Tips for Finding the Best Fundraising Organizations

If you are in the process of planning a fundraiser for your school, church, or other nonprofit organization, then you need some good fundraising organizations on your side. When seeking fundraising organizations to work with, consider your needs. We've put together some tips and information to help you find the best fundraising organizations for your needs.

First, decide if you want to handle your fundraising, or if you want one of the many fundraising organizations out there to do it for you. Examples of companies that do all the work for you when it comes to fundraising include the American Fund Raising Institute, Barnes Associates, and Harvey & Associates. These companies represent a tiny fraction of the fundraising organizations out there today.

If you're a small facility like a school or church, you'll probably want to do the bulk of your fundraising without the assistance of an outside organization. However, you'll still need ideas for great fundraisers and ways to get the items you want to sell. There are many companies that offer popular fundraising items at good prices that come with alluring and colorful catalogs. Examples of great items to sell at a fundraiser include gourmet food, coffee, candy, popcorn, candles, and collectible items.

For the most cost efficient fundraiser that doesn't require the need for any fundraising organizations, try holding a bake sale, garage sale, auction or car wash. All of these ideas can be brought to fruition using the time and talents of community and organization members. For example, to hold a great bake sale, have the best bakers in your school or church donate their specialties to be sold to the community. Often you can set up tables or booths in front of high traffic areas like popular stores. Many hungry shoppers will often spend a few extra dollars on some homemade baked goods, which can mean success for your fundraiser!

If you do ultimately decide to work with fundraising organizations, do your research to make sure the company you choose to deal with is respectable and legitimate. Most are, but there are always those few shady organizations looking to prey on the naive.

With or without fundraising organizations, you can raise the money your organization needs with hard work, creativity, and determination. A good cause certainly doesn't hurt, either!

Copyright 2006 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved

Fundraising News:

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Market Wire - Toxin Alert Notice of Default Update December 23, 2008 -- Toxin Alert Inc. (TSX VENTURE: TOX) (the "Company") was unable to file its audited financial statements and other material for the fiscal year ended...

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Many Charities Are 'Somewhat Confident' About Fund-Raising Goals . Many Charities Are 'Somewhat Confident' About Fund-Raising Goals. According to a new survey, fund raisers say they are confident, but not wildly so, about meeting year-end fund-raising goals. Of 741 charities, the majority of ...

PR Newswire - Sterling Vineyards Raises $20,000 for Napa Families December 23, 2008 -- Funds Raised From the Sterling Silver Screen Series Help Make the Season Brighter for The Calistoga Family Center and St. Helena Family Center...

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