Fundraising News From Around the World

Greenwood, IN: Library Teen Advisory Board hosts fundraiser that offers teens an opportunity to play board games featuring life-size versions of Monopoly, Sorry, Candyland and Clue set up for teams to work their way through. Proceeds benefit Friends of the library to pay for materials for future teen programs and books for the young adult collection; New Bedford, MA: Eight-year-old girl holds ‘animal shelter’ fundraiser for her birthday party for second year. She decided she didn’t need a big party for herself, so she threw one in support of local animal shelters asking party guests to bring donations in lieu of presents. When time came for her birthday party, she got in touch with the Humane Society and Shelter to see what they may need. From the shelter’s “Wish List,” she created her own list for donations, which she sent out along with the party invitations; Seattle, WA: Firefighters prepare for annual firefighter stair climb fundraiser. They will climb 788 feet of vertical elevation carrying almost 75 pounds of equipment. The firefighters will have to climb 69 flights of stairs (1,311 steps) to reach the observation deck; Cambridge, ON: Kids to take part in The Museum’s “The Brush Off” fundraising event. Artists of all kinds will participate in a friendly competition, painting and creating art live in front of an audience. Twenty artists will test their skills through five rounds of competition. Only visitors can determine who makes it through each round and is ultimately crowned the night’s champion; Wisconsin Rapids, WI: Literacy Council turns Scrabble into a fundraiser for the organization's literacy efforts. In case you're wondering, "fundraiser" could be worth 14 points, depending on where it is played on the board. Each team will play three timed games -- 20-minute, 15-minute and 10-minute. Basic Scrabble rules will apply; and Evanston, IL: A suburban Chicago high school fundraiser to save a popular arts center is motivating students to donate with an earsplitting incentive: pay up and they'll stop blasting Justin Bieber's "Baby" during passing periods. Evanston Township High School seniors convinced school administrators to let them play the pop star's biggest hit over the loudspeakers for one week, or until they'd raised $1,000. Within three days, students had coughed up enough cash to silence the Canadian singer's repetitive single. Between Monday and Wednesday, the pop song, which features Bieber singing the word "baby" 54 times, played through around 20 times in between classes. The school reportedly rebuffed student complaints, encouraging ETHS kids to play along and donate money to make the music stop.   More fundraiser news can be found on our Facebook page.

Skratchers was developed to overcome many of the problems associated with traditional fundraisers, such as cumbersome order-taking and deliveries, consistently less value for the supporter, and the need for more profit. We have worked hard to ensure that Skratchers is superior to other traditional fundraisers and that it beats out all other scratch card programs. A Skratchers fundraiser is hassle-free, and provides high profit, great value, high quality, free shipping, quick delivery, and won’t spoil or melt. Get a free sample and learn more at Skratchers.com or call toll free 888-800-9506.

Do-It-Yourself Fundraiser Of The Month

Text Donations: You have seen 'Text to Give' campaigns after major natural disasters. Why not consider doing the same for your organization? The United Performing Arts Fund, Milwaukee, WI, launched its first mobile giving campaign. During a specified period, anyone with a cell phone could donate $10 to UPAF and its 34 member and affiliate performing arts groups, by texting UPAF to 20222 and then confirming their donation by replying yes to the text message they received back. Donations are tax deductible, and pledges were billed through the donor's monthly cell phone bill. A one-time donation of $10 was added to the donor's mobile phone bill or deducted from their prepaid balance. Do a Google search for 'text donations' and you will find several companies that offer this service.  It would be wise to check with other organizations that you have seen use this fundraising method for advice on the vendor to use, tips, and pitfalls to avoid.

EZFund has easy fundraising ideas with quality products and services. Our programs work well for schools, churches, PTA, sports teams or any other group fundraising projects. We have 12 years of fundraising expertise and provide the best products with full support to make your fundraiser successful! Choose from a wide variety of food product fundraisers such as cookie dough, pretzels, funnel cakes and dessert bars. If you are looking for a quick idea, try our in-hand sellers like Smencils, gourmet lollipops, and candy. We also offer brochure programs such as seasonal flowers, holiday shoppers, and candles. Call 1-800-991-8779 for details.

Non-Profit In The Spotlight

The Binky Patrol is an all volunteer, national, non-profit organization making and distributing homemade blankets to children born HIV+, drug-addicted, infected with AIDS or other chronic & terminal illnesses, those who are abused, in foster care or experiencing trauma of any kind. Our recipients are from 0-18. A binky is a homemade blanket that can be sewn, knitted, crocheted or quilted. They range in size from 3 feet square up to twin bed size. (Sometimes we get requests for smaller binkies, 2' x 2' for our little Preemie babies, stroller size and our Binky Angels.)  Binkies can be sewn, knitted, crocheted, or quilted. The only requirement is that they are at least 3' square, soft, washable -- all pins removed! and that they come from the heart. We have no set patterns because we have volunteers working with all skill levels and styles. We wouldn't want to hinder your creativity. We have a few patterns downloadable on the site.

Celebrating Home Fundraising - (Home Interiors, H&GP) Easy to sell cookie dough, seasonal soy candles, gift wrap/gift bags, food mixes, and more. Quality products at reasonable prices, generous profits, no money upfront, full-color professional brochures, youth prize program, presorting option, free shipping with low qualifying order, receive brochures within 4 days, product delivery within 9 days. Don't miss the opportunity to discover what Celebrating Home Fundraising can offer your organization. Visit our website to request free information and to learn more. (888-209-0613)  

Why They say That

Blow hot and cold: People who waver in their opinions and quickly change from being enthusiastic to showing disinterest are said to ‘blow hot and cold’. The saying can be traced to one of Aesop’s Fables. It was a cold winter’s day, and the freezing traveler was blowing on his stiff fingers. Mystified, a satyr wanted to know what he was doing. The man explained to him that, with his breath, he was warming his chilled fingers. Taking pity on him, the satyr invited the man to his home for a hot meal. This time, he watched him blowing on the food, which intrigued him all the more. Inquiring why he did so, his guest explained that he was blowing on the stew to cool it down. There and then the satyr told the traveler to leave at once. He was not prepared to entertain, or even mix with, someone who could ‘blow hot and cold from the same mouth’.
 

  BAKE & Co. Fundraising: Serving schools and non-profit groups in 48 states since 1993 with USA-made quality. Choose popular & unique fundraisers, order-taker brochures or bulk case sales. We can custom print your name & logo! Personal service from the owner. Print brochure. 1-800-535-2253

  GoMagnets.com - Becoming increasingly popular over the last few years, car magnets are an excellent vehicle of expression and fund-raising. Car magnets can be customized any way you choose, and are a great way to raise money and promote awareness for your group and unity among your community.