GLOWSTICKS 2013
A how-to guide for Australian fundraising volunteers
fundraisingideas.com.au
FUNDRAISING WITH
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Things you should know: Information current as at 23 November 2012. This information does not take your financial circumstances into account. Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 is the issuer of the products in this advertisement. Terms and Conditions apply to and are available for each of the products. You can obtain a copy of these by contacting Westpac on 132 032, by visiting westpac.com.au or visiting any of our branches. You should consider the Terms and Conditions before deciding on a product. © 2012 Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL and Australian credit licence 233714. WSS0027_FD
EDITOR Mandy Weidmann 1300 653 305
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One of the biggest decisions a committee has to make is what to do to raise those much needed extra funds for a group project. From my experience, product drives make fundraising easy. But there are so many different products to choose from! The Fundraising Directory presents you with an A to Z guide of reliable and proven fundraising products and services in Australia. In this ebook, a companion to my 22 lessons for A+ fundraising, let’s look at the possibilities that come from just one category – glow products.
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Happy Fundraising! Direct Digital
What’s on offer The Fundraising Directory is ablink with glow products, provided by quality suppliers, and including: •
glow sticks
•
glow ropes
•
glowing, flashing novelties
•
flameless candles
When to run your fundraiser? Glow products will sell themselves but they need the right environment. They will not sell ‘like hotcakes’ in broad daylight. They may ‘go ballistic’ if you combine the glow product fundraising drive or stall as an ancillary to an event such as a disco night or night-time fete or celebration.
Choosing the supplier who’s right for you The Fundraising Directory takes the legwork out of finding suitable suppliers. You can send online queries to suppliers seeking more information and then decide who best meets your needs. 4
Fundraising with GLOWSTICKS
Here are the absolute essential questions to ask: 1. How long has the company been in business? 2. How many years of experience does the company representative have in fundraising? 3. What is the percentage profit of sales? 4. How much can I expect to make? 5. Is the product high-quality? Quality products equal quality revenue returns. 6. Is the drive based on orders or pre-purchase?
7. Does the supplier provide services that will help save volunteers’ time such as checklists, promotional posters, tally sheets, collection envelopes, pre-sorting?
8. Is there a prize incentive program? If so, who pays for it? 9. Are products paid for in advance or upon delivery? Will they work with you on a fair payment option? 10. What is the returns policy?
Fundraising with GLOWSTICKS
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The returns policy is particularly important if you are buying goods up-front. Having boxes of unsold product in your garage is dead profit. It’s better to sell-out at a function than have leftovers that you may not be able to return.
When talking to the company rep, consider her communication style. You want to work with someone who listens to your needs.
The company rep should also ask you questions about:
•
your group’s financial goal
•
your fundraising timeline
•
the number of potential participants and their ages
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any historical information (e.g. past fundraisers, participation levels, successes and failures).
If he doesn’t, he’s not really interested in you: and you shouldn’t be interested in him either!
Become a fan of the fundraising directory on facebook and win! facebook.com/fundraisingdirectory
Monthly Prize Draw:
Win a Rose Bloom from
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Fundraising with GLOWSTICKS
Fundraising tips
When the fundraising’s over
22 lessons for A+ fundraising details how to get the most from product Orders have been dispatched, the drives. money’s banked, and it’s all over, Remember, glow products are pure right? Not quite. But then, you know impulse buys. Your sale of them will that: you’ve read 22 lessons for A+ rely on the promotion of your main fundraising! event to get an audience – whether Here are some of the jobs that the at a concert, or a fete finishing with fundraising committee still needs to fireworks, disco or Christmas carols. do: Once you have a captive market, 1. Share the outcome with I recommend these two tactics to your community. help sales: Too often, a fundraiser just • Let them be seen! Activate fades away. People want to a handful and walk into a know what happened! crowd of people. Once one person buys, others will too: this is one time you won’t mind hearing the “Mum, I want...” whine! •
Consider your pricing carefully. These are ‘spur-of- the-moment’ buys and won’t last forever. You need to cover cost and make some profit– but don’t price yourself out of the market. If you’re walking around working the crowd, you want to don’t want to be ferreting around in the dark for change either. Set your price at whole dollars. Fundraising with GLOWSTICKS
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Communicate the result with all who took part – committee members, volunteers, and supporters – using your newsletter and/or website.
2.
Provide your fundraising supplier with feedback.
Then head to the supplier’s listing on the Fundraising Directory website to leave a review of this supplier to share with other fundraising volunteers.
3.
Congratulate your volunteers on a job well done.
They’ll be more receptive to helping again.
4.
Complete the Report Card in your Fundraiser’s Handover Manual. Immediately after the fundraiser, complete a Fundraising Report Card in order to assess the event. The Fundraising Report Card can be downloaded from fundraisingdirectory.com.au and can easily be passed on to the next organiser for future
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Fundraising with GLOWSTICKS
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events. The templates are simple to use and to fill out so that you can continuously improve your fundraisers every year. Subscribe to our FREE monthly Fundraising eNewsletter to receive a bonus Fundraising Report Card Template. Click here to subscribe.
Index to Fundraising eBooks FREE eBooks available from fundraisingideas.com.au fu n d ra is in
1. The Essentials of Fundraising - 22 Lessons for A+ Fundraising 2. Fundraising with ARTWORK, STATIONERY & LABELS 4. Fundraising with Books 5. Fundraising with Bulbs, Herbs & seeds
g id e a s.c o
The Essenti als of Fundrais ing 2013
3. Fundraising with Athons & Raffles
RAISING
22 LESSONS FOR A+ FUND
m .a u
6. Fundraising with Chocolates & Lollies 7. Fundraising with Clothing & Jewellery 8. Fundraising with Custom Labelled Beverages 9. Fundraising with ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS 10. Fundraising with Entertainment FUNDRAISI
12. Fundraising with Glowsticks & Flashing Novelties
ARTWO WITH STATIONERK, R & LABELSY 2013 NG
13. Fundraising with Homewares
gideas.com
14. Fundraising with Miscellaneous Ideas 15. Fundraising with MOTHERS & FATHERS DAY STALLS
.au
A how-to gu Australian ide for fundraising voluntee
16. Fundraising with Novelties & Showbags
fundraisin
11. Fundraising with Food & Fruit
rs
17. Fundraising with Personal Care Products 18. Fundraising with Photography 19. Fundraising with Promo Products/Wristbands/Badges 20. Fundraising with Shopping Tours 22. Fundraising for High Schools 23. Fundraising for Primary Schools 24. Fundraising for Childcare & Kindergartens
Fundraising
fundraisin gideas.com
21. Fundraising with Toys & Educational
for
Individuals 2013
25. Fundraising for Sporting Clubs & community groups
.au
26. Fundraising for Individuals
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