Fundraising is just what it appears
to be - the raising of funds or money. For a non-profit, fund raising is often
the only way to get the money to pay for the facilities and programs that the
group wishes to organize. Fundraising can take many forms, from sales to direct
asking for money to organizing events or lotteries for which people will pay.
Why
is Fundraising Important?
Since non-profit groups are by their
definition groups that do not wish to profit many people wonder why they must
raise money at all. In fact, fundraising is often the only way that non-profits
have of gaining the money needed to rent the space and organize the programs
needed to fulfill the group’s mandate.
Fundraising can help raise awareness
through newspapers or newsletters, it can help a group establish an Internet
site, and it can help people that the group is hoping to help. For example, a
women’s shelter will need money for a shelter space, money for food and board
for abused women, and money for programs such as education and job training for
the women who visit the center.
The costs of even a small women’s
center can be enormous, and fundraising is the way to raise this money. All
simple non-profit groups need some money in order to really do good, and this
is where fundraising comes in.
Why
do I need to learn about Fundraising?
Plenty of people assume that
fundraising is as simple as holding bake sales or some other organizational
activity until enough money is raised. If you only want to raise a small amount
of money, this may be fine, but for many groups this approach is too uncertain
and too limited to be very effective.
If your group will be around for a
while, then you will want to raise money consistently in order to keep your
group going. You will need to learn many things in order to keep enough money
coming consistently:
- How to find enough money to keep your programs going and your group expanding
- How to find ever new sources of money in order to ensure that you have enough consistently
- How to continue to run the group’s programs and fulfill the group’s mandate even while taking the time to fundraise
- How to stay organized and keep group morale and interest high - even after many years of fundraising
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