Fund Raising - Sun. 3:00pm
Direct mail, planned giving, investments, accounting systems, cutting costs

Presenters: Hershaft, LaSusa, Pacheco

Alex Hershaft
Founder and President, Farm Animal Rights Movement

Click here for a printable version of Alex's outline.

Effective fund raising is crucial to the success and growth of an organization, but effective management of available funds and other resources can be even more important.

Resource Management

Resources include funds, facilities, equipment/supplies, volunteer time, and contacts
Resource management involves both acquisition and judicious use of resources
FARM as case study

Acquisition

Direct mail
Other direct contacts
Payroll deductions
Donor cultivation
Grants
Events
Investments

General Rules

Don’t ask – don’t get; no retroactive giving
Don’t be bashful: you are doing donors a favor
Appeal to emotions
Empower your donors: treat them as friends and partners
Request other resources besides cash
Thank promptly and profusely

Direct Mail & Other Direct

Direct mail targeted and tangible, but very expensive (8c/name, 5c/envelopes, 15c/inserts, 6c/mailing, 14c/postage, 2c/misc = 50c/piece) vs. 15-20c from good prospect list
Long-term investment that requires constant cultivation
Required: lists (rent or exchange), carrier teaser, BRE, nice RD
Optional: live stamp, color brochure, premiums, test packages: impress vs extravagant
Telemarketing has not worked for us
Direct e-mail have not tested – just evolving; can give online

Other Acquisition Techniques

Payroll deduction requires working with local community fund or state campaign
Donor cultivation requires special attention and recognition, preferably by head of org
Purpose is to elevate contributors to regular donors: pledges, deferred giving
Very few foundations contribute to advocacy organizations, so largely waste of time


Alex Pacheco
Founder, 600 Million Stray Dogs Need You

The ABC's of the #1 way that large non profits raise 90% of their income.

  1. Direct Mail
    1. Acquiring mailing lists
    2. Elements of the “pitch letter”
    3. Caging
    4. Elements of the ‘thank you letter”
    5. Keeping the cycle going in a timely manner