The primary purpose of the CC Challenge is to raise funds for the Concord-Carlisle Community Chest. Since 1947 Community Chest member agencies have provided a range of services for residents of all ages. A donation to the Community Chest supports funding for preschool and summer camp scholarships, senior home care, positive teen programs, individual and family counseling, help for the hungry, domestic violence intervention, adoption services, legal assistance, disaster services, parent education, and support for individuals with developmental disabilities. As a coordinating agency, the Community Chest ensures that services are delivered effectively and efficiently. More information about the Community Chest and its member organizations can be found at our home page.
The First Rule is to Ask
There are hundreds of books, college courses, seminars and lectures on the art and business of fundraising. Most of them arenÕt bad, but if you squeezed all of them hard enough to get one drop of advice that never failed, it would be - You raise money when you ask for it. Just the same, you donÕt raise money when you donÕt. The more you ask, the more youÕre going to raise.
Make a List of Donors
Who are the lucky people you are going to ask to donate to you? Who will give you a chance to invest in you? Write down the names of everyone you know. Everyone. DonÕt leave anybody out. Go through your address book. Think about any people whoÕve asked you for money for a charity before and put them on the list. YouÕll quickly see that the names on your list will suggest other names you had forgotten about. If you do it right, your list will astonish you! Take your time. Let the names bubble to the surface. Let your stream of conscience flow, and names will come to you. To help organize your thoughts hereÕs a contribution form.
Write a Letter
A personalized letter is the most basic tool of fundraising, and that's because it works. Whatever else you do, write a letter first! Use it to explain the facts - that you'll be participating in the Community Chest Challenge to support the work of organizations that feed the hungry, serve individuals with special needs, protect the abused, and care for children. Send your letter to everyone you have an address for, and then look for more addresses and send even more letters. Don't forget to include a donation form and a pre-addressed return envelope.
Here’s a sample letter.
The Laws of Successful Face-to-Face Asking
á Learn and know as much about the cause and the beneficiaries.
á Make your own contribution first.
á Meet with your prospects in person.
á Once you have asked for the donation, keep quiet and listen.
á If your prospect asks a question to relieve the tension, answer as briefly as you can and resume silence
á Always have a donation form with you!
á Be persistent and always say Thank You.
Work Your Neighborhood
There are countless opportunities to raise money within a few miles of your home. Think about it: the coffee shop, the gym, the car wash, the supermarket, the newsstand, the dry cleaner, the video store, the dentist's office, the bar, the deli, the parking lot, the bike shop, the pizza place. You patronize these businesses all the time - ask them to help you out with your fundraising effort. How?
á Just ask for money - businesses, too, can be donors.
á Put a poster in the window, explaining what you're doing and how to help.
á Display a donation box and/or letters & donation forms on the counter.
á Ask the business to donate a portion of their proceeds on a given day.
Get Social Making contact with as many people as possible will be key to your fundraising. Chances are your friends and family will be more than happy to be a part of your fundraising campaign, but you'll probably need to go beyond your inner circle.
á Throw a party. Ask everyone who attends to write a check when they enter the front door.
á Or host an event - a film screening, a boat cruise, a band night in a local bar.
á Ask your friends to ask their friends for donations.
á Then ask their friends to ask their friends.
Bring it to the Office
Your place of work is another opportunity to reach more people, and they're often a captive audience. Let people at work know what you're doing, and enlist their help:
á Just ask for money. Your company might be happy to donate
á Then, ask for more - see if your company has a matching gift program.
á Send an e-mail to the entire company with a donation form attached
á Approach clients, vendors, anyone else your company does business with (make sure it's OK with the boss!).
á Host a lunchtime meeting and do a presentation about the Community Chest.
Utilize the Power of the Internet
The Internet and e-mail have significantly affected the fundraising world. Use them to your advantage:
á Add a short message about donating to your e-mail signature.
á Build a website where people can learn about your commitment and donate money.