I also hope you’ve enjoyed the selection of articles on TopSchoolFundraisers. com this month.  There have been some very interesting fundraising-related news items in the last few weeks that I’ve written about.  I’d love to read your comments, so please feel free to drop us a line!

As always, if you are looking for fundraising ideas or great products to raise money for your school, please head on over to FastTrackFundraising.com!  They have an amazing selection of products with proven results.

As I’m sure you know by now, we also have a sister blog, StepByStepFundraising.com.  That site has a broader non-profit focus, but there are some terrific articles that would be helpful to anyone looking to learn more about raising money.  Below, I have posted some links to articles that appreared on StepByStepFundraising this month.  I hope you take a few minutes to check them out!

Thanks, and we’ll see you right back here in December!

From StepByStepFundraising.com:

5 Sure-Fire Ways to Increase Revenue in Your Product Sale Fundraiser

Black Friday – Cyber Monday Sale, by Marc A. Pitman

Getting your Charity Auction Volunteers to Buy-in and Work, by Sherry Truhlar

Got problems getting event volunteers energized to do what is needed to be done?

Volunteers will remain engaged if they believe the solution you are sharing is 1) fun and 2) will solve the problem. When it’s fun to solve the problem, your volunteers will do it…

The Main Difference Between Facebook and Twitter, by John Haydon

How Simple Development Systems Will Create Sustainable Funding, by Pamela Grow

Building a ‘Level Four’ Vision, by Kirsten Bullock

Blogs vs. Facebook for Nonprofits, by Gayle Thorsen

Over the past few months, I’ve helped a couple nonprofit clients who are ready to move into social media decide whether to go with a blog or Facebook. (I’ll talk about Twitter strategies in a future post. It’s kind of a different animal.)

Most approach it as an either/or decision because of their limited staff resources. That’s a real concern. If you truly don’t have the staff time to blog at least once a week or make a Facebook update twice a week, you shouldn’t be considering either medium.

If you do have adequate staff resources, go back to your strategic communications plan to make this decision. You have to start there—with what you want to happen as a result of your communications efforts. (If you need help with strategic communications planning, here’s the first part of my four-part DIY series.)

Want Better Meetings? Know when NOT to meet, by Maureen Carruthers

How Often Should a Board Meet? by Gayle Gifford

The Grant Writing Hall of Shame by Betsy Baker

4 Rock-Solid Ways to Raise More Year-End Money, by Amy Eisenstein

1. Make a list of your top 10 to 50 donors.

Determine whether or not they have given yet this year and at what level.

2. Call them.

If they have not given yet this year, ask for a meeting. In a real time crunch, skip the meeting and talk to them by phone. Thank them for their prior support and tell them how their money was used. Remind them they haven’t given yet this year and ask for a gift in excess of what they gave last year. Have materials to justify your ask, such as you’re serving more clients or you want to start a new program, etc.

If they have already given this year, at prior years’ levels or higher, call and thank them. Let them know how their donation was used. If appropriate (which it sometimes is), ask for more.

Six Critical Things to Look For in a Foundation’s 990 For Successful Grant Funding, by Pamela Grow

As usual, we have a great mix of fundraising advice that is beneficial to all non-profit organizations, including schools.  So, even if you are only involved in your child’s elementary school fundraisers, you should still check out StepByStep.  There’s something for everyone.  And with so many different authors contributing, you’re sure to find a style and perspective that you identify with.

So, here is a list of article links and I’ve included a short excerpt on and few of them.  Enjoy and see you in November!

Insurance for your benefit auction ain’t a bad idea, by Sherry Truhlar

 Last year, a 2010 Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycle was stolen. The bike was painted pink and signed by a number of country music stars, such as Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, and Taylor Swift.

Here’s the kicker: It had been donated to be sold in a benefit auction to benefit the Lexington affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The bike had been stored inside a trailer secured by chains in the organization’s parking lot. When employees returned to the office after the weekend, they noticed it was gone.

Sad.

The bike sounds irreplaceable, but I hope at least they had some insurance.

From my event management days, here are some types of event-specific insurance you can consider as you plan your benefit auction.

Recession-proof Fundraising, by Marc A. Pitman

12 ways Facebook users can like your nonprofit Facebook Page, by John Haydon

Why Don’t They Care? By Kirsten Bullock

Nonprofits: Create “customer pathways” to build loyalty, by Gayle Thorseon

Seven Secrets to Great Nonprofit Leadership, by Pamela Grow

 1. The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers. RALPH NADER

In other words, let your leaders lead.

I worked as part of a five-person development team for a large organization for twelve long months. During that time period three development directors came and went, not to mention program staff, membership staff, the CFO and more.

The problem? A CEO with a brilliant knack for finding and hiring talent … coupled with an utter inability to let loose of the reins and let her people do their jobs.

2. You learn far more from negative leadership than from positive leadership. Because you learn how not to do it. And, therefore, you learn how to do it. NORMAN SCHWARZKOPF

Learn from bad leadership (see above). But don’t forget the lessons learned by observing a genuinely good leader either.

We’ve all heard the horrible board stories, yet how many “good board” stories have you heard?

I had the good fortune to work with one Executive Director who was nothing short of brilliant at putting together a remarkably cohesive board (and this for a tiny nonprofit agency with a yearly budget of $500,000) of remarkably diverse individuals. Every member of that board brought their own unique gifts to the table, whether it was in terms of connections, education, creative thinking or – let’s be blunt here – plenty of money.

4 Poor Excuses for Avoiding Social Media, by Maureen Carruthers

What does your Board Treasurer do? by Gayle Gifford

4 Simple Steps to Asking Individuals for Donations, by Amy Eisenstein

The #1 Thing Keeping You From What You Want

Anticipation for this day had been building as my husband Norm and I both have participated in several races and were eager for Rhodes’ first.  We explained to Rhodes before the race that while he was to run as fast as he could, what was really important was to just have fun and finish the race.  Rhodes had another idea.

As the starter pistol shot rang out, I was holding hands with Rhodes because he was only three at the time and I didn’t want him to get lost in a sea of strangers.  But as we ran, Rhodes began pulling away from me and trying to wriggle out of my grasp.  It was obvious – his eye was on the prize and he was there to win that race.

Leverage Your Alumni for Organizational Development

Some people may just check out one or two of these three sites on a regular basis, but we think all three have sound advice to share.  Hopefully, you’ll take a few minutes to check these other blogs out.

Thank you all for spending your time with us.  As always, if you are ever in search of great ideas for your fundraising needs, please visit FastTrackFundraising.com.  They have a wide selection of proven fundraising products.  You are sure to find just the perfect item (or items!) for your non-profit organization.

Thanks for reading!

Jim Berigan

FundraisingIdeas.org

3 Ways You Can Convince Your Donors Their Money is Well-Spent

7 Ways to Use Your Group’s Alumni More Wisely Part I

7 Ways to Use Your Group’s Alumni More Wisely Part II

4 Inexcusable Non-profit Excuses

2 Ways To Increase Your In-Kind Donations

5 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Board Members

5 Signs It’s Time to Try a New Fundraiser Part I

5 Signs It’s Time to Try a New Fundraiser Part II

Three Tips to Improve Your Non-profit Writing

It’s a Zombie Fundraiser!

A Note about Money Handling & Fiscal Security

A Couple of Things You Can Do During Your Non-profit’s Slow Period

Follow up: Asking Non-profit Employees to Donate

Fundraise Like a College Football Coach

A New Passive Fundraising Option for Non-profits

Step By Step Fundraising

5 Ways to Make Sure Board Members Aren’t Bored, by Amy Eisenstein

Open Letter from a Potential Donor, by Maureen Carruthers

What is 21st Century Fundraising?

Delivering the Goods: Use This Crafty Corporate Marketing Concept to Present Your Auction Gala Gift Bags, by Sherry Truhlar

When a Non-profit Collaboration Just Isn’t Enough…

Fundraising is like a Waldorf Salad, by Marc Pitman

Is Your Non-profit More Deserving of Donations Than Others?

3 Tips for Award-Winning Grants, by Betsy Baker

Nonprofit communications jobs: What to expect, by Gayle Thorsen

You’re not the boss of me – board chairs and CEOs, by Gayle Gifford

Major Gifts – Step-by-Step, by Kirsten Bullock

Embarrassed by a Non-profit. What Would You Do Differently?

I hope you take a few minutes to check out these posts and don’t forget to visit our friends over at FastTrackFundraising for all your fundraising needs!

See you in May!

- Jim Berigan

FundraisingIdeas.org

10 Fundraising Clichés That You Should Avoid

Would You Do Something Absolutely Crazy for Your Non-profit?

Sound Fundraising Advice from 1970s Television

A Creative Way to Get Your Non-profit’s Competitive Juices Flowing

The Value of Non-Board Board Members

The Pressure of Coming up with a Catchy Fundraiser Name

What Do You Have to Think About When Choosing a For-Profit Fundraising Partner

What If You Didn’t Throw a Fundraiser and Everybody Still Came?

Make More of What You’ve Already Got

Two Unusual and Profitable Fundraising Events You May Never Have Heard Of

An Excellent Example of a Non-profit Partnership in Action

4 reasons your staff should donate money to your non-profit first

5 Things You Can Do to Avoid being the Non-profit that Gets Cut from the Family’s Donation Budget

The Advantages of Working for a Non-Profit over a For-Profit

Step By Step Fundraising

A Quiz for Perspective Board Members

6 Ways to Increase Optimism about Fundraising at Your Non-profit

Shrink those floral centerpieces at your benefit auction, by Sherry Truhlar

10 Reasons to Contact Donors Other Than to Ask for Money

Mobile giving: 4 trends nonprofits should consider, by Gayle Thorsen

Is Your Organization Grant Ready? by Betsy Baker

Your nonprofit doesn’t need a blog, by Joanna Miles

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Nonprofit Leadership, by Amy Eisenstein

Surprise! Are You Ready to Fundraise?

Are you overwhelming board members with hidden expectations? By Gayle Gifford

Online Fundraising for Tiny Nonprofits: A Case Study, by Maureen Carruthers

Here are a few links to the articles I liked, but wasn’t able to get to this month.

Enjoy!

- Jim Berigan

FundraisingIdeas.org

Sooner Jr. reopens tonight with free mini golf

Teen club is collecting donations for nonprofit

Players Tournament seeks to double fundraising

Wine, women and shoes are a perfect fit at this kickin’ event on May 5

Raising Money to Build a Better Mousetrap

StepbyStepFundraising.com

5 Ways to Make Sure Board Members Aren’t Bored by Amy Eisenstein

Add Some Polish to an Existing Grant Proposal by Betsy Baker

The Wisdom of the Old Spice Man by Joanna Miles

Social Media Success Series: 7 Tips for Creating Viral Content by Maureen Carruthers

Three ways to pamper the 40+ crowd at your silent auction by Sherry Truhlar

Here are a few links to the articles I liked, but wasn’t able to get to this month.

Enjoy!

- Jim Berigan

A Low-Key Family Event = Way to Recruit Volunteers From the PTO Today Blog

Asking for Money – Thoughts on Elementary School Fundraising From the BelieveJay Blog

Would You Like to Make More Money at Your Next School Carnival? From Everybodyhatesfundraising.com

$4,428 in ‘Tips’ at Don Jose’s Mexican Restaurant Goes to CV Schools From the Castro Valley Patch

Chance to put your own stamp on carnival fun From the Cambridge-News UK

I hope you take a few minutes to check out these posts and don’t forget to visit our friends over at FastTrackFundraising for all your fundraising needs!

See you in April!

- Jim Berigan

Fundraising Ideas

What Does a Good Fundraiser Look Like?

Even If You’re a Small Non-Profit, Do Things Right

Is Your Non-profit’s Brand Good, Bad, or Ugly?

3 Things to Remember about Fundraising When Gas Prices Skyrocket

5 Fundraising Take-Aways from Last Night’s Celebrity Apprentice

10 Examples of Bad Behavior from Board Members- Part I

10 Examples of Bad Behavior from Board Members- Part II

10 Examples of Good Behavior from Board Members

How to Guard Against Being Let Down by a Volunteer

How a Non-profit Can Make You Feel Like Family

What Did You Learn from Last Year?

Could Your Non-profit Set a World Record?

Big Fundraiser vs. Little Fundraiser

Replicating St. Baldrick’s Success with a Small Non-profit

Do You Have an Elevator Pitch for Your Non-Profit?

People STILL Don’t Get It. Kids Should NOT be Selling Things Door-to-Door!

Step By Step Fundraising

Dare to Dream, By Maureen Carruthers

How to get publicity for your benefit auction: Use auction games and raffles. By Sherry Truhlar

Guest Post: If fundraising is a profession, why are we so angry with our amateur board members? By Gayle Gifford

Interview with Director Of Golf at Treetops Resort, Gaylord, Michigan

Cultivate new supporters fast: A five-week “on-boarding” plan for nonprofits, By Gayle Thorsen

How to Hire a Fantastic Development Director by Amy Eisenstein

Benefit auction ideas: The “correct” way to thank donors by Sherry Truhlar

1 Suggestion to Save Money in Print Advertising

5 Steps to Begin Your Grant Consulting Career, by Betsy Baker

Don’t Make These Fundraising Mistakes, by Sandra Sims

Working with Nonprofits, on Both Sides of the Fence, by Joanna Miles

This is one of the most important fundraisers of the year for the cash strapped school and several mothers worked very hard to organize a fun and hopefully successful event. In the middle of the live auction portion of the evening, three fathers, rather than bidding on front row seating privileges for the upcoming 5th grade graduation, disrupted the auction by nearly coming to blows in an unbelievable display of immaturity.

Profanities were exchanged, aggressive postures were adopted against each other, the auction was halted for nearly 20 minutes, the Concord police were called in and the mood of the evening was certainly permanently changed. The focus of the evening was supposed to be on the kids and instead these adults were acting more like playground bullies. Worst of all, it really seemed to impact the success of the auction as bidding after this disruption was significantly lower than in prior years.

I have been involved with fundraising for many years. I have been at events that have served alcohol. The argument has always been: the more someone has to drink, the more he or she will spend at your event.

I have to wonder if this is really the best way to approach a non-profit fundraiser for children.

I’ll preface this by saying, I don’t have any religious problem with consuming alcohol, so please know that this is not underpinning any of my arguments.

Basically, here’s what I think- You and your volunteers work really hard to put on a high quality fundraiser. You spend hours thinking of every possible thing that could go wrong and you come up with contingency plans. The stakes are very high. You need to hit your dollar goal for the school.

With so much on the line and with so much hard work put in by your volunteers, why would you introduce a wild card, such as alcohol? Things can quickly get out of control when alcohol is involved. (Just read the article above…)  I’ve seen it many times, myself, even in non-profit environments. Sure, most times, there isn’t going to be a problem, but there is enough of a chance where I’d say, “let’s not go down that road”.

Another thing: alcoholism is a terrible disease. Kids who have alcoholic parents suffer greatly for years in such a life. As a non-profit organization that serves young people, why would you want to potentially put their parents in a tempting situation where they could embarrass themselves, embarrass their children, or even worse, leave the auction in a drunken state, behind the wheel of their car?

Someone could wind up dead as a result of your auction. I know that car accidents can happen anytime, but when someone drinks and drives the chances for devastation greatly increase. Do you want that to come back on your school, just because the bids might be a little higher at your auction?

Lastly, when I was a younger man, I worked as a bartender and as a waiter in a restaurant that served alcohol. We were trained on how to handle people who got out of control after too many drinks. Additionally, if it got really bad, we had staff who could handle an ugly situation.

Is your non-profit volunteer staff ready to break up a drunken fight? Are they ready to take the keys away from someone who just seems a little tipsy? Can they make that judgment? Should they even have to?

Again, I’m not attacking alcohol as something evil, until itself. In the right situation, alcohol is fine. The point I’m trying to make is that when schools and fundraisers come together, alcohol in any form should be absent.

Photo by: tr8_traitdesigns

Here are a few links to the articles I liked, but wasn’t able to get to this month.

Enjoy!

- Jim Berigan

Are You Smarter?’ is theme for school fundraiser
Wilton Villager

LYME REGIS: Primary school hosts giant fundraising sleepover
View Online

Q & A with Debora McCarty: Mom finds PTO so much more than fundraising
Florida Times-Union

Westside Elementary School announces fundraiser in partnership with Soles4souls
Cedartown Standard

Mt. Zion schools fundraiser will go retro ’70s
Herald & Review

I hope you take a few minutes to check out these posts and don’t forget to visit our friends over at FastTrackFundraising for all your fundraising needs!

See you in March!

- Jim Berigan

Fundraising Ideas

Mass Email Fail

Learning From the Best

5 Sure-Fire Ways to Increase Revenue in Your Product Sale

How a Fresh Coat of Paint Can Raise Money

A Healthy, Unique, Profitable, and Really Fun Fundraising Idea

What is a Matching Grant & Why Do I Want One?

Raising Money in Traffic is a Really Dangerous Idea

Can Your Non-profit Think Really, Really Big?

“(Cow) Poop for a Cure”

“Puke for a Cure!”

Have You Ever Considered How Much It Costs to Raise Money?

How Should Non-profits Communicate with Business Sponsors?

Are Your Non-profit Funds Secure? Are you certain?

FastTrack Fundraising: Committed to Customer Service

Step by Step Fundraising

Guest Post: Should we have a large board? By Marc Pitman

Did I Really Write That? A Facebook Faux Pas…

Plagiarizing for a Cure. A Defense of the Komen Foundation.

What Does Your Outgoing Voicemail Message Say About Your Nonprofit?

Speed Dating to Find New Board Members?

Guest Post: “How to Identify Donors for Your Cause” by Amy Eisenstein

Big News! Your Faithful Blogger Has Invented a New Non-profit Word! Huzzah!

What Should a Volunteer Policy Look Like in 2011? Part I

What Should a Volunteer Policy Look Like in 2011? Part II

Out with the Trash? How to Live with Past Employees

Long Live the Mighty Product Sale Fundraiser!