Fundraising Program

Fundraising programs are alternative avenues to provide organizations with funds needed to use toward ministry, while providing a service to the community and encouraging giving for a worthy cause. There are many kinds of such events available to get involved with or to present to local communities which can be fun as well as profitable. A fundraising program can enrich a local ministry by reaching out to a community and sharing the organization's faith in the process.

Some of the choices for these events are direct sales, order taking, online sales, and special events. Direct sales involves purchasing products from the companies who provide them, and having organization volunteers sell, deliver and collect the payment from area supporters. Some companies, who provide these products for fundraising programs, will allow selling the products before they collect the funds and some will ask for payment for the products in advance. A fundraising program that involves purchasing products will also have a minimum set amount to order. The more products ordered, the better the profit.

A brochure with products listed is used with the order taking method. Items to be purchased will be listed in the brochure and the company will usually provide a sample of their products to show supporters. This fundraising program works well for the purpose of ordering what is known will sell easily. After obtaining orders from supporters and sending the orders to the company, they will ship the products to the volunteers who then deliver them and collect the funds.

Online sales for these programs involves obtaining a personalized website. Supporters purchase products directly from the website. The company, providing the products will, provide a link, which takes the supporter to their site to make the purchases. From the sales of these purchased products, a set amount is decided upon between the organization and the sales company - usually a set percentage.

A successful and fun event to organize is a special events fundraiser. Securing a facility and advertising by selling tickets to the show is a common way to undertake this type of fundraising program. Some companies will provide the facility and conduct the entire event for a nonprofit organization. Other companies offering fundraising programs will provide the products, the materials and the supplies and the sponsoring group has to do the advertising, selling and collecting.

Many products advertised in fundraising programs are candy, coupon books, specialty items, fruit baskets, calendars, appointment books, bookmarks, magnets, gift-wrap, bumper stickers, sports bottles and t-shirts, among other things. Set reasonable goals, communicating with volunteers and encourage them to be enthusiastic. In fundraising events, it is best to provide a product or service that is different, but appealing. Advertise with flyers, email, and encourage volunteers to tell family and friends. "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall" (2 Peter 1:10).

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