Fundraising Intro

[Jules]

just an fyi for the meeting so you have it ahead of time.....
Read and come prepared to start discussions about what we are raising our money for precisely, and how we will relay that to our audience (an event? a letter?)

This is a lot of info, and we need to start slowly and build on small successes. A strong basis of a fundraising program is identifying needs of the organization and the audience of donors and moving solidly towards that goal. Have realistic expectations etc.

All organizations need energy to run. Money is a key component of keeping a business running. Raising that money is an important part of the process and it will help you reach the goals of the business. You don’t just raise money for money’s sake, you need a reason.

• People give money because the business promises to do something important with that donation, something that will make the donor feel good, moral, ethical etc.
• In order to raise money successfully, we have to teach or convince the audience that there is problem or a benefit that needs their attention, time and money.
• We need to let them know that THEY are vital to the success of the AIC solving the problem or increasing the benefit
• We have to show them distinctly how the AIC will use the money wisely.
• The donor needs to feel connected to the outcome, they need to feel they are needed, so AIC has to be prepared to show the donor how we stewarded their gift.
• Don’t plan to raise money first and then “figure it outâ€

[Jules]

Oh, and Miggy has offered to help me, but it would be great to have another person or two on board.
This committee also will hopefully be working closely with finance, marketing and social events.

[acrouch]

Julie, this is fantastic work. Three cheers.