How do you raise money for a cause?

How to Raise Money for a great cause!

• Answer:

  Raising money for a good cause is a truly noble undertaking. Helping others is a way to give back to society, whether you are helping people affected by natural disasters, fundraising for troops overseas or working for another great cause. However, if you try to raise and control the disbursement of the money on your own, you may run into problems. Many people are hesitant to donate to one person claiming to be raising money for a specific cause. Instead, learn the proper way to conduct your fundraising activities in order to ensure the money you raise goes to the right place. Difficulty: Moderate Things You'll Need Envelopes Charity logo stamp Lined paper Copy paper Printer Prepaid envelopes with charity logo and address Instructions Attach yourself to a charity the supports your cause. Check the Better Business Bureau to verify the legitimacy of the charity that you select. Make sure there are no consumer complaints against the charity. Contact the charity after you have investigated it and explain that you would like to raise money for the cause. Ask whether you can have your own events and drives or whether the organization must conduct them. Host a special event such as a walk-a-thon. Start planning at least three months before you schedule the event to take place. Go to local elementary schools and give children envelopes stamped with your charity's logo for donation money. Include a sheet of lined paper for each person that pledges money for the child who will be walking in the event. Visit local businesses in the months leading up to your event and solicit donations for the walk-a-thon, including refreshments and door prizes to give out to the children. Host a consignment sale with the approval of your charity. Contact local churches and find one that will donate a large space where you can host the event. Create flyers that list the time and place of the event. Include information about the charity that you will donate the proceeds to, as well as drop-off information for people who wish to donate goods for you to sell at the event. Go to local businesses and ask to place stacks of flyers there. Contact local radio and television stations and ask if they would run a short promotional spot about your event. Gain the permission of your charity for an individual donor campaign. Ask for names and addresses of donors who allow solicitation from your charity. Type up a one-page letter that explains the cause your charity supports as well as why it is important. Thank the readers for their help in the past and inform them that there is still much work to do. Ask for donations of any amount and include a prepaid envelope with your charity's logo and address on it. Have the letter approved by the charity before you mail it out. Mail the letters to each of the addresses that the charity provided to you. Keep careful records of each donation that you received for your events as well as all other expense-related items incurred by hosting the occasions. Record all money generated from the fundraisers and other activities as well as the names and contact information of those who donated. Turn all records in to the charity after the events have taken place. Mail letters to all private donors and business contributors who made the event possible and write a short thank you for their help with the event.