Fundraising- 'Donation' Race Nights- Part 1

Fundraising - Demo Case Study

testimonial: fundraiser We shall provide a theoretical case study to demonstrate how to raise over US $3000 (or UK £1500, or its equivalent in your currency) in just a couple of hours, starting with absolutely nothing!

We will start by assuming you will be ordering our fully personalized Race Night pack at $430 (£217), plus 1000 off Fun Money bills at $20 (£10). This provides everything needed for up to 80 people but we will also assume that you also order 100 admission tickets at $49.50, (£25), an extra set of betting tickets at $44 (£22.50), and eight sets of Lucky Dip tickets at $6 (£3) giving a total cost of $591 (£298). Well hold on to your shells 'cos here we go . . .

Introduction: Fundraising demo - Sources of Funds

There are five main fundraising sources for the race right, three before the event:

'Donations' for Race sponsorship
'Donations' for Snail sponsorship
'Donations' for Admission ticket

and two at the event:

'Donations' in return for 'Fun Money'
'Donations' for a 'Lucky Dip'

Step 1: Fundraising demo- Race Sponsors & prizes

Action: Your team encourage local businesses to support fundraising effort by sponsoring and naming one of the races. You also ask them to donate a prize for the sponsor of the winning snail in their race. Perhaps a 'gift voucher' or a sample of their produce. You point out that:

their race name will be in the video throughout the entire race
their race name will be printed on every betting ticket
their name and their race name will be printed on every race card
they will be provided with a VIP table at the event

All this is excellent promotion and advertizing.

Result: Some businesses did not wish to sponsor a race but 'donated' a prize for the auction at the end of the fundraising event. However eight of them donated $50 (£25) per race and a small prize for the sponsor of the winning snail.

Congratulations! Your fundraising is underway - you have raised $400 (£200) funds.

Note: For larger or more prestigious fundraisers you can ask for $100 to $200 sponsorship per race. Try to make the race name amusing. See sample race names

Step 2: Fundraising demo - Snail Sponsors

Action: Your team encourage friends and colleagues to sponsor and name a snail to support your fundraising. You allocate this task to 8 people - getting each to find sponsors for the 8 snails in one race. You point out that:

their snail name will be in the video
our talking parrot will introduce their snail by their snail name
their snail name will show on the 'betting' tickets
their own name will be in the video
their name and their snail name will be printed on every race card
they will receive a prize if their snail wins the race

Result: Congratulations! You got 64 snails sponsored at $10 (£5) each, raising another $640 (£320) of funds.

Your fundraising event is looking good.You have now raised a total of $1040 (£520).

Note: Print out a sponsorship collection form for each race to collect sponsors. $10 (£5) is common to name and sponsor a snail. See sample snail names . If you just want to have the snails sponsored then use our default snail names (see race card information sheet) and charge say $6 (£3).

Step 3: Fundraising demo - Pay for your Race Night!

Action: You place your order online, using our easy 24/7 online ordering system.

Result: You pay out $591 (£298). Thank you!

You have now raised $449 (£222) funds - from here on it's plain sailing!

Step 4: Fundraising demo - Admission tickets / advertizing

Action: To ensure good attendance at your fundraising event you:

make posters to advertise your Race Night (see our poster template )
exchange admission tickets for 'donations'
advertise your event in your local press (optional)

You point out the additional attractions of your fundraising event such as the star prizes, refreshments etc and alo that each admission ticket holder will receive $10 (£5) of fun money at the door.

Result: You sell all of the 100 entrance tickets before the event at $20 (£10) and raise $2000 (£1000).

Congratulations! So far you've succeeded in raising $2591 (£1298) funds and there's more to come yet!

Note: Some organizers prefer to ask for a larger 'donation' of say US $40 (£20) per ticket with more free 'fun money' at the door, this is best if you think your audience may be more reserved in their attitude to 'betting'. Keep the entrance cost reasonable to encourage attendance.

Next: demo Part 2