Hi Heather. Since you are a government facility, check into your area Planning Commission (you must have one). They usually are pretty good at getting state or federal grant money.  Otherwise, I would start by  taking photos of the areas that need upgrading, so you can show people why you need money. Then start a publicity campaign with area newspapers and TV stations to educate the public.  Set up a special bank account for donations, so people will know their donations will not get spent on soft drinks and chips or raises for the staff.  Start a social-media solicitation campaign (if you don't have a Facebook account, start one).  You can hold special events, too. Hallowe'en is not far off; maybe something connected to that?  

Hi Heather!

How about an on-line auction. I did one back in April for the rescue I volunteer with and I got people to donate new and like new items. I had some businesses donate services (salon donated a facial, massage, gift cards) . I collected 130 items and auctioned them off and raised almost $4700. All the things were donated so it was all profit.

Laurie

------------------------------
Laura Buckland-Fitzberger
Volunteer
UPS
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 08-18-2023 09:39 AM
From: Charlotte Craig
Subject: Fundraising Ideas

Hi Heather. Since you are a government facility, check into your area Planning Commission (you must have one). They usually are pretty good at getting state or federal grant money.  Otherwise, I would start by  taking photos of the areas that need upgrading, so you can show people why you need money. Then start a publicity campaign with area newspapers and TV stations to educate the public.  Set up a special bank account for donations, so people will know their donations will not get spent on soft drinks and chips or raises for the staff.  Start a social-media solicitation campaign (if you don't have a Facebook account, start one).  You can hold special events, too. Hallowe'en is not far off; maybe something connected to that?  

That is wonderful!  Did you use one of those auction platforms, or facebook, or what?  Did you set a minimum value on donated items?  What was the hardest thing about it?
I want to do one.

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Hi Heather!

How about an on-line auction. I did one back in April for the rescue I volunteer with and I got people to donate new and like new items. I had some businesses donate services (salon donated a facial, massage, gift cards) . I collected 130 items and auctioned them off and raised almost $4700. All the things were donated so it was all profit.

Laurie

------------------------------
Laura Buckland-Fitzberger
Volunteer
UPS


Original Message:
Sent: 08-18-2023 09:39 AM
From: Charlotte Craig
Subject: Fundraising Ideas

Hi Heather. Since you are a government facility, check into your area Planning Commission (you must have one). They usually are pretty good at getting state or federal grant money.  Otherwise, I would start by  taking photos of the areas that need upgrading, so you can show people why you need money. Then start a publicity campaign with area newspapers and TV stations to educate the public.  Set up a special bank account for donations, so people will know their donations will not get spent on soft drinks and chips or raises for the staff.  Start a social-media solicitation campaign (if you don't have a Facebook account, start one).  You can hold special events, too. Hallowe'en is not far off; maybe something connected to that?  

Hi Cindy

I created an event on Facebook. Most of the items donated i set the minimum value at $5 or $10...The higher ticketed items were more. For instance i had someone donate their tickets to a pre-season NFL football game so I started that item off at $100. I think the hardest part for me was getting all the items delivered after they were auctioned off.  People wanted me to meet them places or at the shelter and that was 30 miles away. I had a blast doing it though, It was fun taking pictures and loading into Canva and writing up descriptions. I am doing another one in October. I did learn some things and will do some things a little differently like offer shipping so that more people can participate. I hope to get double the items this next time too.  Any other questions you have, just let me know

That is wonderful!  Did you use one of those auction platforms, or facebook, or what?  Did you set a minimum value on donated items?  What was the hardest thing about it?
I want to do one.

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Hi Heather!

How about an on-line auction. I did one back in April for the rescue I volunteer with and I got people to donate new and like new items. I had some businesses donate services (salon donated a facial, massage, gift cards) . I collected 130 items and auctioned them off and raised almost $4700. All the things were donated so it was all profit.

Laurie

------------------------------
Laura Buckland-Fitzberger
Volunteer
UPS

I was thinking to have the donors keep the items and ship them or arrange for pickup.  Do you think that would discourage donations?

On Friday, August 18, 2023 at 06:48:30 PM EDT, Laura Buckland-Fitzberger via Maddie's Pet Forum <mail@maddiesfund.org> wrote:

Hi Cindy I created an event on Facebook. Most of the items donated i set the minimum value at $5 or $10...The higher ticketed items were more.... -posted to the "Animal Welfare Professionals" community

Animal Welfare Professionals Post New Discussion Post New Discussion via Email Manage Profile   Listen to Candid Conversations Podcast Re: Fundraising Ideas Reply to Discussion Reply to Discussion via Email Reply Privately to Author Reply Privately to Author via Email Aug 18, 2023 3:46 PM Laura Buckland-Fitzberger Hi Cindy I created an event on Facebook. Most of the items donated i set the minimum value at $5 or $10...The higher ticketed items were more. For instance i had someone donate their tickets to a pre-season NFL football game so I started that item off at $100. I think the hardest part for me was getting all the items delivered after they were auctioned off.  People wanted me to meet them places or at the shelter and that was 30 miles away. I had a blast doing it though, It was fun taking pictures and loading into Canva and writing up descriptions. I am doing another one in October. I did learn some things and will do some things a little differently like offer shipping so that more people can participate. I hope to get double the items this next time too.  Any other questions you have, just let me know ------------------------------ Laura Buckland-Fitzberger Volunteer ------------------------------   Reply to Discussion   Reply to Discussion via Email   Reply Privately to Author   Reply Privately to Author via Email   View Thread   Like   Forward   Flag as Inappropriate   Original Message: Sent: 08-18-2023 01:55 PM You are receiving this message because you followed the 'Fundraising Ideas' message thread. To unsubscribe from this message thread, go to Unsubscribe. Update your email preferences to choose the types of email you receive Unsubscribe from all participation emails

Hi Cindy

I created an event on Facebook. Most of the items donated i set the minimum value at $5 or $10...The higher ticketed items were more. For instance i had someone donate their tickets to a pre-season NFL football game so I started that item off at $100. I think the hardest part for me was getting all the items delivered after they were auctioned off.  People wanted me to meet them places or at the shelter and that was 30 miles away. I had a blast doing it though, It was fun taking pictures and loading into Canva and writing up descriptions. I am doing another one in October. I did learn some things and will do some things a little differently like offer shipping so that more people can participate. I hope to get double the items this next time too.  Any other questions you have, just let me know

That is wonderful!  Did you use one of those auction platforms, or facebook, or what?  Did you set a minimum value on donated items?  What was the hardest thing about it?
I want to do one.

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Hi Heather!

How about an on-line auction. I did one back in April for the rescue I volunteer with and I got people to donate new and like new items. I had some businesses donate services (salon donated a facial, massage, gift cards) . I collected 130 items and auctioned them off and raised almost $4700. All the things were donated so it was all profit.

Laurie

------------------------------
Laura Buckland-Fitzberger
Volunteer
UPS


Original Message:
Sent: 08-18-2023 09:39 AM
From: Charlotte Craig
Subject: Fundraising Ideas

Hi Heather. Since you are a government facility, check into your area Planning Commission (you must have one). They usually are pretty good at getting state or federal grant money.  Otherwise, I would start by  taking photos of the areas that need upgrading, so you can show people why you need money. Then start a publicity campaign with area newspapers and TV stations to educate the public.  Set up a special bank account for donations, so people will know their donations will not get spent on soft drinks and chips or raises for the staff.  Start a social-media solicitation campaign (if you don't have a Facebook account, start one).  You can hold special events, too. Hallowe'en is not far off; maybe something connected to that?  

You seem to be writing off the idea of grants, but they are relatively less work than fundraisers and possible to get large grants.  In Michigan, the ag dept has grants for shelters.  

I believe that if shelters/rescue would post a "WISH LIST" on their sites that they would see some action here.  Folks can then easily go to Amazon, order, and be done.

You seem to be writing off the idea of grants, but they are relatively less work than fundraisers and possible to get large grants.  In Michigan, the ag dept has grants for shelters.