Fundraising proposal

[Chaslie]

Just thought I would share what we are up to in launching our site.

We wish to have a large number of listings present before we officially open our 68 site. To achieve this, we decided to give away 10,000 'Frequent User' memberships and 5,000 'Casual' memberships to a large organisation who are very active in fundraising.

They have huge credibility within our district.

We have suggested thay can sell direct to the public and/or distribute these to other organisations who fundraise for them. These organisations would then sell to their own members and the public with all/most funds going back to the original organisation.

The organisation is 'over the moon' about the possibilites however we are still waiting on confirmation from the organiation's CEO.

We have suggested they sell the memberships for 50% face value - more likely to make a quick sale(s). In addition, those who make a purchase, use the membership and then run out of entries can purchase again from this organisation.

'Casual' membership includes 5 listings and 'Frequent User' membership includes 20 listings - both over 12 months.

For our business, given this is a '100% donation', there are great taxation concessions that can be applied back to our holding company.

Given the initial response, thought I would share this will you all. You may be able to develop the same idea in your local area.

BTW, if the organisation sells all memberships provided at 50% face value, that equals to nearly US$100,000 revenue for the fundraising organisation.

[dawyatt]

That is an excellent idea!

I am a minister and one of my areas of responsibility is missions/outreach. I am always planning fundraisers for various groups, especially the youth group... every year they either sell discount cards which list various business that will off a % discount off if they present the card... they sell candy bars....etc..

Now I may present your idea (or something like it) to see if I can get my site populated faster! Right now the youth are doing car washes, bake sales, etc to raise funds for camp... they don't seem to make too much doing these things so maybe we can help each other out!

Now for me being in the business (well kind of) of fund raising, this never crossed my mind!

Thanks for the GREAT idea!

[calaf6]

Brilliant idea, I will have to remember that for mine,

Let us know how it goes, I for one will be interested in the results.

[Chaslie]

That is an excellent idea!

Happy you like it.

Couple of keys to this offer are:
1. 'Casual' membership includes 5 listings and 'Frequent User' membership includes 20 listings - both over 12 months. Keep the actual number of listings 'low'. If you offer say 50 or 100 listings with eg: 20 featured, 20 bold and 10 highlighted options, most will think "I'll never use all of those". People can relate to 5 listings for $5 (no need to add any options) or 20 listings for $10.

2. Provide the organisation with 'sole distributorship' for a certain period of time. eg: 12 months. This depends on how many memberships you provide. More memberships means more time required.

3. Have the organisation propose a fundraising objective. ie what will the funds be used for? If you are then going to use the media to support your fundraising effect/project, they will be happier to provide you with coverage given the project is seen as a worthwhile community project.

4. Choose your fundraising organisation carefully. This needs to be a complete success! If it isn't, your site will suffer. Your fundraising organisation needs to have plenty of resources behind it such as being very well networked and a household name in your community. Their previous fundraising projects also need to have been well promoted with their target achieved.

[dawyatt]

okay I have a queston?

What do you mean by "by sole distributorship"?

I acually just talk to the youth pastor of my church and he is VERY much interested in this new kind of fundraising idea... he asked when could this be ready!

any hoot... Can a package be set up to only be accessed or acquired by entering a special code at sign up...

To be honest with you I am a little confused by the "user groups" ... how do people become members of a specific group? From what i see, it has to be done in the admin area... but if a package could be setup or designed for the non-profit to sell...

Here is what I am thinking:

• Sell the package for, let say $20... (10 7-day, 1 pic ads, valid for 6 months)
• After receipt of money (if 100% profit goes to group), non-profit presents an access coupon whereas the buyer must use to register and redeem their package... redemption would require a special discount/coupon code...

will this work?

[civ]

Excellent ideas Chaslie - thanks for sharing!

[Chaslie]

What do you mean by "by sole distributorship"?

Means we don't make any 'fundraising' offer to any other individual or organisation during the agreed term - in our case, 12 months.

any how... Can a package be set up to only be accessed or acquired by entering a special code at sign up...

We are presently finetuning the software that will be used to print individual 'coupon numbers' on the coupons that the fundraising organisation will be using. We provide that organisation with the software and they design their own coupons with individual numbering (13 digit numbering - mix of alpha and numerical - case sensative). The numbering is important because it requires that hackers cannot 'guess' another coupon number.

The set of numbers provided are also added to a 68 database table through an install script.

So coupons are sold by the fundraising org (they collect the money), the user registers with us and purchases their membership (the coupon number is used/entered here so no further financial transaction is required) then the user adds their listings using their membership.

We will make this software available to you through 68 Classifieds when it is completed (7-14 days) - all or part of this may become a module.

Sell the package for, let say $20... (10 7-day, 1 pic ads, valid for 6 months)

One of our aims behind this to to get people well used to our site so that when the fundraising organisation has exausted their supply of coupons, those users will remain with us - then purchase from us.

We want their 'experience' to last so our coupons have been developed to be 'generous':

Casual: 5 listings, 365 day duration, all categories except Motor Vehicles, Real Estate & Property and Accommodation, individual listing up to 60 days duration including up to 10 pics/listing = $5 ($1/listing).
- Our normal retail price for this would be $10 if sold at the site.

Frequent User: 20 listings, 365 day duration, all categories except Motor Vehicles, Real Estate & Property and Accommodation, individual listing up to 60 days duration including up to 10 pics/listing = $10 ($.50c/listing)
- Our normal retail price for this would be $20 if sold at the site.

On the face of it, we assume users will perceive these as simple to understand and great value.

[dawyatt]

You are a gem to share your ideas! I definitly would be interested in a new module!

I cannot begin to tell you how much your idea has excited me... Again, me being employed at a non-profit (church), I cannot believe I never thought along these lines!

I am so excited at all the possibilities... Combining my love for non-profits, mission work and now my new business.... It really has got my creative juices flowing!

Looking forward to sharing my success stories and ideas with you all soon!

[Chaslie]

dawyatt,
When these ideas flow, all I can say is, "Praise the Lord"!

[Chaslie]

Just thought I would share what we are up to in launching our site.

We get the 'OK' or 'Not OK' on this offer next week (just to keep those interested informed).

Again, most positive response received again.

The organisation we have targeted is a big hospital who are undergoing accreditation this week. That means all hands on deck and focused on accreditation 'only' this week .... and nothing new.