[Nfbf-l] last chapters fundraising conference call

[Gina Minichiello]

I took some notes off the last conference call, so you can see what you missed. We had several people on the call giving out some very useful information. 


Chapters Fundraising Conference Call 
November 18, 2009

Present:
Gina Minichiello – Fundraising Chairperson
Larry Marten – Jacksonville
Andy Rood - Jacksonville 
Craig Kiser – Orlando
David Evans - Palm Beach
Janice Breedlove – Pinellas
Mike Lamb – Pinellas 
Mark Tardif – Martin County

Questions
How do we get people motivated to participate in fundraisers? 
Show how the money will benefit them. 
Pair less experienced fundraisers up with those that have more experience.
Only 10% of people in organizations do the majority of the work.
Don’t give people a choice. Example: Hand out tickets to everyone to sell and hope the ones that don’t sell will at least try to sell a few. Let people know how the money is being spent will help sell your fundraiser. 

Are people who participate given consideration over those who don’t?  
Yes, and then next consider those that have potential. 

What are good types of fundraiser for small chapters with not much money? Have fundraisers where there are more people. For example, a mall, church, etc.
 Get involved with other groups that will help support your fundraisers. 

Our there requirements to hold raffles?
The Florida affiliate is registered with the Department of Agriculture and has a permit to solicit. The permit number is rarely needed, but you can contact the state treasurer for the permit number. If you are requesting donations, you may be asked for your 501(c)(3) letter. Draft a letter on NFB letterhead about your event and/or donation request. Be sure to include a brief description of the NFB and what we do. You can take this to retailers and mail to corporate offices. 
Follow up is a must. Your request may be sitting on someone’s desk in a pile of other requests. 

Selling tips.
 Show a genuine interest and passion for what you are trying to sell, or promoting the NFB. Attitude is everything. You must have knowledge of what you are selling and why you are selling it. If you don’t believe in your product, it won’t sell. Leaders need to find the people that have passion to sell. Everyone’s talents are different. 
 Some people can sell one product easier than another. Sell products that sell themselves. 

Chapter fundraisers

Mike Lamb – Village Inn Pie Coupons
Village Inn gives chapter coupons. No money invested. 
Pinellas Chapter does this year round. Chapters receive a percentage of sales that increases depending on the number of coupons sold. 
Holidays are a good time to sell these. Coupons sell for $10 

Gina Minichiello – Cookie dough fundraiser
No investment. Chapters receive order forms for cookie dough, pizza and other products. Collect money and orders up front. Company delivers to chapter with 100 or more sold. The average price $10-$12. You will need drivers to deliver. This is good before the holidays.  

Entertainment Coupons Books
No money up front. There are incentives for volume sales. You can sell these online and get credit. Not a good fundraiser for smaller cities. 
There are other types of coupon books fundraisers out there, such as restaurant coupon books. Tell people to keep the book with them or leave it in their car, or it is less likely they will use it. 


David Evans – Hot Dog Wagon at Wal Mart
Sell hot dogs, chips and a drink. You can bring coffee and doughnuts for the early hours to sell. Pick a good day when everyone is shopping. 
Black Friday is an excellent choice. Have an NFB table set up by the wagon with a donation jar. 


David Evans – M&M Fundraiser
You can get promotional M&Ms with the NFB logo on them and a message on the bags that you sell. Can be a nice addition to Meet the Blind month. 


Mike Lamb – Meet the Blind Month picnic
A few retailers donated food or gift cards. Raffles were held at the picnic. 
Volunteers cook hamburgers and hot dogs. The cost was $5 per person. 
Had contacts where all food was donated. Attendance was just over 100 and expecting more each year. 

Mike Lamb – Trade Winds Hotel Weekend Raffle 
Chapter member had an in to the hotel. A hotel weekend was obtained. 

David Evans – Free Car Wash 
Hand out advertising fliers at the car wash.
Go to small business with a letter describing the event. Ask for $20 and a business card, or $40 and a coupon for the store with an expiration date. 
Guarantee a minimum amount of fliers to be printed. 
Make sure businesses that donate get a copy of the flier. 
Boy scouts volunteer to wash cars. 

Craig Kiser – Kilimanjaro Climb, incentive for NFB
The climb will benefit Blind Services Foundation
Seeking pledges 1 cent per foot. The climb is 19000 feet. 
Offering chapters 10% of pledge monies collected. 
Craig has fliers and pledge cards. sckiser55 at earthlink.net
There is no pledge minimum. 


Gina Minichiello - Planned giving was discussed. 
Our affiliate purchased the Martindale-Hubbell attorney list. We edited the original brochure, and sent it out to 2100 will and estate planner attorneys in Florida.  The list we offered to other affiliates to defray some of our cost. The brochure was available for other affiliates for purchase. 

Attracting people to information tables. 
Dolphin bottle openers found at flea market. Very good fundraiser. 
Bowl of candy
Nice signs 
Balloons for the kids 

David Evans – bowl-a-thon
Need 4-6 months prep time. 
You can embellish the event with advertising and door prizes. 
Work out discount with bowling alley. 
Rent the alleys for about 2 hours.
Potential to raise several thousand. 
Invite media to participate in bowl-a-thon. They can compete against each other as teams. David will send out an email on bowl-a-thons. 



Gina Minichiello
NFBF Board Member
NFBF Fundraising Committee Chairperson
Greater Jacksonville Chapter, Treasurer
minichiellog at comcast.net
904-571-9117