Fund Raising Events That Work

Even low-budget campaigns can enjoy great success holding fundraisers, so here are some ideas for you consider. The easiest, most low-key fund raiser is not an event at all. It is selling your yard signs, stickers, and/or buttons to raise funds in small amounts. And offer them for sale at your fund raisers. For example, include a free yard sign, bumper strip, or tee shirt with contributions of $25.

Jim Cooper, successful candidate for city council in Olympia, Washington, raised significant money that way. During and after the November election, he announced via his Website that, “All online donations of $25 or more will receive a free window cling.”

Check first with your state or local revenue department to see if your state considers donations for “free” items as taxable retail sales. If so, you have to decide if the required paperwork is worth the time and effort.

Small, informal fund raisers like gatherings for coffee at homes of supporters or at local restaurants for chips and dips serve two functions: They raise funds and provide content for the Candidate’s Event page on the Website.

A coffee gathering at supporter’s home works well when the host is a neighborhood opinion leader who attracts a group of the politically like-minded. The only expense to market the event is printing flyers to promote the event. Circulating them comes at no charge, for your host distributes them to the neighbors at no cost to your campaign.

Invitations to such gatherings today are more often circulated via email, also at no direct cost to the campaign. To cover attendant expenses, many campaigns request contributions for event food, beverages, and supplies. An event’s goal is that the campaign realizes a 100 percent profit. When the food, drink, and supplies are donated, your campaign gets closer to that financial goal. Gauge success also by the number of contributions and commitments to volunteer and/or to display yard signs are made.

As well as restaurants, look at community meeting rooms like a grange hall, a fraternal organization, or a public or private community center for your event. Then compare returns based on rental amounts, whether bartenders and food are supplied (larger fraternal halls often do), and how much preparation is needed. Some public buildings can be rented for fund raisers, but most disallow alcohol, so keep that in mind. Also consider holding ice cream socials in local city parks during summer months.

Regardless of event type or venue, weigh potential return for each. Just as with a neighborhood coffee event, seek out sponsors to contribute an event’s direct cost leaving 100 percent of contributions for your campaign. Once you and your advisors arrive at a venue which offers the best chance of creating value to the campaign, you can move ahead.

After the event, view it as a success if targeted number of attendees was met, you met them, they heard your message, and, perhaps, decided to support you. Commitments to place yard signs, offers to volunteer time, and checks written are all icing on the cake.

The Take Away

Keep your fund raising efforts simple and as low cost as possible to earn the most net return for your campaign kitty. Make your goal to spend as least as possible. And measure the success of your fundraising efforts in terms of net money raised and how your community image is broadcast via signs, car clingers and the like were purchased on line from your website or at fundraisers.