SHOPPING TOURS 2013
A how-to guide for Australian fundraising volunteers
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FUNDRAISING WITH
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In this ebook, a companion to my 22 lessons for A+ fundraising, let’s look at the possibilities that come from organised shopping tours.
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Read on to find out how.
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Happy Fundraising!
Imagine making money for your school or club while picking up bargain buys for yourself!
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Fundraising with SHOPPING TOURS
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What’s on offer Organised warehouse shopping tours take us where we may fear – or at least not have a clue where – to tread!
Why consider this fundraising option? Choosing to host a shopping tour is a fun way to build community within your group – you’ll get to know one another throughout the day – and make money.
When to run your fundraiser? If you’ve read 22 lessons for A+ fundraising, you will have in place: •
a SMART goal – a real target and purpose for fundraising
Mother’s Day is another popular choice. But in reality, shopping is a favourite Australian leisure pursuit yearround. Bargain hunting is a close second! The real question with timing relates to the people you want on board your bus:
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Would school hours attract more people or do you need to make this a weekend event? Most tour companies operate Monday to Saturday with the occasional Sunday available.
Choosing the supplier who’s right for you
The Fundraising Directory takes the legwork out of finding suitable • a fundraising calendar with suppliers. You can send online a mix of opportunities queries to suppliers seeking more throughout the year – without information and then decide who being too enthusiastic or best meets your needs. greedy. Here are the absolute essential The lead-up to Christmas is an questions to ask: obvious time when people open 1. How long has the company up their wallets and need to shop; been in business? so a shopping tour overcoming the hassles of parking and taking 2. How long have they been shoppers right to bargains may doing fundraising tours? appeal. (There is a difference!)
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Fundraising with SHOPPING TOURS
3. Is the tour guide experienced: 6. What advantages can be a real people person who’ll be offered? For example, special able to gee up the group? prices available only to this group, not to everyday 4. How much can we expect to shoppers. make? 7. Will your tour provider assist with prizes for raffles? Commission on sales is the common way of making money. 8. Does your tour provider The more people you have on supply flyers, brochures board, and the more they spend, – anything to excite the the higher the commission. community to get involved? Check what the minimum number of paying adults is to qualify. We provide tips for making extra dosh at How to make this work.
When talking to the company rep, consider her communication style. You want to work with someone who listens to your needs. FUN & FUNDRAISING MADE EASY!!
5. Will you visit stock-standard warehouses or will the tour be suited to your group’s particular interests and needs? What is your group interested in? The choice is huge: women’s clothing, lingerie, men’s wear, children’s wear, handbags and luggage, shoes, cosmetics, perfume, jewellery, Manchester, homeware, toys, confectionary, pantry, giftware, books, music, Christmas decorations.
THE ORIGIN AND T AL H BEST! E
Fun and Fundraising Specialists. The more you Shop the more you can Save the more you can Earn. Sydney’s only Shopping Tour Company with their own fleet of Luxury Coaches and Modern Charter Buses.
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The company rep should also ask you questions about:
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your group’s financial goal
•
your fundraising timeline
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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!
How to make this work 6
•
Distribute a date claimer well in advance.
outlets you may never have thought to visit. •
Emphasise that there’s no obligation to spend: you want bums on seats. Hopefully even the most resistant shopper will get swept up in the moment and open the purse.
Extra ways to make money on a shopping tour 1. Add a little margin to the base seat cost. Be careful: you don’t want to price yourself out of reach.
2. Borrow a huge Esky, fill it with soft drinks bought on special at the supermarket and put them on ice. Even at $1 a can, you’ll make a profit.
Talk up the benefits: door-to- door service; chauffeur driven (ok, it’s a bus, but you’re not having to park it!); special prices offered only to your group; exposure to
3. Organise two or three raffles during the tour: one early, one midway and one drawn as you arrive back at the car park. Ideally get your prizes donated from businesses: ask your tour operator to help organise. $2 a ticket or three for $5 soon adds up.
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Get firm bookings. Seats on the bus need to be paid upfront.
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Spread the word through networks of friends. This is a great excuse to catch-up!
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Fundraising with SHOPPING TOURS
When the fundraising’s over Orders have been dispatched, the money’s banked, and it’s all over, right? Not quite. But then, you know that: you’ve read 22 lessons for A+ fundraising! Here are some of the jobs that the fundraising committee still needs to do:
1.
Share the outcome with your community.
Too often, a fundraiser just fades away. People want to know what happened! 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 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.
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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 3. Fundraising with Athons & Raffles 5. Fundraising with Bulbs, Herbs & seeds
g id e a s.c o
4. Fundraising with Books
The Essenti als of Fundrais ing 2013 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 12. Fundraising with Glowsticks & Flashing Novelties 13. Fundraising with Homewares
NG
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14. Fundraising with Miscellaneous Ideas
FUNDRAISI
ARTWO WITH STATIONERK, R & LABELSY 2013
15. Fundraising with MOTHERS & FATHERS DAY STALLS A how-to gu Australian ide for fundraising voluntee
rs
.au
16. Fundraising with Novelties & Showbags
fundraisin
11. Fundraising with Food & Fruit
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 25. Fundraising for Sporting Clubs & community groups
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Fundraising with SHOPPING TOURS
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Individuals 2013
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26. Fundraising for Individuals
Fundraising
fundraisin gideas.com
21. Fundraising with Toys & Educational