Fundraising Notes DISCLAIMER: These posts contain hints, tips and ideas from folks that have had some experiences dealing with this. It is NOT meant to be legal advice here - just related experiences. Please consult with a reputable professional if necessary. To: equinerescue@mylist.net From: Pat Calloway Subject: EQ-ResQ: Fundraising/Raffles Date: Wed, 24 Mar 1999 18:26:33 -0700 Passing this info about raffles along sans name and identifying info since the person who gave it to me prefers to be anonymous. > > I'm thinking that maybe each state has their own laws about raffles, also. > They are "technically" not allowed in the state of XX due to the non- > gambling laws, but for non-profits they overlook it (thank goodness!) as we > have raised a lot of money with raffles! Years ago when I looked up the > rules > on raffles/non-profit orgs, it was ok as long as you put "$1.00 donation" on > each ticket, then if someone was mean enough they could ask for a free ticket > ! That way it's still considered a donation, and over here since gambling is > not allowed, we had to call it a "Lucky # Drawing". Since gambling is not > allowed here, we sell alot of tickets! Everyone loves to hope that they > might > "WIN" something for free (or very little cost). This jibes with my recollection of the discussion on the Dog Rescue list. You can do the "donation" on tickets, but if someone's a jerk and says that s/he wants a free ticket, then you gotta give 'em one. So something like this MIGHT be a great way to raise some money for a good cause, but best to check into your state's particular rules on it first. Wonder how/if it would work to offer such a raffle over the 'net? Pat Calloway, Equine Rescue/Creatures Listowner epona@concentric.net (AZ) http://pages.prodigy.com/equinerescue/home.htm http://pages.prodigy.com/equinerescue/creature.htm ============================================================ To: equinerescue@mylist.net From: slyshot@mindspring.com Subject: Re: EQ-ResQ: Display Packages Date: Wed, 24 Mar 1999 21:15:37 -0500 Sender: owner-equinerescue@MyList.net Reply-To: equinerescue@MyList.net, slyshot@mindspring.com >The New Holland >pictures were so graphic that we voted against using part of them at Fair >unless we get a photo album with a written warning of the carnage portrayed >brought on by the killers We use some pretty grisly pictures when we do shows (Horse Expo, Equitana, etc.) and at smaller things too. The response is surprisingly positive. These are displayed on easels at the front of our booth and are hard to miss. The few folks who are turned off by them just rush past, but many, many people, including kids, want to talk to us about them and learn what they can do to help stop abuse. We do balance the grisly with before-and-after pix of the ones who made it, but those nasty pictures have turned out to be a real asset long after the court case is over. Klondike (Cris May) Days End Farm Horse Rescue (MD) http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/6768 ============================================================ To: equinerescue@mylist.net From: slyshot@mindspring.com Subject: EQ-ResQ: Re: Publicity Returns on Investment Date: Wed, 24 Mar 1999 21:37:49 -0500 >... we are lucky of we get a 1% >return from all of the publicity i.e. fylers newsletters,media exposure,etc. >for new members and donations. There are ways to radically increase this return, from the inexpensive to the more expensive. Your org's budget will obviously determine which route you choose (or both). The less expensive way is to avail yourself of free/low cost seminars and workshops on newsletter design, fundraising, marketing and basically anything you come across that you may be able to use to benefit the animals in your care. These are available at HSUS and similar conferences, and you can find them locally by networking with other animal welfare orgs. in your area, or through a group of non-profit organizations if you have one in your state. Also check community college and continuing education listings. The second way to increase your return is to hire a professional fundraiser to teach you how to do it (as opposed to doing it for you). I know this option is something the newer rescues aren't financially ready to jump into, but it bears storing away in your minds for future reference and consideration. It is initially expensive, but the benefits of learning how to tailor your "media" continue long after you've finished paying the consultant. Klondike (Cris May) Days End Farm Horse Rescue (MD) http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/6768 ============================================================ To: equinerescue@mylist.net From: Janis.Comstock-Jones@ecr.net Subject: EQ-ResQ: Raffles over the 'Net Date: 25 Mar 1999 17:57:30 EDT The Link Exchange list had a discussion about having contests and raffles on Web sites, but that was months ago. I'm a bit fuzzy, but I think those "in the know" said disclaimers have to state "void where prohibited" and other things with reference to local laws in any location where people may participate. They also noted that Canada required winners also to answer a question, like a trivia question, so that it's not exactly a game of chance. Comments were also made about making the contest void anywhere you don't know the rules, maybe "valid in the United States only" or "valid in Canada only" or wherever the owners of the contest live. The rule disclaimers on any large contest would probably be good models...say the McD's current Monopoly game. Janis ============================================================ To: equinerescue@mylist.net From: CamMalu@aol.com Subject: EQ-ResQ: The selling of the quilt Date: Thu, 25 Mar 1999 21:27:29 EST Sender: owner-equinerescue@MyList.net Reply-To: equinerescue@MyList.net, CamMalu@aol.com I believe ebay has a special place to put items for charity auctions? They sure get a lot of hits on ebay anyway... Wish I could stop my ebay shopping myself :c( Camilla ============================================================ From: Pat Calloway Subject: EQ-ResQ: Fundraising (was: selling quilt) At 09:27 PM 3/25/99 -0500, CamMalu@aol.com wrote: >I believe ebay has a special place to put items for charity auctions? That's an idea - I know one of my dog lists did a fundraiser that way. I looked on Ebay and there's a link for some charity auction that Rosie O'Donnell is doing for her charity. Link is: http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/4allkids/ I doubt that any equine rescues could get quite that level of publicity though! I did a search with the keyword charity and came up with over 50 hits that way, although some were movie/play titles. Still, if it were publicized on the 'net, then I think that it could be a good way of earning some money for rescues. >They sure get a lot of hits on ebay anyway... Wish I could stop my ebay >shopping myself :c( I have friends (you know who you are!! ) who keep trying to lure me over to the dark side, but so far, I have resisted. BTW, the url is http://www.ebay.com for those that wanna check it out. Pat Calloway, Equine Rescue/Creatures Listowner epona@concentric.net (AZ) http://pages.prodigy.com/equinerescue/home.htm http://pages.prodigy.com/equinerescue/creature.htm ============================================================