CREATE A FUNDRAISER

step #35

“A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

MARGARET MEAD
AMERICAN CULTURAL
ANTHROPOLOGIST AND AUTHOR

Speaking of activism, there’s nothing more tried and true than some good old fundraising for a worthy cause. And with your personal passion infused in the effort, what could be more worthy than saving our tropical rainforests? It benefits the entire world. In this step, we provide you with some great tips and inspiration.

THE SCOOP

Rainforest conservation efforts need continual financial support. While making individual financial contributions to these groups is fantastic, a fundraiser involves a community of people and thus makes an even greater impact on spreading awareness and raising money.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Create your very own fundraiser for the rainforest! But be warned, while making the decision is simple, throwing a fundraiser is more complex. Make sure you are up for the task. In terms of size and scale, the possibilities are endless. From a simple bake sale to a community garage sale to a black-tie dinner affair and everything in between, make it a fundraiser that matches your time and energy levels and the amount of help you can enlist from others. But to start, just make a decision to do a fundraiser. That’s it.

Once you’ve made the decision, here’s a list of helpful hints:

• Determine your goal. How much do you want to raise and for what specific purpose?
• Determine which conservation group you wish to support. #43: Make Financial Donations.
• Whatever your goal is, keep in mind that it helps if your fundraiser has an identity. You might be an animal lover who knows many animal lovers. A World Wildlife Fund fundraiser to save orangutan habitat would be a good fit. Or you might be very concerned about human rights issues. Perhaps a Survival International project that helps empower indigenous people to sustainably profit from rainforest resources would suit you. Find something you are truly passionate about and choose an organization to match your interest.
• Once you’ve determined the goal and the organizations you wish to support, let them know! They have loads of experience at fundraising to share with you. They can provide you with information, resources and even ideas for your actual event. Many groups will provide you with invitations and thank-you letters. Make use of what they have to offer.
• Choose your fundraising event appropriately. And while you are at it, make sure it is something you will have fun doing. Brainstorm some ideas—a bake sale at your child’s school; a community or workplace hike-a-thon; a rainforest house party at your home with family, friends and neighbors; a benefit concert; a black-tie dinner— whatever you choose, make sure it will get you to your goal. If you want to raise $5,000, a bake sale may not be your best bet. Weigh the time and financial commitment it will take from you personally and the amount of help from other people it may require. Break it down in terms of cost and compare it to the funds you anticipate raising. Will it get you to your goal? Keep expenses to a minimum in order to maximize the amount of money you raise.
• Select the date, time and location carefully. You can associate the fundraiser to a world event such as Earth Day at the end of April or a United Nations meeting on climate change to give it greater relevance. Make sure it is not too close to a holiday that might affect attendance. Choose a location that is central and easy to access.
• Enlist the help of family and friends. They may have talents or resources that they may be willing to lend or donate. Be bold. Ask for help. Remember, they are helped by helping the cause.
• Get publicity. If it is a smaller-scale event, use e-mail, Facebook, Twitter and Myspace to get out the word. If it is a larger event, see if your local paper or cable channel will give it a write-up. If it is a school event, see if you can get it in the weekly newsletter or have the event posted on the bulletin board. Do whatever you can to ensure success.
• Report back. Take pictures and send a report to the conservation group when you make your total donation. Your success will encourage and inspire others to do the same. Make sure you get names and addresses (or at least e-mail addresses) of all those who attended the event. Report back to them on the success of the event in hitting your goal. If the conservation group you are supporting has an e-newsletter, see if your fundraiser guests would like to receive it. The follow-up is very important.
• Send thank-you notes. Thank all those who help and participate. The organization you support might have stickers, cups or T-shirts as tokens of appreciation.

RESOURCES

Association of Fundraising Professionals
www.afpnet.org

Global Fund for Women
www.globalfundforwomen.org

Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training
www.grassrootsfundraising.org

Foundation Center
www.foundationcenter.org

The Fund Raising School at Indiana University
www.philanthropy.iupui.edu

Visit these free online resources recommended by the Rainforest Action Network for additional helpful information on fundraising:

• Association of Fundraising Professionals
• Global Fund for Women
• Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training
• Foundation Center
• The Fund Raising School at Indiana University