Each issue of The Fundraising Hotline includes a combination of new or unusual do-it-yourself fundraisers, fundraising product or event ideas, fundraising tips, news, trivia, book and/or software reviews, and maybe even a little humor.  We hope that each issue will contain information that is beneficial to you.  Good luck on your fundraising efforts.  We know how much work it can be! 

Do-It-Yourself Fundraiser Of The Month

Mom-O-Grams:  Make corsages for a special event such as Mother's Day, Homecoming, St. Patrick's Day, Valentine's Day, etc.  Take orders ahead of time and collect payment in advance.  Be sure to collect full particulars regarding the recipient's name and delivery address.  Have small note cards available for purchasers to complete to accompany the corsages.  A few samples for display at your table or booth will help promote sales.  Advance orders and collections will allow you to purchase only what you need to make the number of  corsages ordered and reduce the need for advance funds.  On the Saturday before Mother's Day (or the night before or morning of your chosen event) deliver the corsages with accompanying cards.  For an extra charge, the corsage can be accompanied with a singing telegram. 

Famous High School/Elementary School Dropouts

No one wants to encourage school dropouts but there are certainly some famous and successful people who have done so.  Some later returned to receive high school diploma equivalency status.  This group includes 515 males and 161 females: 18 billionaires, 8 U.S. presidents, 1 astronaut, 10 Nobel prize winners, 54 Oscar winners, and 52 best selling authors. A few specifics: Albert Einstein, Angelina Jolie, John D. Rockefeller, Sr, Henry Ford, Walt Disney, Michael J. Fox, "Colonel" Harlan Sanders, Don Imus, Princess Diana, Robert Downey Jr., George Gershwin, Elton John, Nicolas Cage, Charles Rangel, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dale Earnhardt, William Shakespeare, Vidal Sassoon, and many, many more.  Click here for the entire list.

   Busy Bucks  

A well worn dollar bill and a similarly distressed twenty arrived at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to be retired.  As they moved along the conveyor belt to the shredder they struck up a conversation.  The twenty reminisced about its travels all over the country. "I've had a pretty good life", the twenty proclaimed. "Why I've been to Las Vegas and Atlantic City, the finest restaurants in New York, performances on Broadway, and even a cruise from Miami."  "Wow!", said the single, "you really have gotten around."  "So tell me", says the twenty, "where have you been throughout your lifetime?"  "Oh, I've been to the Methodist Church, the Baptist Church, the Presbyterian Church, the Lutheran Church, the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, Assembly of God Church, the Episcopal Church, the United Church of Christ...."  And the twenty says, "What's a church?"

  How to Run a Successful Car Wash Fundraiser 

Everything you could possibly want to know is available in a free 46-page booklet titled 'How to Run a Successful Car Wash Fundraiser' prepared by the Car Wash Guys. A complete step-by-step guide to preparation, the wash itself, and follow-up. 

• Chapter 1: Picking dates and times, rain dates, finding volunteers, pre-sale tickets, wash-a-thons, organizing (person in charge, publicity coordinator, location & site locator, supplies person, ticket sales captain, shift scheduler, post car wash person and environmental coordinator), agendas for meetings, picking a location, insurance requirements, ticket graphics, and hours for the wash.

• Chapter 2: History, storm water discharge, what's in the water, choosing car wash products, water conservation, and using a pressure washer versus a garden hose. This was written for California residents so you may need to make some adjustments.

• Chapter 3: Motivation/pep talks, incentives, parent's help, teams, divide and conquer, overlap problems, other sales locations, and profits/goals.

• Chapter 4: Public service announcements, local newspapers, cable stations, newsletters, faxing, and flyers.

• Chapter 5: Set up, layout, supplies, supervision, organizing washers, signage, public address system, donation cans, hot dogs, bake sale, pancake breakfast, traffic flow, flyers, cash, media, counting cars, and vacuuming.

• Chapter 6: Clean up, towels, announce your earnings, thank you letters, certificates, property owners, city hall, fixed site car wash owners, letter to the editor, collecting pledges, evaluation, and setting a date for next years car wash.

Click here for free download (Note: It's large - 884K)