Fundraising Q&A

Here’s a few questions (and answers) for you about fundraising…

Why do we need to fundraise?  Fundraising is an essential part of service. Your club will have to have money to do the wonderful service projects it wants to do. Start early and remember no idea is a bad idea. Know your goal and your purpose for the funds you are raising and know your limits. Tell people what service project(s) the funds provide. Make your event unique. Provide a quality service or product so people will remember your club and ask you to participate next time! Be sure to thank those who helped you and patronize the businesses of donors and suppliers.  Then the next time you ask them, they will want to help!

Our club is raising funds through an event open and advertised to people other than our club members. Does this mean all the money we raise has to be used only for our club’s service projects or can we use it for our operating expenses or even to send delegates to District Conference?

Any funds raised from outside the club’s members must be used for Service projects, none can go to club’s operating expenses.

Our club wants to have a raffle. Can the prize be money?
No. Any other prize is acceptable according to Texas laws, just not cash.

For more details go to Texas Attorney General’s website at www.oag.state.tx.us.

Make your fundraising event profitable for your club in more ways than one.  Consider making your fundraising event a way to meet and recruit new Altrusans.  Make it a FUN event, introduce guests to Altrusa and your club members, learn more about your guests and ask if they would be interested in becoming Altrusans. Have club info available and include upcoming events. Be sure to follow up with them to answer any questions they have. Invite them to your meetings and service projects as well and soon you will have more Altrusans in your club!

Make your fundraiser a success.  The more people who know about your club, what you are raising the funds for, the better! Publicize your fundraisers in the local newspaper, local magazines, local radio stations, local cable stations, set up a separate Fundraising Facebook page, other Altrusa clubs.  Get your communications committee to help. Be sure to send your fundraising event dates and info to District Nine so we can also help you get the word out. Email your fundraising event dates and stories (with photos/videos) to me at janelle@apextrading.com and I’ll help get the word out by sharing them with Governor Beth, the District Nine board, past governors and current club presidents. The District Nine Communications Committee is working on YouTube videos, Facebook posts, and helping with local club and district publicity.

Janelle Williamson
Second Vice Governor/Fundraising Committee Chair

Let your voice be heard! Guest blogs are always welcome, so write about an Altrusa topic that is dear to you and send it to Governor Beth at bethelene@tx.rr.com.