Jo Lene,

I agree with Melinda, reach out to local restaurants, pet stores and other businesses who are animal friendly to see if they will help with fundraising. We have done several percentage donations with restaurants. They don't bring in a huge amount but every little bit helps. We also do a "round-up" with a local pet store where they will ask all customers if they want to round up their purchase to help our sanctuary. They run the fundraiser for a month. We've also partnered with local service clubs like the American Legion and Moose where they host a fundraising event at their location.  Try reaching out to your local Avon, Tupperware & Pampered Chef reps. They are great at hosting online fundraiser events on social media. Lastly we partner with local high school service groups who do a "wishlist" fundraiser where they collect much needed items for us. 

Thank you all for the ideas I am going to talk to some local restaurants. 

Jo Lene,

I agree with Melinda, reach out to local restaurants, pet stores and other businesses who are animal friendly to see if they will help with fundraising. We have done several percentage donations with restaurants. They don't bring in a huge amount but every little bit helps. We also do a "round-up" with a local pet store where they will ask all customers if they want to round up their purchase to help our sanctuary. They run the fundraiser for a month. We've also partnered with local service clubs like the American Legion and Moose where they host a fundraising event at their location.  Try reaching out to your local Avon, Tupperware & Pampered Chef reps. They are great at hosting online fundraiser events on social media. Lastly we partner with local high school service groups who do a "wishlist" fundraiser where they collect much needed items for us. 

Jo Lene,

I agree with Melinda, reach out to local restaurants, pet stores and other businesses who are animal friendly to see if they will help with fundraising. We have done several percentage donations with restaurants. They don't bring in a huge amount but every little bit helps. We also do a "round-up" with a local pet store where they will ask all customers if they want to round up their purchase to help our sanctuary. They run the fundraiser for a month. We've also partnered with local service clubs like the American Legion and Moose where they host a fundraising event at their location.  Try reaching out to your local Avon, Tupperware & Pampered Chef reps. They are great at hosting online fundraiser events on social media. Lastly we partner with local high school service groups who do a "wishlist" fundraiser where they collect much needed items for us. 

I have done a ton of fundraising. Our most successful money makers are yard sales.  Sales that are held at volunteer's houses usually raise $3000-$5000.  The ones we held at large venues (4-H fairground building) raise $7,000-$12,000.  Its tons of work.  You need lots of volunteers to set up usually starting on Sunday for table set up then receive and price donations Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Sale Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Then you need to find a home for leftover items.  Homeless shelters, goodwill, other non-profit groups that need items for their yard sale. Ask for donations from the public---everyone has treasures to share.  From experience, limit glassware donations and clothing. They sell but usually way too much is donated. You can also have a bake sale at the same time, offer drinks for sale and even hot dogs or walking tacos. If there's lots left over on Saturday, consider fill-a-bag of clothing for $5, reduce pricing on large items, etc.  Be sure to price things accordingly.  Too expensive doesn't sell.  Since it's all donated, whatever it sells for is funding for your group. Keep an eye out for collectibles. Sometimes its better to sell those on Ebay, Mercari, Let-Go etc.  You'll get more money there than a yard sale usually. Advertising the event is key. 

Jo Lene,

I agree with Melinda, reach out to local restaurants, pet stores and other businesses who are animal friendly to see if they will help with fundraising. We have done several percentage donations with restaurants. They don't bring in a huge amount but every little bit helps. We also do a "round-up" with a local pet store where they will ask all customers if they want to round up their purchase to help our sanctuary. They run the fundraiser for a month. We've also partnered with local service clubs like the American Legion and Moose where they host a fundraising event at their location.  Try reaching out to your local Avon, Tupperware & Pampered Chef reps. They are great at hosting online fundraiser events on social media. Lastly we partner with local high school service groups who do a "wishlist" fundraiser where they collect much needed items for us. 

Carol,

That is amazing with your garage sales. We were excited to raise $1800 on our last yard sale. 

I have done a ton of fundraising. Our most successful money makers are yard sales.  Sales that are held at volunteer's houses usually raise $3000-$5000.  The ones we held at large venues (4-H fairground building) raise $7,000-$12,000.  Its tons of work.  You need lots of volunteers to set up usually starting on Sunday for table set up then receive and price donations Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Sale Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Then you need to find a home for leftover items.  Homeless shelters, goodwill, other non-profit groups that need items for their yard sale. Ask for donations from the public---everyone has treasures to share.  From experience, limit glassware donations and clothing. They sell but usually way too much is donated. You can also have a bake sale at the same time, offer drinks for sale and even hot dogs or walking tacos. If there's lots left over on Saturday, consider fill-a-bag of clothing for $5, reduce pricing on large items, etc.  Be sure to price things accordingly.  Too expensive doesn't sell.  Since it's all donated, whatever it sells for is funding for your group. Keep an eye out for collectibles. Sometimes its better to sell those on Ebay, Mercari, Let-Go etc.  You'll get more money there than a yard sale usually. Advertising the event is key. 

Jo Lene,

I agree with Melinda, reach out to local restaurants, pet stores and other businesses who are animal friendly to see if they will help with fundraising. We have done several percentage donations with restaurants. They don't bring in a huge amount but every little bit helps. We also do a "round-up" with a local pet store where they will ask all customers if they want to round up their purchase to help our sanctuary. They run the fundraiser for a month. We've also partnered with local service clubs like the American Legion and Moose where they host a fundraising event at their location.  Try reaching out to your local Avon, Tupperware & Pampered Chef reps. They are great at hosting online fundraiser events on social media. Lastly we partner with local high school service groups who do a "wishlist" fundraiser where they collect much needed items for us. 

I would start by researching these local foundations:  Alexander Mccausland Charitable Foundation, Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, The Mel & Ruth Wolzinger Foundation, and see if your organization is a match for their focus areas.  They all support Animal Welfare programs.    Their websites should tell you how to apply for a grant.  Good luck!

I checked them out, but the links take me to sites that want us to sign up for their "grant services". I don't see any links that I can follow to a grant application. Must be missing something.

I would start by researching these local foundations:  Alexander Mccausland Charitable Foundation, Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, The Mel & Ruth Wolzinger Foundation, and see if your organization is a match for their focus areas.  They all support Animal Welfare programs.    Their websites should tell you how to apply for a grant.  Good luck!

It takes time but be patient and you will learn as you go, that's how most of us figure out what works and what doesn't. 

One really good resource is the Nonprofit Nation podcast. The show discusses sooooo many ways to raise money even if you don't have much, if any, budget.

I can hear you are grappling with the challenges of fundraising in a rural context. It is awesome and courageous of you to ask for help and to desire to expand your efforts to help more pets in need!

All the ideas around social media and local restaurants are great! I would also encourage you to consider starting a monthly recurring donor program. You can use social media and a print/email newsletter to announce it and ask for support. It also helps for all fundraising asks to have specific numbers (I.e., $30/month feeds one shelter pet, or $10/month microchips 4 shelter pets, etc.)

You might want to consider the skills of your staff nd/or volunteers and find ways to engage them with fundraising efforts that empower their best to shine and support the efforts, so it doesn't feel all on you.

Wishing you the best of luck!!!