Fundraising News From Around the World

Rochester, NH: Volunteers camp out at fairgrounds in "sleep out" fundraiser to raise funds for homeless center; Peoria, IL: Police officers host clay shooting fundraiser to support families of fallen law enforcement officers; Willoughby, OH: Rotary raffles Corvette to fund youth-related charities and humanitarian programs; Friendswood, TX: High school tennis team holds 48-hour tennis marathon to raise funds to pay for trip to tournament; Ithaca, NY: Hundreds of women participate in 1.2 mile swim as part of ‘Women Swimmin' fundraiser for Hospicare; Chincoteague, VA: Volunteer fire department sponsors wild pony swim across the bay to support operations; Glen Falls, NY: Runners race train to benefit Dollars For Scholars; Fredericksburg, VA: Groups host fundraiser to help dry-cleaning company owner with legal bills as a result of famous $56 million lawsuit by judge over lost pants; Regina, SK: Team pulls 5-ton motor home to raise funds and awareness about cystic fibrosis; Collinsville, IL: Residents create worlds largest ketchup packet in an attempt to set a world record and raise money for facility recently destroyed by fire; Lincoln County, NE: Big Brothers/Big Sisters raise funds with cow drop fundraiser; Independence, VA: Courthouse foundation sponsors ‘Living History’ encampment as part of program to renovate Civil War monument on its front lawn; Indianapolis, IN: Cancer fundraiser offers $1 million prize in hole-in-one shootout; Sedona, AZ: Helicopter ball drops of thousands of numbered golf balls in fundraiser for a variety of local charities - the first golf ball in each of four identified holes win; Douglas County, KS: Senior center holds New England style tea fundraiser; Beaverton, OR: Church holds day long hymn-a-thon fundraiser; Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Indians Players' Wives Association in partnership with Cleveland Indians Charities play host to Mystery Ball fundraiser to benefit for children in crisis; Del Ray Beach, FL: American Red Cross and hair salon raise funds with Hair-A-Cane to increase hurricane preparation awareness.

JustFundraising.com: “Our softball team just raised over $5,000 profit, for the 2nd year in a row with JustFundraising” - No money down - Up to 90% profit - Free shipping – Personalized service - We guarantee the highest profit on all of America's favorite fundraising programs - Over 35 fundraisers: M&M Mars, Hershey’s and the Original One Dollar candy bars, scratch cards, gourmet cookie dough, lollipops, candles, cheesecake, pizza dough, fine chocolate, safety kits, granola bars, Jack Links beef jerky, magazines and much more for your group. Start by getting your free fundraising sample kit or call toll free at 1-888-440-4114.

Do-It-Yourself Fundraiser Of The Month

How many times have you asked, "Honey, will you do . . .," and waited (and maybe waited some more) for a home-improvement project to be completed? The Women Build Project of Syracuse Habitat for Humanity held a Honey-Do fund-raiser. Each raffle ticket entered the buyer into a drawing to win a crew of "Habitat Helpers" to help with a home improvement project. Helpers could paint a room, organize a closet or pantry, install a light fixture or small appliance, plant a garden in the spring, or help with garage or basement cleaning, but no housework. You could also suggest a project, and a team leader would assess its feasibility. Raffle tickets were $5 each or five for $20.

DigiLabs offers two unique fundraising programs. 1) Set up a private online storefront for photo cards, calendars and photobooks. Link this storefront to your web page and/or send out emails to your members with the storefront web address. From every fully customized photo product ordered via your site or email, your organization will make up to 25% of proceeds; or 2) Make fundraising calendars with your groups images, events and information with our free calendar software. Add text and images within dates (holidays, events, schedules, games, etc) and add sponsor info and logos to offset the cost of printing.

Non-Profit In The Spotlight

The Toronto Cat Rescue receives many calls daily from owners asking us to take in their family pets, which for various reasons they no longer want. We also receive calls from people who have found a stray cat in their neighbourhood. Due to our size and lack of available foster space, we are not able to help these people. However, we have created a program whereby we can provide assistance in finding homes for these loved pets and friendly strays. Our solution is the Owner/Foster program which will allow you the use of our volunteers and our website to assist you in your efforts to find your cat a new home.

Morris Press Cookbooks had modest beginnings when Fred Carlson opened a small local print shop in 1933. His son-in-law, Harold Morris, took over the business in 1956, and Harold's son, Scott, became President in 1976. Now we are the nation's largest cookbook publisher, printing cookbooks from all 50 states. Cookbooks are proven fundraisers and perfect keepsakes. For a free cookbook kit that shows you how a fundraising cookbook is affordable, profitable, and fun, visit our web site at www.morriscookbooks.com or call us at (800) 445-6621, ext. FHOTLN.

Interesting or Fun Facts

Walter Hunt had no trouble thinking up new ideas. First he invented a machine to spin flax. Then he invented a fire engine gong, a forest saw, a stove that burned hard coal. His inventions worked, but he just did not have the knack for making money from them. One day in 1849 Walter Hunt wanted to pay a fifteen-dollar debt to a friend. So he decided to invent something new. From a piece of brass wire about eight inches long, coiled at the center and shielded at one end, he made the first safety pin. He took out a patent on his invention, sold the rights to it for four hundred dollars, paid his friend back and had three hundred eighty-five dollars to spare. Then he watched his latest brainstorm go on to become a million dollar money earner for someone else. 
 

  Digilabs offers two unique fundraising programs, fundraising calendars and online fundraising. Fully customized fundraising calendars with your groups images, events and even sponsor information. The online fundraising program is simple to set up, no risk, automatically managed, viral spread. Valuable to users and works year round.

  Silver Jangles has 50% profit with no upfront costs. All sterling silver keepsake charms, bracelets, necklaces, earrings with sport, patriotic, dance, church and cheerleader themes. Email at info@silverjangles.com for your free info packet.

 Pride Distributors, Inc. - Create "Your Town"-Opoly custom board game. Raise $10,000-$50,000+. No risk, and have fun doing it. Call Harriet at 1-800-451-5442 for a free getting started fund raiser kit & sample game for "show and tell". No cost or obligation.

  Movie Premiere Fundraiser - Everyone loves to watch movies! High fun, high return. Hold a movie premiere at your location or in a local theatre. Movies are made available for a very limited time before their actual public release. Make money from ticket sales, sponsorships, and auction items. Visit: www.MoviePremiereFundraiser.com.