How to Create a Family Fundraiser

Extreme catastrophic events can put families over-the-top emotionally and financially. Whether someone has suffered the hardship of severe illness and subsequent medical bills, or lost his home to a fire or flood, good friends help each other out.



You may know someone who needs emergency assistance. Family fundraisers are a great way to gather round the ones you love, lift their spirits and bring them the financial help that they so desperately need.

Instructions

• 1

  Define the need. Write down a mission statement that describes the family's hardship and how this fundraiser will go about meeting its need.

• 2

  Keep it honest. Set up a separate bank account for the fundraiser. All recordkeeping must be accurate and above scrutiny.

• 3

  Select the type of fundraiser. There are so many types of fundraisers from which to choose: car washes, candy or gift wrap sales, bake sales, selling custom-made cookbooks, raffles, spaghetti dinners, seeking contributions online.

• 4

  Acquire supplies. Whatever type of endeavor, invariably some supplies will be needed. Many businesses will gladly donate supplies in return for a letter of thanks detailing the gift and/or advertising them as a "proud sponsor" of the fundraiser.

• 5

  Call in volunteers. The family's need inspired you to go to great lengths to help. Its story will touch the hearts of others, as well. Look for faithful workers who are willing to volunteer their time to make your fundraiser a success.

• 6

  Spread the news. Every successful fundraiser requires a certain amount of publicity. It may be word-of-mouth advertising through door-to-door sales or something on a grander scale. Consider whether it is newsworthy. If it is, contact the local media for free coverage. Other possible methods are: selling tickets, distributing fliers, putting up posters, starting a website and use of social networking, to name a few.

• 7

  Produce a great event. Make people glad they helped. Do all that you can to give the public a quality product in return for its generosity. If it is a car wash, go all out in making that car shine. If it's a spaghetti dinner, serve quality food in good quantities with excellent hospitality. Even a website campaign can have a "feel good" element with updates on how their generous contributions are meeting the need.