Fundraisers are events meant to raise money or promote awareness for a specific project or cause. Typically, a fundraiser is organized for reasons such as preventing or alleviating poverty, funding research or treatment of a particular disease, or supporting fields such as culture, history, or arts and sciences in a specific community.
Many people are willing to donate to or participate in a person or group’s fundraising efforts. The most effective or successful fundraisers can raise awareness of an ongoing issue. As a result, the group could potentially raise funds not just for one event, but also earn loyal patrons that donate for an extended period of time.
In particular, animal shelters, rescue organizations or preservation groups often raise funds for a number of reasons including, but not limited to:
- Paying for the shelter or group’s operational costs
- Paying for surgical services or vet bills
- Saving an endangered species
- Building housing
- Transporting animals to other areas such as a zoo or a wildlife habitat
- Paying for adoption fees
- Training service animals
International non-profit groups such as the WWF, the Humane Society International, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International rely on donations, sometimes in kind, to keep them going.
Of course, smaller communities and even individuals like you can also put together fundraising events to raise money for your chosen pet charity, shelter or cause.
Fundraising Ideas to Try
Auction management groups such as Go Charity can help make your next fundraising event a success. If you are thinking of ways to raise funds for animal causes in your location, here are a few ideas and suggestions you can try out:
1. Distribute donation jars
You may have seen donation jars or cans bearing the name of the cause, such as the WWF or the Red Cross, at the checkout counters at a supermarket or boutique store. Donation jars or cans provide an easy way to get people to donate money to your cause. To make this work, make sure you place the jar or can in high-traffic areas where people can easily deposit their bills and coins.
Remember to wrap the container with material where the details of your advocacy is clearly printed or put up a sign that explains where the money will go or why you are asking for donations. A lot of people will be willing to donate once they clearly understand what causes they are supporting.
2. Send out letters
Write letters to businesses in your local community. Other than asking for donations, you can write to the companies for sponsorship or help for an upcoming charity event. Perhaps they would be willing to provide food, drinks, or a venue where you can hold the event itself, such as a small café or a restaurant.
Fundraisers are not just about raising funds but also getting help and support from other people or groups in the community. Some companies may not be able to give money, but they can send out their staff to work as volunteers. Others may even donate items or offer services that can be auctioned off during the event.
3. Dog walking
There are two ways you can use dog walking as part of your fundraising efforts.
One is to volunteer to walk other people’s dogs. You can charge money for your services and give your earnings to a local pet charity or animal cause.
Another way is to organize an event around the dog walk, much like a marathon for people. Invite pet owners in your area to join your walkathon with their pets. It is a fun way to raise money and awareness about your cause, as well as encourage fur parents (and their pets) to stay active.
To raise funds, you can charge admission fees to people who want to join in the marathon. You can also make souvenirs or memorabilia such as shirts, leashes, or collars that people can buy at the event. Just don’t forget to provide plenty of water to keep the participants hydrated throughout the race.
4. Hold a sale or an auction
If you have accumulated a lot of items (perhaps at home or through sponsorships), what you can do is to sell them. Charity auctions are a fun and fast-paced way to raise money. With this type of fundraiser, you also get more opportunities to mingle and interact with your patrons and supporters. And by getting items for free from local businesses, much of your efforts will go into building the atmosphere for the event instead.
With years of expertise in organizing auctions and creating memorable charity auction experiences, Go Charity can help set up your event for you. We can create the buzz that will send people flocking to your auction. Our professional staff will provide the items and special experiences that you can auction off as well as manage the event from start to finish so that you can focus more on other aspects of the event.
If you are planning to organize an auction for your selected animal charity or cause, give us a call. We are more than happy to work with you to make your fundraiser a success.
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