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Fundraising Ideas
If you are looking for ways to participate and do your own fund raising
activities, and you are like most of us and lacking in imagination, you will
find some ideas here below. First, let us share some tips for successful
fund raising.
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Tip No. 1:
Remember to keep good
accounting records of funds raised.
Tip No. 2:
Try to get as much donated as possible. Get your local merchants and
communities involved by asking them to donate items for Silent Auctions and
Raffles or provide services free of charge.
Tip No. 3:
Remember to recognize those who donate items and services to your event. Everyone likes to
know that their efforts are noticed and it will make them more likely to
help out in the future.
Tip No. 4:
Get your local media involved if at all possible. They will spread the word
and give your event free exposure which will help in fundraising as well. |
Many Silent Auctions have been
held over the years and all were lots of fun and raised a great deal of
money. An average of $2,000 - $3,000 has been raised with silent
auctions . Companies and individuals have donated very nice prizes ranging in
value from $100 to $6,000 which have helped in raising considerable funds!
Here are some tools that will
make the organizing of a Silent Auction a little easier:
Prize Donation Form
(Word file)
Use this form to approach
friends, colleagues, corporations in your community, members of your
organization - anyone you can think of - to request donations to your
cause. This is a Word file to allow you to modify it to meet your needs.
Feel free to modify it in any way you want. The Log-A-Load for Kids logo
is included in the file.
Silent Auction Bid Sheet
(PDF file)
Use this form during the event
to allow individuals to bid on donated items.
Still have questions on how to
organize a
Silent Auction? Contact the
Canadian Woodlands Forum.
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Raffles are relatively easy to
organize and can raise a considerable amount of money as well. Several
have been held since the inception of the Log A Load for Kids Program.
Simply get companies and individuals to donate items to be raffled (see
Prize Donation Form above). Sell
your raffle tickets for a pre-determined amount depending on the value of
the prizes. Remember to get lottery permits or licences according to the
law in the Province where you will be holding the raffle. Search
Provincial government web sites for forms and how to apply.
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Hockey! What else do Canadians
talk about? This is a fun and effective way of raising funds. Hundreds of
dollars can be raised through an office pool.
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Major's Logging Limited held a
"mini log" race in the Corner Brook Stream in 2002 and raised $3,390! Mini
logs were numbered and purchased by individuals. The mini-logs were then
thrown into the stream. The first log to reach the pre-determined finish
line won a cash prize. For more details on how to organize your own mini log
race contact Laura Major at Major's Logging Limited at (709) 635-4363.
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A number of logging
contractors have donated the value of wood cut during a day or a week-end,
to the program. A total of 28 employees of New
Venture Logging and Stuckless and Stuckless Limited donated all the wood
they cut for one day and raised $3,964.
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Ask your employees if they are
willing to donate a small amount off their pay cheques every week. Or ask
your employees if they would be willing to work one day for no pay and you
donate what you save on payroll to Log-A-Load for Kids. Some companies
have done this and matched what was raised by their employees to the tune
of up to $3,000. Donations made in this way may receive income tax
receipts.
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Donate a Portion of Proceeds
from Ticket Sales
Provincial and Regional Forestry
Associations who organize regular, yearly activities may donate a portion
of ticket sales for a given activity, such as $5 for every banquet ticket
sold. This is an effortless way of participating for those who lack the
human resources to manage and organize larger fund raising events.
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Hockey and Soft Ball
Tournaments have been organized by Canadian Woodlands Forum members which
have raised between $5,000 and $23,000 with amounts being raised
increasing with each year the event is organized. Tournaments take a lot
of organizing and some dedicated volunteers but they do have the potential
to raise very large sums of money. Here are some ideas of the types of
tournaments that can be organized:
Hockey, Soft Ball, Golf, or
any other group sport.
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Sell tickets in the office, to
your neighbours and friends to raffle off a turkey at Christmas, a
chocolate bunny at Easter, a romantic week-end for two for Valentine's
Day, etc. Grocers, florists and resorts will help support the program by
donating the items being raffled. Don't be afraid to ask. All they can do
is say no!
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