, esp. good for workplaces that emphasise staff wellbeing and fitness.
Bunnings BBQ.
Politicians approach your local pollies to suggest they assist you by attending a function, offer to take photos of their involvement and send those photos to local media or better still invite local newspaper for photo opportunities. In Andrew’s experience in the past where MP’S have not been able to come to an event they have sent the price of a ticket in lieu.
Solicit businesses for sponsorship, especially useful are businesses that will benefit from having their business name promoted as being sponsors. Eg: Officeworks - assistance with printing and stationery; Coles - ask for donations of coffee, tea, biscuits for meetings or sausages for BBQ, Raffle hamper goods
Mobility Aids companies offer advertising space in newsletter in exchange for a discount or donated goods. Suggest we brand an item and acknowledge the assistance of companies.
Pharmaceutical companies are a little harder to access due to laws however they may assist in some creative way.
Websites. There are a few websites that will offer space for free or for minimal cost, these websites are then a valuable way for companies to advertise to their designated demographics, eg mobility aids companies. They pay a fee to advertise and they in return raise awareness of their products.
Many TAFE colleges will assist with website design. They are always looking for companies and groups needing help in designing and building a webpage providing real life projects for students to work on.
Lion’s and Rotary Community awards, acknowledging and celebrating the work people in the group have done either as a member or in the wider community. This may not immediately create funds however it does raise awareness and may become a cause for one of these groups.
Insurance companies and banks often offer fee free schemes to community or charity groups once they are incorporated. They may require payment of unavoidable government statutory fees.
It is useful when approaching any of the above people that a specific purpose is stated for the funds they may be contributing. Eg. We are raising $ 4000.00 towards the equipment needed to do genetic testing, here in Australia. Our aim is to raise $500.00 to purchase collection tins to put into banks.
Raising awareness of SCA and all related Ataxias is vital in gathering support and knowledge. Ask your Doctor, Neurologist, Physio, Speech Path, Pharmacist, and all related professionals, if you may contribute a story to a professional magazine.
Offer Testimonials to products that have made life easier for you.
A well worded generic and/or specific letter, pamphlet, flyer, should be written to highlight
- With all these suggestions it is vital that companies, big or small, private or public donations either financially or practical are acknowledged and thanked by way of a letter, personal visit by member of SCA or some other creative way to show our appreciation. Companies will often display certificates of appreciation in their reception areas. You may be able to state in a letter to the company how they have contributed and how they have made a difference in someone’s life.
  
  Membership Andrew reported that whilst membership fees to SCA would definitely raise funds, he suggested that charging a 5 year membership fee of eg. $25 per family made accounting and collection of funds more practical and created less admin issues than charging a yearly $5 dollar fee. Incorporation may require a membership fees to be charged annually. The example above shows how that problem can be overcome. We would actually acknowledge that members had paid an annual fee although it is all paid in a lump sum. This suggestion also gives the group a funding boost in our beginning stage.
  
  Note : There is no decision on what we would charge annually or for a five year period, the above amounts are an example only.
  
  For more information on anything you’ve read here, please contact Penny or Leah in the GSNV office on (03) 8341-6315.