How to Start a Fund Raising Project?

Fund raising can refer to a simple bake sale or raising millions of dollars. This article will focus on capital fund raising. Capital fund raising campaigns can help organizations raise millions and even billions of dollars, in some cases. Many non-profit organizations will hold fund raising campaigns in order to obtain funds for their organization. These campaigns require strategic planning and detailed proposals.

Each proposal will detail the amount of capital desired to raise, the length of time allotted to raise the desired funds, and how the funds will be appropriated once raised. Some non-profit organizations will raise money for land acquisition for a building, equipment or for operating costs for the organization. The fund raising campaign depends upon the needs of the organization.

Some campaigns may last several years depending upon the amount of funds needed for the organization. Fund raising campaigns may include each of the following:

•%09Direct Mail

•%09Email Solicitation

•%09Internet Campaigns

•%09Telephone Solicitation or Telethons

•%09Galas or Balls

•%09Speakers

Other fund raising methods are also available. However, these are some of the more common forms of fund raising that are available to raise millions of dollars. To raise this amount of money, organizations must solicit large corporations, foundations, wealthy individuals with endowments, and also appeal to the masses. Non-profit organizations often seek the assistance of churches, because most churches are philanthropic and are willing to donate to a worthy cause.

Raising public awareness for the organization is the major way to solicit the funds for the organization. The more people who are aware, the more likely people will give to the organization. Television and gaining a spot on the local news will also increase awareness for a philanthropic cause. In the case of Haiti, for instance, telethons were held by major celebrity contributors. In one evening, a telethon raised millions for a single cause. Fund raising is not difficult if the cause is credible and the affluent are sympathetic to the needs of the organization.

Volunteers are an essential part of philanthropic or non-profit campaigns. Most individuals do not have the funds to spend to secure people to raise funds for an organization. Many campaigns will solicit 100s of volunteers to raise funds for a cause. If the Haiti organization hired each of the celebrity volunteers, they would have spent more securing the talent, then they actually raised. Therefore, it is important to build a strong volunteer force or involve the current paid staff to conduct the fund raising event for the organization.