tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24320210878522057482024-03-13T12:37:16.585-07:00BW UNLIMITEDbwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.comBlogger293125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-57338941322605897262021-12-27T09:22:00.004-08:002021-12-27T09:22:33.944-08:00What is "Broken Spoke Fundraising"? - George Wooden, BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-ghYxiUOjI6s7hpLR9gwAOA4W1tYeyvMbllZpGFVws_p0e54g3ifWMfyyrPQF-pviI6hV_jCCW1r8_VpclWxDKT9AtRoVTA3J8ot1w1Lkl-lrnsrKYpK6WVnguaXyObi1PNiLE6Cl1qIDuu2OcxkAg6KDmFNwfirCQvJjbr8sE1UNe5icE57MWhiVAQ=s600" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="600" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-ghYxiUOjI6s7hpLR9gwAOA4W1tYeyvMbllZpGFVws_p0e54g3ifWMfyyrPQF-pviI6hV_jCCW1r8_VpclWxDKT9AtRoVTA3J8ot1w1Lkl-lrnsrKYpK6WVnguaXyObi1PNiLE6Cl1qIDuu2OcxkAg6KDmFNwfirCQvJjbr8sE1UNe5icE57MWhiVAQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Years and
years ago, as our country grew, people began settling in various locations
across this great country of ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As these
locations grew, so did the need to build towns, cities and states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Construction was a booming business and as
time went by, new innovative building techniques arose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Small houses changed to sky scrapers,
outhouses changed to indoor plumbing and it goes on and on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Today,
technology changes daily and what was innovative today, tomorrow will be
outdated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Building techniques and
requirements now demand precision and laws around it have turned into Rules and
Regulations in regard to Building Codes and permits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When
pagers were the new hot item with a car phone in a bag for your car, has now turned
into everyone carrying a computer the size of a small card in their pockets –
everything worldwide is right at our fingertips.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">However,
the same is not true in the charity fundraising world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many charities or non-profits have not kept
up with the times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They still operate decades
behind with outdated information and the reason is, there is no set of rules
other than what the IRS publishes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
is no source of information that charities can go to in order to learn what’s
new and innovative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There isn’t a Rule
Book or Standard Charity Code.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is
nothing for a charity to go to other than the tried and true “Error of our ways”
or studying and learning from our mistakes.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is
a common term which I use quite frequently called “Broken Spoke”
fundraising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does this mean?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, it’s when a charity copies or
duplicates another charity’s fundraising event without knowing if the
fundraiser they are copying was successful or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They then repeat it but miss something the
other charity did (a broken spoke) and their event fails or the result is even
less successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But yet, they will not
go back and study it to see where they went wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In my
area of expertise, Fundraising, successful methods change day to day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus doing it day in and day out, while
speaking to my counterparts across the country teaches me and our staff on what’s
“Hot” and what’s not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Making a thousand
mistakes but studying them and adopting new tactics and techniques offers our
clients the ability to be at the forefront of a successful fundraising wave.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As an
example, I recently met with a charity who has a large group of supporters is
planning a fundraiser in the coming months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I asked them what their “Net Profits” were, it was dismally low –
nearly not worth even doing the fundraiser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being inquisitive, I asked them what they were doing at the event to
raise money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is when they described
1970’s fundraising methods which are so outdated and ran into the ground plus
it costs them 50% of the funds they are raising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why you ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because they simply do not know any better.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In reality,
charities are made up of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
people are not fundraisers and live a full-time life, have a full-time job,
with full time commitments and a full-time family – however at least once a
year, they are asked to fundraise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
fundraising is simply the single most important aspect a charity must do outside
of their missions, they appoint someone with no fundraising background to hold the
single most important aspect function of their charity.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The other
issue which is prominent still, which is one of those “Old Rules” or a charity myth
that can easily be dispelled is that everything must be “FREE.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The evidence of success is all around them
with large scale, multimillion-dollar fundraisers happening frequently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, they refuse to follow those
successful tactics.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Along
with the “Free” approach, many charities believe that being 100% volunteer is a
badge of honor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, what they fail
to understand is that in order to grow, you must have a full-time staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a full-time staff who are salaried, you
are able to attract the best and brightest who can take your charity to new
heights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What’s
the moral to this story – you must change with the times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must follow techniques and tactics that
other much more successful charities are doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You must know what “Success” is and acknowledge what “failure” also
is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must be your very worst critic
in order to grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learn from your
mistakes, talk to professionals who know the correct paths you need to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You must
learn from success; you must learn from your mistakes and your must want to get
better while attracting the people who can help you make that happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If not,
you know the old saying “The definition of insanity is repeating the same thing
over and over but expecting different results.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s simply up to you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you
would like more information or if I can help you in any way, please contact us
at <a href="http://www.BWUnlimited.com">www.BWUnlimited.com</a> or call me directly
at 443.206.6121.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would love to help
you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><br /><p></p>bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-13592706743412758372021-08-14T09:41:00.001-07:002021-08-14T09:45:53.773-07:00Your Fundraising Well will run dry if you don't heed this warning!!!<p><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oAWyoYr1RxM/YRfSp8I8fdI/AAAAAAAAnzo/xbbpTdj_HvwFD30VG4tJq5dM62WoeHA6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s612/istockphoto-524997189-612x612.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="612" height="173" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oAWyoYr1RxM/YRfSp8I8fdI/AAAAAAAAnzo/xbbpTdj_HvwFD30VG4tJq5dM62WoeHA6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/istockphoto-524997189-612x612.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ve seen
it time and time again. I’ve warned
them, shouted it from the rooftops and watched as the stream of money from the
fundraising well slowed to a trickle then stopped – the well ran dry. I've watched as my clients continue to ask
for money even after they hosted a highly successful fundraiser. They believe that people will continue to
give. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before I
begin, let me ask you a simple question:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKVg4pBjBmY/YRfTEQyG2qI/AAAAAAAAnz4/3csBqxWyHQkTPWhFU17I1zzmGeSTQ6CggCLcBGAsYHQ/s700/hand-up-not-hand-out1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="700" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKVg4pBjBmY/YRfTEQyG2qI/AAAAAAAAnz4/3csBqxWyHQkTPWhFU17I1zzmGeSTQ6CggCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/hand-up-not-hand-out1.jpg" width="320" /></a></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lets say
a friend asked to borrow $20.00, you give it to them because you want to help
them. A week or so goes by and the
friend returns asking for another $20.00.
You oblige them yet again. The
following week or so, they come back and ask again. Are you going to give it to them? Are you going to ask what they are doing with
your money? What will you do? I can guarantee you won’t give it to them
this time around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Everyone
in the world would do the same – BUT – why don’t charities think like
this? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">--------------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZWyNqr1LkI/YRfSwraqS-I/AAAAAAAAnzs/w5KpZtZiFmkOdutqbXncXDwCnEOIrt1bACLcBGAsYHQ/s612/istockphoto-174678774-612x612.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="612" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZWyNqr1LkI/YRfSwraqS-I/AAAAAAAAnzs/w5KpZtZiFmkOdutqbXncXDwCnEOIrt1bACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/istockphoto-174678774-612x612.jpg" width="320" /></a></b>Just as
if you are getting water from a well and not giving it enough time to replenish
itself, the same holds true with fundraising.
The more you ask for money and the more fundraisers you host, soon your
well will run dry.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">First you
must understand that people are getting absolutely “BOMBARDED” by charities,
not just yours, asking for money. As it
seems, everywhere you go charities are asking you donate to them. Some have huge budgets so they can spend an enormous
amount of money trying to raise money.
But unfortunately, that’s not you or your charity. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ve seen
clients and friends go to the fundraising well over and over again. I’ve told them, I’ve warned them “Only host a
few fundraisers a year – host an “A” event and a “B” event and that’s it” – but
they don’t listen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What
happens is their ego gets pumped up and they begin to think that every time
they host a fundraiser, it’s going to be successful…they are wrong. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The more
you ask, the less you will get. It will
become harder and harder to raise money.
More is not better, it’s less.
Charities or organizations should invest their time wisely in one or two
major fundraisers then leave it sit. Put
all your energy into raising as much money as possible with those events. But by all means, DO NOT continue to go to
the fundraising well over and over and over again. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">People
will get tired of you and your charity asking for money, in fact, you will inevitably
push them away from you because you’re always trying to reach into their pockets.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">---------------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My best
advice I can give you is that you do not let your ego get in the way – think clearly
and remember how you would react if someone or a charity came to you over and
over again asking for money. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Continue
to go to the well, soon it will run dry…then you only can blame yourself if
your fundraising well runs dry.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BW
Unlimited Charity Fundraising is a North American Charity Fundraising leader in
a convenient “One Stop Shop” setting. Contact
us at <a href="http://www.BWUnlimited.com">www.BWUnlimited.com</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-52065704102439572062021-05-24T09:43:00.004-07:002021-05-24T09:46:31.102-07:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FW-9Q_yb0Vk/YKvXLuenUQI/AAAAAAAAnwc/bEEFl_VszEkcorhDkn6VhagNakcQc3pyACLcBGAsYHQ/s453/free.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="453" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FW-9Q_yb0Vk/YKvXLuenUQI/AAAAAAAAnwc/bEEFl_VszEkcorhDkn6VhagNakcQc3pyACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/free.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">With every single fundraising event which has tickets
to attend, the same question pops up time and time again - should you “Comp” or
give someone free tickets to attend?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
“Myth vs. Facts” blog hopefully will answer your questions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Here are a few things for you to consider when contemplating
“Comping” tickets:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#1 – There is really no such thing as “Free Tickets” –
Someone somewhere will actually be paying for those free tickets. If you have costs with your event, those
costs will have to be covered. Normally,
the costs are covered by ticket sales. However,
if you are giving away tickets, who is going to pay for the tickets you gave
away?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#2 – Free Tickets to someone who donates an item or
items – You may ask someone for a donation of an item or items for you auction
or raffles. As an example – the price of
your ticket is $75.00 per person with your actual cost (which you have to pay
out for food etc.) is $50.00. The donor will
give you and item which “Retails” for $150.00 and requests 2 free tickets. So in this instance, it appears that you will
be profiting $50.00. Since you can not
control what an item sells for in an auction, you place the item in your
auction and it only sells for $75.00 instead of $150.00…you just lost
$25.00. This is what is referred to as
an “In Kind” donation – someone gives you something and “In Kind” you give them
something. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#3 – “No Skin in the Game” – When people pay for
tickets, they will attend your event because they spent money. However, if you give someone free tickets,
they have nothing invested so there is really nothing promising they will
attend. The day of your event, something
comes up, they may not attend since they spent nothing on the tickets. You are then left with paying for the spots
and also empty seats. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#4 – They will spend money at the event to cover the
cost of the free tickets – There is absolutely no proof this will or does occur,
this is a Myth. Consider this – if you
need to give someone free tickets to attend, should you have them at your event
in the first place? If they wanted to
come and support you, they would most definitely buy tickets. But they need free tickets to show their
support such as politicians, athletes and celebrities…or simply people you
know. You can ask them to spend money
there but you can’t force them. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#5 – Is taking people to a party a part of the mission
of your charity? – This is a common practice in certain arenas to give away
free tickets to the people who a charities mission involves. For instance, I (George Wooden) am a US Marine
Corps Veteran and a retired Police Officer.
Charities who serve veterans and first responders normally help with
mental health, medical needs, doctor bills etc., but their mission is not to
take these heroes to a party. If a charity who helps either veterans or first
responders gives away free tickets to them to attend a fundraiser, even if
someone else buys tickets to give to them, would it not be a better practice to
use that donated money for the mission of the charity to help them and sell
those tickets to supporters who will donate to help raise more money?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Remember, think of your mission first and why you are
hosting a fundraiser. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aren’t you trying
to raise money?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, there is no such
thing as a free ticket – someone will have to pay for that person to attend and
more times than not, it’s your charity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’re far better off raising money to fund the mission of your
charity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.bwunlimited.com/ABOUT-BWunlimited.html">BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising</a> is a North American charity
fundraising leader in a convenient “One Shop” setting. We help charities like yours all across the
country host highly profitable fundraisers from coast to coast. If we can help you, contact us at 443.206.6121
or go to our website at <a href="http://www.BWUnlimited.com">www.BWUnlimited.com</a>.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><br />bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-87613814247820843642021-05-06T15:58:00.002-07:002021-05-06T15:58:19.632-07:00Common Mistake: How big is your fundraising cake?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZjll4PiYCY/YJR0MGEJH5I/AAAAAAAAnuk/jfPStSh3dnUsjc-mh-Cd9-8d_gzoR6jSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s967/Mini-Cupcakes-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="967" height="183" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZjll4PiYCY/YJR0MGEJH5I/AAAAAAAAnuk/jfPStSh3dnUsjc-mh-Cd9-8d_gzoR6jSwCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h183/Mini-Cupcakes-04.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A common
mistake most people planning a charity fundraiser make is not understanding the
need and definite positive impact a professional fundraiser will have on the
amount of money they raise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In fact,
commonly, they will think to themselves or friends/family will say “Why would
we pay that? We don’t want to give them
a portion of what we make” as if they are talking about a cake. They believe that if they plan and host their
own fundraiser, it will be the same size and make just as much as if they had professional
help. Think of it as if they are talking
about a cake. They believe that they
will be have to give a section of their cake away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">However,
what they fail to realize is how big is the cake they are believing they
have? Without the help of a professional
fundraiser or auctioneer, their cake is small like a tiny cupcake. They believe they will have to give a section
of that away. That then will leave less
for them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But in
reality, when they hire or have the assistance of a professional fundraiser or
auctioneer, the cake grows dramatically.
So much so that the original cake or cupcake is merely a crumb in
comparison. With the growth of the cake
or the amount of fundraising dollars, paying the professional fundraiser makes
sense because the goal is to raise as much money as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ueEcoThD-U8/YJR0XJy3g1I/AAAAAAAAnuo/7u1I3ShJ-Ngz0bsqJBG0uEAB6BG0NDIygCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/pri_52372571-e1505135934900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1303" data-original-width="2048" height="255" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ueEcoThD-U8/YJR0XJy3g1I/AAAAAAAAnuo/7u1I3ShJ-Ngz0bsqJBG0uEAB6BG0NDIygCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h255/pri_52372571-e1505135934900.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div><b><br /><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
mistake they commonly forget is that they are living a full-time life, with a
full time job, with a full time family and full time commitments – then they
are asked to be fundraisers without a clue how to truly fundraise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The time
commitment alone is daunting then getting everything together will exhaust anyone. Plus locating the correct venue to host it in
is vitally important as well. Are you
prepared to work full time in order to be successful? If not, why are you doing it then? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Of
course, anyone can fundraise just like anyone can dance – but thinking the way
that these potential fundraisers do…are they Prima Ballerinas? No not at all. They don’t realize successful fundraising is
extremely strategic, deals with psychology coupled with event planning. A professional fundraiser or charity auctioneer
must keep track of fundraising trends and techniques which are changing
rapidly. They must understand the flow
of the venue they are hosting their event in.
Where and how to set up the event in order to be effective. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This has
happened to us on many occasions – people will attend one of our events while
videoing our Live and Silent Auction along with the raffles. True, anyone can put items out on a table and
sell them. But do they understand why
those items are there as opposed to somewhere else? Why are they set up that way, what is the
goal of the fundraising platform they are set up in or at. There are hundreds of small fundraising cogs
moving in perfect harmony to make the final event a success.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So the
next time you think “Why would I want to give him or her a piece of our
fundraising cake” ask yourself… “How big is your cake” – is it a cupcake or a massive
sheet cake?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://www.bwunlimited.com">BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising</a> is a North American charity fundraising leader in
a convenient “One Stop Shop” setting. We
specialize in making our clients lives easier by planning it, managing their
committees and hosting an event like no one has ever seen before that will
raise more money than they could ever expect.
Contact us today at 443.206.6121.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p></p>bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-85192339707243138232021-01-21T11:15:00.001-08:002021-01-21T11:24:15.470-08:00Rethinking Your Fundraising Events in 2021: A Crash Course<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kFLmizeoe4I/YAnQ-OaOgRI/AAAAAAAAnow/zrDR8dciu6w6MfkZDLL1BqzDFzwz9rEnACLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/rethinking-your-fundraising-events-in-20213-IG.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="260" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kFLmizeoe4I/YAnQ-OaOgRI/AAAAAAAAnow/zrDR8dciu6w6MfkZDLL1BqzDFzwz9rEnACLcBGAsYHQ/w260-h260/rethinking-your-fundraising-events-in-20213-IG.png" width="260" /></a></div><br />COVID-19 has changed so many aspects of our lives – including how we fundraise. Tried and true methods of raising money and reaching donors have to be reimagined for this new, virtual world. Nonetheless, your mission remains the same (and important as ever).<p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-eb0f1e62-7fff-1ac8-4a81-239eed3534e5"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The good news? You can reach your donors and your fundraising goals with virtual fundraising events.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maybe your nonprofit hasn’t tapped into the power of </span><a href="https://www.onecause.com/solutions/virtual-fundraising-software/virtual-streaming-events/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">virtual fundraising events</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Or maybe you have but you’re looking for fresh, innovative ideas. Either way, we’re here to help!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Successful virtual fundraising events come in many shapes and sizes – and their flexibility enables nonprofits to customize and launch virtual events that fit their unique needs. You know your donor base best, so use this guide to find the virtual mold that fits your mission and community best. And then let the virtual fundraising begin!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We’ll cover the key steps to rethinking your fundraising events in 2021: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Understand the range of virtual fundraising events</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Update your event goals</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Review your nonprofit’s toolkit</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make sure your audience is on board</span></p></li></ol><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A24rEqFKvt0/YAnRRGxqpPI/AAAAAAAAno4/O8Ts6iqmAk4e4yc5YliE-vuWpTBjGKX2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1140/1-understand-the-range-of-virtual-fundraising-events.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="1140" height="82" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A24rEqFKvt0/YAnRRGxqpPI/AAAAAAAAno4/O8Ts6iqmAk4e4yc5YliE-vuWpTBjGKX2QCLcBGAsYHQ/w626-h82/1-understand-the-range-of-virtual-fundraising-events.png" width="626" /></a></div><br /></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-77502447-7fff-0e9c-8c99-7b71c975ad9b"><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Understand the range of virtual fundraising events</span></h2></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With the advancement and growing popularity of fundraising technology and virtual tools, the stage is set for a boom in virtual </span><a href="http://bwunlimitedcharityfundraising.blogspot.com/2020/04/fundraising-myths-exposed-using.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fundraising</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> events in 2021! The key is to make your virtual events stand out to your unique audience and find ways to engage them from start to finish. To help, we’ve gathered our favorite online fundraising ideas.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Virtual Auctions</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Taking your nonprofit’s charity auction virtual has a few major benefits. These virtual events are highly flexible, engaging for audiences, and typically less resource-intensive to plan than in-person auctions.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’ll need the perfect range of </span><a href="http://bwunlimitedcharityfundraising.blogspot.com/2020/08/donated-items-vs-consigned-items-myth.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">auction items</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, mobile bidding and/or live streaming software, and a plan for spreading the word to donors. Bonus points if you combine your virtual auction with additional live-streamed events or peer-to-peer fundraising elements!</span></p><h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 16pt;"><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Virtual Galas</span></h3><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Adapt your annual gala to take place virtually! Virtual galas and other live celebrations bring supporters together for an interactive program that highlights your mission and asks for support.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Use live-streaming software and virtual fundraising tools to plan and host your gala. Schedule a complete program of ceremonies, speakers, videos, entertainment, live appeals, and mission moments to keep attendees engaged. Incorporating a virtual </span><a href="http://bwunlimitedcharityfundraising.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-secret-to-successfully-utilizing.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">auction</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is never a bad idea, either!</span></p><h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 16pt;"><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Virtual Peer-to-Peer Event</span></h3><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hosting a virtual run, walk, ride or other on-the-ground event is a powerful way to bring people together, remind your supporters that they make a difference, and educate and inspire people about your mission. And it’s an effective way to raise dollars for your cause!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Taking your peer-to-peer fundraising virtual allows you to engage participants and supporters online, in fun, new and creative ways that motivate, and if executed correctly, can drive more </span><a href="http://www.bwunlimited.com/CHARITY-BLOG.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fundraising</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 16pt;"><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Virtual Livestream and Fundraising Appeal</span></h3><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Virtual events and live stream programs are here to stay! The power of multi-media allows nonprofits to build connections with remote donors and humanize your mission, no matter where your supporters are.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Storytelling is essential here. As you tell your attendees about your mission, make your story </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">their story</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. A high-quality event will communicate the most important messages at the right time throughout the event – ultimately, driving more fundraising activity and proceeds to fuel your mission. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JRGeVvOQoQ/YAnRuiTxHNI/AAAAAAAAnpA/dGCQlN-kzOM95Hu2ahwc4xfBNP3TBl3fACLcBGAsYHQ/s1140/2-update-your-event-goals.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="1140" height="79" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JRGeVvOQoQ/YAnRuiTxHNI/AAAAAAAAnpA/dGCQlN-kzOM95Hu2ahwc4xfBNP3TBl3fACLcBGAsYHQ/w602-h79/2-update-your-event-goals.png" width="602" /></a></div><br /><p></p><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: -18pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Update your event goals</span></h2></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">In order to host a successful campaign, you’ll first need to determine what success means to your </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">organization. It’s important to qualify and quantify exactly what you want to gain from your </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.onecause.com/blog/nonprofit-guide-to-virtual-fundraising/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">virtual fundraising</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> event, as that goal informs your planning strategy.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">It’s important to note that goal setting may look different in 2021 depending on your limitations and </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">broader engagement or fundraising strategies – and that’s okay! It’s important to start early in the </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">planning process to keep any event team focused and on track.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">To find the right monetary goal, you’ll need to look to your larger fundraising strategy and figure out </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">where an event could tie in. Whether it’s your first event of the year or your last, see where you are </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to your annual goals and what progress still remains. That will guide your fundraising goals for your </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">online fundraising campaign!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">In addition to raising money, you might also use a fundraising event to facilitate other goals, such as:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Acquiring</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> new donors.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Promoting</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> your cause or gaining publicity.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Stewarding</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> existing donors.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Engaging</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> prospective major donors.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Growing</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> reach through Ambassador fundraisers.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Increasing</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> average donations per supporter.</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-099cb40e-7fff-c7b0-4d8e-9e3f0c3e8ee0"></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">No matter what your goals are, make sure that you have a way to quantify them. If you don’t have a </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">metric for success going in, you can’t measure how well you did or improve your strategies going </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">forward. It’s all about progress!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vzmraE5xdoQ/YAnSKeym4WI/AAAAAAAAnpI/CGpcnU_zjaMXsUvS6ZtJi8063efsxZmjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1140/3-update-your-nonprofits-toolkit.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="1140" height="76" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vzmraE5xdoQ/YAnSKeym4WI/AAAAAAAAnpI/CGpcnU_zjaMXsUvS6ZtJi8063efsxZmjwCLcBGAsYHQ/w581-h76/3-update-your-nonprofits-toolkit.png" width="581" /></a></div><br /><p></p><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: -18pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Review your nonprofit’s toolkit</span></h2></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Now that you know what you’d like your event to accomplish, you’ll need to review your nonprofit </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">toolkit to ensure you have the right technology to get the job done.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">An increase in technological advancements has made it possible for nonprofit organizations of all </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">shapes and sizes to do more with virtual fundraising events. To reach the new world of donors who </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">increasingly give online, nonprofits must have a virtual event </span><a href="http://www.bwunlimited.com/CHARITY-BLOG.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">fundraising strategy</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> that encourages </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">supporters to donate anytime and anywhere.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">No matter your size or mission, keep these key features in mind as you’re looking for a virtual </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">fundraising solution:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Ease-of-use for you and your donors</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Mobile optimized for any device</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Ability for donors to cover transaction fees</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Thermometers, giving timelines, and social donor walls</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Option for free-standing microsites and embedded forms</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Ability to spur competitive giving, matches, and fundraising challenges</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Customizable giving levels form questions</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Secure SSL/PCI compliant payment processing</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1193fb88-7fff-5fbe-bed9-d0e5ed6ad612"></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.onecause.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">OneCause</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> is the top fundraising software that allows you to amplify your mission with online </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">fundraising. They are driven to improve the giving experience. Donors are looking for a connection; </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and OneCause’s technology empowers organizations to put their mission at the forefront and make </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">giving mobile, social, and fun.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOME_zskg9c/YAnShOil4aI/AAAAAAAAnpQ/uLjuJd6yQaIKb8CvK2a0LMY9fqOKMVwRACLcBGAsYHQ/s1140/4-make-sure-your-audience-is-on-board.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="1140" height="80" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOME_zskg9c/YAnShOil4aI/AAAAAAAAnpQ/uLjuJd6yQaIKb8CvK2a0LMY9fqOKMVwRACLcBGAsYHQ/w614-h80/4-make-sure-your-audience-is-on-board.png" width="614" /></a></div><br /><p></p><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: -18pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Make sure your audience is on board</span></h2></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">It should come as no surprise that as you move your fundraising online, you’ll need to bring your </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">marketing efforts online as well. After choosing your virtual fundraising strategy, setting your </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">fundraising goals, and ensuring you have the right tools to get the job done, the next step is to get </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">your audience on board! Digital marketing can help.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Digital marketing has become a reliable marketing technique for businesses of varying size and </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">industry. It encourages brand awareness, expands your organization’s reach, and allows you to more </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">effectively track your results. Social media, video, and email marketing are just a few inexpensive </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">ways to resonate with potential donors.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">- Social media:</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> Every follower on your nonprofit’s Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">page represents an opportunity to grow your network of potential donors. Be sure to plan out </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">social posts on a daily basis to grow your community and build excitement around your campaign.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">- Video:</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> While video may seem daunting to some nonprofits, never fear. Sure – quality matters. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">It reflects your brand! But you can create high quality video by simply using your smartphone. What </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">matters the most is your story. Stories that will be the most successful are those that emotionally </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">ignite your donors to act.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">- Email Marketing:</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> Email marketing is a cost and time-effective tool. This is an excellent way to </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">deliver a lot of information, reach a lot of interested people at once, and connect with your supporters </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">in an engaging way. You can segment your audience into different lists and grow donor retention by </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">creating campaigns and call-to-actions specific to those audiences.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Once you get the word out about your event, be sure that your audience knows how your upcoming </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">virtual events will differ from traditional in-person events that you’ve had in the past. You will need to </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">take steps to ensure your audience is ready to make the jump to virtual engagement – before, during, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and after.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">- Before:</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> Be sure to provide explanations of any new tools you’re using or processes you’re </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">following in all of your event marketing materials.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">- During:</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> Have staff on hand for troubleshooting during events, answering any questions, and being a </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">go-to resource for guests.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">- After:</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> Conduct surveys after your virtual event. Most importantly though – keep refining your process!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-5b0c2dfc-7fff-d5ac-35a0-0b36396d5605" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><hr /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Don’t underestimate the support of your donors. Even with the impact of COVID-19, they are still looking </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">for ways to engage with your mission – virtual fundraising events are the perfect tool to help.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Virtual fundraising events will be an important part of nonprofits’ strategies for the foreseeable </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">future.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> Whether as full replacements for in-person events or as modern, hybrid engagement </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">opportunities, virtual tactics give organizations flexibility and a means to keep on fundraising. And they </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">give donors the ability to join in from anywhere!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">With the right technology and strategies on your side, your nonprofit can begin building out an exciting </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">calendar of virtual events to grow your fundraising in 2021 and beyond. Whether you’re new to virtual </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">fundraising events or have executed them in the past but are looking for new ideas, we’re here to help.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">First, understand the range of virtual fundraising events. Then update your goals, be sure you have the </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">right tools to support your goals, and get your audience engaged.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></div></span>bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-47875209236732842452020-12-16T10:16:00.001-08:002020-12-16T10:16:25.236-08:00“Certificates of Authenticity” ARE MEANINGLESS for Charity Fundraisers!<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Too many
charities across the country believe this myth “Well, it has a Certificate of
Authenticity so we know it’s real.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now that
I have your attention, let me both educate you and hopefully save you time,
energy, money and your charities reputation.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">First –
can you imagine finding out that you sold counterfeit autographed items at your
charities fundraiser?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The damage would
be horrendous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A
Certificate of Authenticity is absolutely, unequivocally meaningless!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anybody could create a certificate of
Authenticity that looks really impressive, using big words that are meant to
impress you such as “Forensic Authenticator” – what does that mean?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you
look up what the term “Forensic” means, it says:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Relating to or denoting the application of
scientific methods and techniques to the investigation of crime.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So basically, a “Forensic Authenticator is a
fancy way of saying they use scientific methods to authenticate autographed
items.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So why not just say “Autograph
Authenticator”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Don’t be
fooled – a fancy card with a bunch of technical sounding terms means absolutely
NOTHING!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus when someone really
checks the autograph for authenticity and they take it too someone who is a
reputable authenticator, the card is meaningless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfuQn2CUsms/X9pOfxPb1aI/AAAAAAAAnlY/StE88EwSuIwoSEC5Suo2uKB8GdPUQepqACLcBGAsYHQ/s1457/5eb5d6a52177ac61d89f91c63aaea308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1457" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfuQn2CUsms/X9pOfxPb1aI/AAAAAAAAnlY/StE88EwSuIwoSEC5Suo2uKB8GdPUQepqACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/5eb5d6a52177ac61d89f91c63aaea308.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div><b><br /> <o:p></o:p></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Don’t you
think if the autograph is fake or counterfeit, the awesome “Certificate of
Authenticity” that came with it is counterfeit too?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">They commonly
use fancy seals and graphically designed cards along with big terms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will also put a sticker on the item with
a number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of this is an attempt to
make you feel comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But
again, the Certificate of Authenticity is absolutely 100% MEANINGLESS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do I say that?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Think
about this – anyone can say they are a Doctor correct?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when you look, they have a diploma from “Johnny’s
Doctor School” in Cuba.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you let
them treat you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh no way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What
matter is – WHO THE AUTHENTICATOR IS !!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Are they reputable?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are they
accepted by Ebay or other outlets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do
they have a long outstanding reputation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here is
another issue – Does that company authenticate more than just one autograph
companies items?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Do your
homework.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check out the company you are
getting autographed items from and then, ask “Who authenticated the autograph?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they “Self Authenticate” – RUN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they use a company who is relatively
unknown – RUN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If no other company in
the world carries the same autographed items, RUN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here is
the most important – If the autographs are not authenticated by JSA, PSA/DNA,
Beckett or Radtke – RUN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">DON’T BE
FOOLED – A Certificate of Authenticity is MEANINGLESS – Who authenticated the
autograph is worth it’s weight in gold or just simply toilet paper.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you
would like to learn more about how to tell if an autograph is real or
counterfeit, or you would like to ensure that you have 100% authentic autographed
auction items, contact us at <a href="http://www.BWUnlimited.com">www.BWUnlimited.com</a>,
we would love to help you and your charity.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-12396440813900978202020-10-28T13:34:00.000-07:002020-10-28T13:34:11.760-07:00The Fundraising "MAGIC BULLET" Scam<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hpi72u1H14U/X5nTtwVyVYI/AAAAAAAAnVU/oGm5KVUeWKcXtIHeaAnBGUaZwXzEzle8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s265/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hpi72u1H14U/X5nTtwVyVYI/AAAAAAAAnVU/oGm5KVUeWKcXtIHeaAnBGUaZwXzEzle8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/images.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As with
everything in life, people are always looking for a “Magic Bullet” that will
get them where they want to go quick or faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The “Get Rich Quick” schemes scam millions of people into attending
seminars selling just about everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Diet fads come and go along with new “In Home” workout gear that will
get rid of your belly and give you 6 pack abs nearly overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">People
looking for a “Magic Bullet” often fall prey to those selling them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the
charity and non-profit world, I see this all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between software that allegedly will make
your life easier, to counterfeit autographed items from Musicians and
Celebrities that no one else in the world has and also to direct mail campaigns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then there
are charities who ignore the “tried and true methods” of fundraising because
they are convinced that those are wore out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They often spend an enormous amount of work and lose hundreds of
thousands of hours wasting their time to profit very little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Just like “Get
Rich Quick” schemes never pay off, neither do the fundraising fads that <br />will
make you more money and your life easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The real charity
fundraising “Magic Bullet” is hard work, determination and more importantly –
TIME!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one, not even me, can show up
to a first-time fundraising event and somehow make your charity millions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charities and Non-Profits will often compare
themselves to well established, centuries old charities who have been in
existence for a very long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
will believe that if done correctly, they will fundraise the same amount as
those non-profits do – WON’T HAPPEN!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then when they do not raise a very large amount of money, will drop anything
they are currently doing and begin again with some other plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When along they should know they have to
stand in the fundraising trenches and build on what they have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fy004qe-WoE/X5nUEzG1pOI/AAAAAAAAnVo/LiXZ9iN10CYSIp1OvL2Y0P1GdXOcxTdRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s850/scam-artist-signs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="850" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fy004qe-WoE/X5nUEzG1pOI/AAAAAAAAnVo/LiXZ9iN10CYSIp1OvL2Y0P1GdXOcxTdRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/scam-artist-signs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yet another
method is, they will easily fall for a company promising that a direct mail
campaign will raise them millions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
the hammer hits, the direct mail company wants an enormous fee and then wants
you to provide the names for them to mail too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Recently, I
sat through a sales pitch by a fundraising software company with one of my
clients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I’ve been around the block
about 1,000 times in 12 years, their “Magic Bullet” tactics stood out like a sore
thumb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With my client being the President
of a 2 year old charity, he had no experience and they knew it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They showed him an “Example” of their
software along with “Examples” of Sponsors such as Coca Cola, Google, McDonald’s
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They showed insanely successful
auctions raising hundreds of thousands of dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fell for it hook, line and sinker and bit
hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could hear the salesperson slobbering
over the phone at the monster commission she was about to get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then, there was me, a fundraising wolf in
sheep's clothing standing beside him.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But what
they failed to tell him, which I did was simply this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will call him “Bob” – I said “Bob, you
know all that incredible stuff there shown in this presentation?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said “Yes and we want them too.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said “Well Bob, those are only examples and
not real at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This company is using
those brands and logo’s just to dress it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact Bob, you have to look at this software like going to a restaurant
for dinner and you have to buy your own food, cook it and then the restaurant
sells you the plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You or we have to
do all the work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This software is just
that, an empty slate.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh” in a down
voice he said “So they don’t give us these people at all?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said “No not at all, in fact, they don’t
help us advertise it or get anyone to bid – OR – provide all those beautiful
auction items – we must do everything.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, that ended quickly with the salesperson wondering who in creation
I was.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In closing,
the charity or non-profit fundraising “Magic Bullet” is simply “hard work,
determination and time.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus educating
you and your charity on the current fundraising trends that seem to change day
to day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t fall for “Magic Bullets”…the
only thing that will make you rich takes years of dedication and commitment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Just put in
the work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="www.bwunlimited.com"><span style="color: red;"><b>BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising</b></span> </a>is a North American Charity Fundraising leader in a
convenient “One Stop Shop” setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BW
is known all over the country for expert guidance and assistance in the planning
and management of highly profitable fundraising events as well as a leading
provider of <a href="http://www.bwunlimited.com/NO-RISK-AUCTION-ITMES-BWunlimited.html"><b><span style="color: red;">auction items</span></b></a> for both Silent and Live Auctions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contact BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising
today at <a href="http://www.BWUnlimited.com"><b>www.BWUnlimited.com</b></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-82462060168438993842020-08-27T12:51:00.000-07:002020-08-27T12:51:04.385-07:00The “Secret” to successfully utilizing consignment items for your next Virtual or Live Event<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gmQUIaXy61g/X0gOBaF1DwI/AAAAAAAAnMo/oOFuNgicq34Q5qKnxpErINGjaH6bd9T7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2746/IMG_0857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2746" data-original-width="2082" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gmQUIaXy61g/X0gOBaF1DwI/AAAAAAAAnMo/oOFuNgicq34Q5qKnxpErINGjaH6bd9T7QCLcBGAsYHQ/w303-h400/IMG_0857.jpg" width="303" /></a></b></div><b><br />With the
new era of charities changing their fundraising strategies from live gala’s to
virtual events, their fun</b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">draising strategies must evolve as well. With small businesses taking the br</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">unt of the
financial crisis, it now has become much harder for these businesses to</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> donate
items. </span></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">However,
there are</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> b</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">usinesses or individuals who never get asked to donate anything simply
because they have nothing to give. These
businesses are the professionals in your are</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">a</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">s such as Real Estate Agents,
Accountants, Doctors, Consultants etc. They
are never approached and asked unlike the local jewelry store.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We must
acknowledge that a charity’s supporters are local people, attending or being a
part of a local fundraiser (whether it is live or virtual) with items donated
by local businesses. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During a
virtual fundraising event, charities have items which have mass appeal while also
drawing bids fro</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">m many bidders across the country. They key to this is simply “Consigned Auction
Items” such as 100% authentic autographed items, charity travel packages, décor
and jewelry. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A year ago,
we started teaching charities across North America about the “Secret” to
utilizing consignment items and to remove the associated stigma in reference to
the use of donated items versus consignment items. The “Secret” is having the consigned items
sponsored. The word quickly spread
throughout the industry and other companies began addressing this too. It’s a “Win Win” strategy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here are
the reasons they are much more successful than donated items and the “Secret”
to making them incredibly successful:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#1 – High
profile items bring much more attention than “Run of the Mill” donated
items. Many more people will</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> be drawn to
your Silent or Live Auction because of these high-profile items.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#2 – 90%
of supporters can not sponsor at high levels such as $1,000.00 and above. However, they can sponsor for much lower levels
which equals to the cost to non profit of the consigned items.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#3 – If
an item or items are sponsored and they are consigned, the sponsorship payment
is given directly to your charity. We
recommend starting the bid or setting the “Reserve Bid” at 20% above the cost
to nonprofit. If the item receives a bid
and no matter how high it goes, the charity profits 100% since the item is
sponsored. However, in reverse, if the
same sponsored item or items are sponsored and they do not receive bids, the
item either is removed from the online auction or if it is a live event, they
are returned to the provider and your charity keeps the sponsorship funds. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#4 –
Remember that many businesses sponsor for advertising or marketing which you
provide by listing their name and business in the listing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After you
choose the items which you would like to utilize, simply create a catalog to
show to potential sponsors. This will open
up an entirely new fundraising stream and attract many more sponsors while you
are able to provide high profile, eye catching items in your next fundraising
live or silent auction.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BW
Unlimited Charity Fundraising is a North American charity fundraising leader in
a convenient “One Stop Shop” setting. For
more information about our auction items or how we can help you exceed your
fundraising goals, contact us at <a href="http://www.BWUnlimited.com.">www.BWUnlimited.com.</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span></b></p></div>bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-54191715888959914192020-08-11T10:28:00.000-07:002020-08-11T10:28:05.179-07:00Donated items vs. Consigned Items: Myth or Fact<p><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vQlqiz6CQic/XzLT-OixTPI/AAAAAAAAnI4/g3EzPGxhi0Q7AKwdAgy4_80YNjSi7LpggCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/istock_vladst_myth_fact.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="2048" height="227" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vQlqiz6CQic/XzLT-OixTPI/AAAAAAAAnI4/g3EzPGxhi0Q7AKwdAgy4_80YNjSi7LpggCLcBGAsYHQ/w328-h227/istock_vladst_myth_fact.png" width="328" /></a></b></div><b>As with
anything, there are myths that are passed down from year to year, from person
to person that inadvertently can turn into a “Tall Tale.” But in the charity world, these myths are
like walking through the woods and following a wrong path toward the edge of a
cliff. However, even though there may be
people along the way telling them to turn around, they believe the path they are
on is the right way regardless of the facts.</b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What myth
am I referring too?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The myth that
donated items are far better than utilizing consignment items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I too believed that a very long time ago
until I opened my eyes and saw the reality based solidly on the facts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I began
my fundraising career as a volunteer assisting several outdoor charities which send
out catalogs of items to their respective chapters around the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These catalogs are full of incredible items
which in the end, the chapter has to pay for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Uneducated, I thought that if I could get items fully donated, that
would raise much much more money because, inevitably, we had to pay for those
items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boy was I wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now understand,
I was the “King of Donations.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now,
looking back, I realize that the hundreds of donated items I was able to get,
truly didn’t have any theme nor were they exciting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we used the donations, they would do horrible
up against or compared to the items which we had to pay for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a volunteer and thinking “How could
this be true?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the fact is, the
charities knew it and understood they needed high quality items for people to
bid on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you
don’t believe me, go to the website that charities report directly to in order
to be rated – <a href="http://www.CharityNavigator.com">www.CharityNavigator.com</a>
and see for yourself how successful the above is for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These charities were the first and only to
adopt a program which their fundraising chapters were to “BUY” items to auction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are their numbers:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ducks
Unlimited - Net Revenue:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$233,638,780.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Rocky
Mountain Elk Foundation - Net Revenue:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>$84,644,739.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">National
Wild Turkey Federation - Net Revenue:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>$23,122,179.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I met
personally met with one of the largest charities which the world is very
familiar with (who shall remain nameless) and their Director of Development said
“George, we don’t want our chapters getting donations because it’s nothing but
junk.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, if they understand this
fact, why doesn’t the rest of the charity world grasp it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer is:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Furthermore, there are people who work in the charity industry (not the
charities themselves) who fight against using consignment items.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you
notice, I’ve said “Consignment Items” unlike the charities above who force
their chapters to buy items, our items are “Consigned” which means if the
charity does not profit, the items DO NOT SELL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m going
to tell you the reality of donated items but you have to be open enough to read
and understand this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are the facts:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#1 –
Charities rarely look back to see or analyze what the donated items sold
for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they did, they would be shocked.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#2 –
Charities routinely use the same donated items year after year with the
audience for that or those items dropping each year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an example, each year someone may donate
the use of their vacation home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
many of the guests know they can go directly to that person and get it cheaper
or Free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if it’s auctioned off year
after year, the audience for it drops drastically.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#3 –
Charities do not comprehend the fact that IF the item does not sell high or
sell at all, how that will hurt the donating businesses reputation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen this for myself, an item that was
worth $1,200.00 sold for $40.00.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
donor was so upset, he stood up and yelled that it would have been better for
him to write a check.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#4 –
Across North America, donated items are only selling for 1/8<sup>th</sup> to 1/4
of their retail value in any Silent or Live Auction.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#5 – Donated
Items come from local businesses, donating to local people attending a local
event – if the guests of that event wanted the item or items, they would go them
themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#6 – <o:p></o:p></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Common donated items at charity events are Gift Certificates and Gift Baskets</span></b></p><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qvKqMbb6IPE/XzLUgiwurYI/AAAAAAAAnJA/99cpwB8B0Eko4MMNi6eLNqrTew4yNCMiACPcBGAYYCw/s1000/card-50-no-num.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="1000" height="258" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qvKqMbb6IPE/XzLUgiwurYI/AAAAAAAAnJA/99cpwB8B0Eko4MMNi6eLNqrTew4yNCMiACPcBGAYYCw/w410-h258/card-50-no-num.png" width="410" /></a></div>which is also commonly advertised by fundraising companies as a means to say “Look, I’m trying to help you by giving you ideas” however, the truth is – everyone is looking for a deal. No one EVER buys themselves a gift certificate to a restaurant, it doesn’t make sense. Why would you buy a $50.00 Gift Certificate for yourself when you can just go there anytime and spend $50.00 on a meal. In regard to Gift Baskets, these are overwhelmingly the most common item at events. However, if you either truly answer this question or ask others this, you will be dismayed at the answer: How many gift baskets did you give away to your family or friends for the holidays? The answer is always NONE. So why do charities continue to think these items will be profitable? Someone would never give you full value of a Gift Certificate – it goes against human nature. No one wants gift baskets and that’s why they are given away for gifts.</span></b>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#7 –
Businesses can not donate really profitable items which they sell in their
stores, they must be able to continue to keep their business open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They commonly will donate something that isn’t
selling in order to at least get a write off or because someone is standing there,
from their community asking.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#8 –
Charities are misguided when they think they are the only people to ask that
business for a donation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately,
that week alone, they were asked 20 times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ask them for yourself about this?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#9 – EVERYONE
IS LOOKING FOR A DEAL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People spend with
their wallets and NOT with their hearts – this is fact.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When
using consigned items, such as the ones that we provide, you must understand “HOW”
to use them and why they are successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When charities
are asked if they would like to use our consignment items, we commonly hear the
same excuses such as “Our guests don’t have that kind of money” which is the single
most phrase we hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the
reality is, how would you know what your guests can afford if you are only
offering them items such as a $50.00 gift certificate or John’s Vacation
Home?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have no idea how they will
spend their money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want great items
and will always bid high in order to win them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here are
the facts for consignment items:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#1 – You must
start the “Reserve” or “Starting Bid” at least 20% above the Cost to Non Profit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#2 –
Prior to your event, you and your charity should get the consignment items
sponsored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More people can afford to
sponsor items at a lesser price than Sponsorships ranging in the thousands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By getting the items sponsored, you are
guaranteed to make 100% of the selling price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If the item does not sell, the item is simply returned and your charity
keeps the sponsorship money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#3 – Guests
are looking for exciting items and Vacation Packages to bid on, not local arts
& crafts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#4 – Charity
events in a local community compete against each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Depending on the event, which one do you
think more people would like to attend?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The one that has a silent auction filled with Gift Baskets and Gift certificates
or the one filled with one of kind items and vacation packages?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#5 – You
are guaranteed to profit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#6 –
Guests routinely bid low on donated items but bid high on consignment items –
what does this prove?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That they indeed
have the money to spend but they will only spend higher amounts on items which
are worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus if you use donated
items in the silent auction, having consigned items mixed in will raise the bid
amounts on the donated items.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In
summary, by continuing to do what you and your charity has always done, step
out of the box and try new things and new approaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We strongly suggest you follow the lead of
some of the most successful charities in the country and use high quality items
which you can get from us, BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising, for your next Live
and Silent Auction.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If we can
help you or answer questions about this or other myths, contact us at <a href="mailto:info@bwunlimited.com">info@bwunlimited.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BW
Unlimited Charity Fundraising is the nations leading charity fundraising
company in a convenient “One Stop Shop” setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BWUCF offers a wide array of auction items
and is known as the only trusted provider in the charity industry for truly
100% authentic autographed items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BWUCF
also offers a full suite of event planning and staffing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For more information, check out our website
at <a href="http://www.BWUnlimited.com">www.BWUnlimited.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-69720005072121470662020-05-27T10:00:00.003-07:002020-05-27T10:08:01.623-07:00Charity Spotlight on Cliff Richards Jr., President of the Hale Foundation: The true example of how to care and support your supporters.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Over the
nearly 13 years we, BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising, have been helping guide
charities and non-profits across North America on how to plan and host a large
scale highly profitable fundraising event, one of the areas which we heavily
believe in and attempt to teach our charity clients is how to attract and support their Sponsors and Donors.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Over the
27 years we have been involved in fundraising, we have seen time and time again
how various charities receive either major financial donations or large-scale
financial </b></span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b>sponsorship's</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>, yet they do either very little or nothing to support or
promote their donors and sponsors.</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Often,
when someone donates, they don’t even go back and look to see if their use of
the item was successful – they just accept whatever monies come in and move
forward never looking back.</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Also, they
routinely don’t think of the when it comes to use of the items even when the
donor is in attendance.</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>They must always
protect the donors above and beyond all things.</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;">
</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, when I
see someone do something that goes against what 99.9% of our clients do as well
as other charities, I am both blown away and incredibly impressed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Over a
year ago, I met Cliff Richards who is the President of the Hale
Foundation located in Augusta, Georgia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He along with Patrick Cullinan, asked for our help to host a fundraising
Gala in North Augusta, South Carolina this coming fall which is now known as
the “Sunset on the Savannah Gala” on September 26<sup>th</sup> at the Crowne
Plaza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To know
Cliff, he is a funny, friendly good ole Georgia boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s easy to like and get close to him right
from the start because of his personality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is warm and inviting and can’t do enough for his friends and clients
with the Hale Foundation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is an
immediate friend to all who have met and know him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Cliff
recruited a “Rock Star” team of highly motivated volunteers and after being
provided direction, they took off like a rocket.</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>They sold more financial </b></span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b>sponsorship's</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b> in such
a short amount of time than I have ever seen before.</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>They also had many of the auction items
sponsored and were closing in on a very early sell out based on the number of
sponsors they had.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Then COVID-19
hit like a meteor.</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Everything stopped
suddenly, the entire country went into </b></span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b>lock-down</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>.</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Small businesses were shut completely down,
people were losing their jobs and businesses and families began to struggle.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One
morning, I received a call from Cliff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He asked how I was doing and was worried about my family and I since we
were also shut down completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then
started off the conversation by saying “I know you’re not going to like this
but…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What Cliff told me honestly, sat
me back in my chair speechless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7WiduRiLdJA/Xs6YWsx98UI/AAAAAAAAm9U/zETNs_RHKE8S6nstGUUtVnf8Y0obdfF5gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/87049210_10219716903650592_2155734533578686464_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7WiduRiLdJA/Xs6YWsx98UI/AAAAAAAAm9U/zETNs_RHKE8S6nstGUUtVnf8Y0obdfF5gCPcBGAYYCw/s320/87049210_10219716903650592_2155734533578686464_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a
world of “what will you or are you doing for me?” or charity scams in a greed filled
society, community, Cliff was thinking about all those who graciously became major
financial sponsors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Understand the it
takes an enormous amount of money to do what the Hale Foundation does and is
planning in regard to Valor Station, Cliff was not thinking of his own needs or
the foundations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still remember his
Georgia southern draw saying “I’m returning the money given to us from our
sponsors since most are small businesses and they are going to struggle during
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you’ll think I’m crazy for
giving them their money back but it’s the right thing to do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked myself “Am I hearing this right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is Cliff actually taking money he needs and
giving it back to his donors because he cares about them and their livelihoods?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was astonished and replied “No Cliff, I
think it’s amazing that you would do that and in fact, you’re the first person
I have ever heard even go that far taking care of those who were taking care of
you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Many can
learn a lot from Cliff Richards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
thought beyond himself and the needs of his own charity, but thought of his
supporters first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the mark of a
true leader and the definition of integrity and giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew that they gave when times were good
but now that they are worried, he knew that the money they gave easily should
be given back to help them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b>You couldn't find two better men than Cliff Richards and Patrick Cullinan who live their lives to serve and help First Responders nationwide.</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cliff, I
applaud you sir, you are a remarkable man and I am proud to know you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am humbled by your selfless act of giving
and supporting your supporters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
appreciate you more than you know and speaking on behalf of our entire team
from BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising, thank you for all you have done and
continue to do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G_kMNroYPj4/Xs6b1BprlbI/AAAAAAAAm94/N5lHGx6L158bNTb7BwXX08FNsD29kabfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BW%2B%2B-SUNSETontheSAVANNAH-FLYER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G_kMNroYPj4/Xs6b1BprlbI/AAAAAAAAm94/N5lHGx6L158bNTb7BwXX08FNsD29kabfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/BW%2B%2B-SUNSETontheSAVANNAH-FLYER.jpg" width="246" /></a><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To learn more about the Hale Foundation's upcoming event "Sunset on the Savannah Gala" on September 26th - go to Facebook at this link:</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1151308328554949/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Sunset on the Savannah Facebook Event Page</span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Or contact them directly on how to sponsor or to purchase tickets via the contact information on the flyer.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you
would like to learn more about how we can help you, contact us at <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.bwunlimited.com/"><span style="color: red;">www.BWUnlimited.com</span></a>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></b></div>
<br />bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-59055976315335446702020-04-24T10:29:00.001-07:002020-04-24T10:30:54.719-07:00Fundraising Myth Exposed: Using consignment items are bad and will hurt your fundraising efforts<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8TEJ1pzwOdo/XqMfOwU8__I/AAAAAAAAmzQ/zMivjiXVnMMRF2s-W83CS7wrP1hBGCwNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/EXPOSED-NEW.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1311" data-original-width="1600" height="262" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8TEJ1pzwOdo/XqMfOwU8__I/AAAAAAAAmzQ/zMivjiXVnMMRF2s-W83CS7wrP1hBGCwNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/EXPOSED-NEW.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There are
many myths surrounding charity fundraising which originate back to the 1980’s
or possibly earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, here is just
one of the myths both described and the truth exposed:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">MYTH:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using items which you have to pay for is a
bad idea and fundraising business practice.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#1 –
Charities keep 100% of the profit from fully donated items.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#2 – Fundraising
items that have a price or are consigned, draw bids away from donated items.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#3 –
Charity guests prefer to bid on donated items vs. consigned items.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To properly
address this myth, we first have to address the costs which charities easily
incur during the planning of their fundraising events which are not
donated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By understanding and agreeing
that this is true, it will truly show you how “opposite thinking” it is when it
comes to the use of the items which actually raise the funds needed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When
planning a Gala or other fundraising event, the very first expense you incur is
the rental of the venue along with catering and drinks which comes at an
expense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, guests pay for tickets
which in turn pays these expenses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep
in mind, that there is always “Margin/Profit” placed on each ticket price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there is printing of tickets, programs
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then entertainment, both bands and
DJ’s charge for their services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add in decorations
– all these line items come at a cost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rarely will you find any of this donated, especially the venue of your
event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only item in the above list
that creates profit is the actual tickets that sell.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With that
in mind, after making these decisions, this is where charities turn off their thinking
and this is when the myth kicks in that donated items are the best method to
raise money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, they incurred
costs easily as described above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here is
the “Reality of Donated Items”:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#1 – With
over 1.5 million charities in the United States, businesses are bombarded with
donation requests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can not possibly
donate to everyone and if they do, routinely it’s something that is not selling
in their stores.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#2 –
Remember, you are hosting a local event with items donated by local businesses
with your guests also living locally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
your guests wanted those items, they would have gone and bought them
themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#3 – Our guests
don’t spend or bid that high on the items we have.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#4 –
Donated items are only bringing 1/8<sup>th</sup> to 1/2 of their retail value
at the very most across the United States in any Silent or Live Auction (study
performed by BW Unlimited LLC. over a 3 year period).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#5 – Donated
items do not have a high appeal and routinely have no theme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#6 –
Everyone is looking for a deal – Common donated items are Gift Certificates and
Gift Baskets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If someone reports that Gift Certificates
are selling at full retail or above, they are lying or have not looked. QUESTION:
Have you ever bought yourself a Gift Certificate? No, that is why they are called “Gift”
certificates – we give them away to someone else as a gift. Routinely, these sell for 1/4 of their retail
value.</span></b></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How many “Gift Baskets” did you give
away to your family or friends for the Holidays? None.
The reason is, no one truly wants them.
Again, routinely these sell for
1/4 of their perceived value.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#7 –
Charities commonly utilize the same donated items year after year such as
someone’s Vacation Home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, they
fail to understand (2) most important derogatory aspects about this:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">People know they can go directly to
the donor and get the Vacation Rental either for free or at a very reduced
rate.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Each year these items are auctioned,
the appeal and audience goes down and down.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#8 – If an
item that is donated has a significant cost and it sells for 1/4 of it’s retail
and the donor either is a guest at your event or hears about the low selling
price, do you think it will have a negative impact on them donating again?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#9 – Are the
items actually free?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Considering the
time it took to get someone to donate an item, the time it took and the cost of
the gas that it took to drive there and back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then the item sells for 1/4 of the retail – ask yourself, was it worth
it?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
argument against using consigned items normally is based on charities not being
fully educated on the importance or how to properly use them to ensure they are
highly successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(Only
with BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising, we advise our clients to increase the
cost of our items by 20% so that on the very first bid, they are profiting –
guaranteed.)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here is
the how and why this myth is dispelled: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_kzJNVIdiQ/XqMgE566UaI/AAAAAAAAmzY/QlcGjIkjpHAKkpHy-PJmcCiO0MuNonEIACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/94143957_131294641839544_7276325810955354112_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="720" height="234" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_kzJNVIdiQ/XqMgE566UaI/AAAAAAAAmzY/QlcGjIkjpHAKkpHy-PJmcCiO0MuNonEIACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/94143957_131294641839544_7276325810955354112_n.jpg" width="320" /></b></span></a><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#1 –
Consigned items such as autographed memorabilia, vacation packages, jewelry
etc. are very enticing and will set your event apart from all other local
events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the items available are
advertised on Social Media, they will draw many more eyes and possible guest
attention.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#2 –
Consigned Items that have high minimum bids will actually raise the bids on
donated items.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#3 –
Guests will not bid high on low value items if that is all that is there to bid
on, however, they will bid extremely high on items which they have never seen
before or are only available through BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising or another
company.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#4 – Guests
routinely place extremely high bids and get into bidding wars over consigned
items which can also be sold multiple times – guaranteeing the charity much
more profit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#5 –
Consigned items do not cost the Charity anything, the buyer pays for the items,
not the charity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The charity just keeps
100% of the profit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the items do not
sell, they go back to the provider without a fee of any type.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is exactly like the venue and ticket
prices – however, the profit is not fixed as it is with ticket prices.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#7 –
Charities can have the items “Sponsored” or “Underwritten.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p7H52Oec-jE/XqMhsHT87oI/AAAAAAAAmzk/Qg9BqXqBu8kaNHVJeUrHAXg3syri-_1fQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/23561533_10215002299076783_8556770099729246613_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="925" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p7H52Oec-jE/XqMhsHT87oI/AAAAAAAAmzk/Qg9BqXqBu8kaNHVJeUrHAXg3syri-_1fQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/23561533_10215002299076783_8556770099729246613_n.jpg" width="308" /></b></span></a><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Charities can select as many items as
they would like to utilize and put them in a catalog format along with the cost
of each item. </span></b></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Many more people and businesses can
sponsor at a lower rate than at the normal high-level sponsorships. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If “ABC Realty” sponsors an item for
$250.00, they pay the charity for the sponsorship and a “Tent Card” is simply
placed in front of the item saying “Sponsored by ABC Realty.” </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The bid is started 20% above the cost
– as an example, the winning bid is $500.00 – The charity just profited $500.00
because the sponsor actually paid for the item.</span></b></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If the sponsored item does NOT
receive a bid, the item is returned and the charity keeps the $250.00
sponsorship.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In summary,
I have a question:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is the difference
between paying for the venue, the food and drinks – OR – having high quality
items that have a cost?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shouldn’t you
have great items for people to bid on instead of free items?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In
closing, if someone is against the use of consignment items from either BW
Unlimited Charity Fundraising or some other provider, educate them on the
above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just ask our 1,000’s of clients
across the United States if what I say above is not true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have used consignment items and were
unsuccessful, it’s possible you did not use them correctly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you
would like more information on how to be successful using consigned items or
would like to comment differently, please contact us at <a href="http://www.bwunlimited.com/"><span style="color: red;">www.BWUnlimited.com</span></a>, we would love to
help you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BW
Unlimited Charity Fundraising is a North American Charity Fundraising leader in
a convenient “One Stop Shop” setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
provide a host of consignment auction items such as 100% authentic autographed
memorabilia, worldwide vacation packages, beautiful jewelry and incredible décor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also assist our charity clients with a
host of charity fundraising event services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please contact us to learn more.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br />bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-19435775923849322202020-04-02T13:47:00.001-07:002020-04-02T13:47:44.225-07:00It's time to support the Small Businesses who supported your charity.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiErD5-szcs/XoZOTPP-qoI/AAAAAAAAmtY/03wHo0RliE0Z71BRb7guHzsOWWorWrTygCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoAISITRaB6MgQOJ2AgoMzL0UiOJP2KLDi87p3BToN8gfQ4Ot2Zlv6V7ie9Qrgrkdimlhl3-3cgr5fMcyHIVrfL7OB_M1Kk9mNXj7S0xPElRVbgVV7xa5LeaIXYvivV98L5t-YwSG4_V1g1maPvw1PlJHOt65wV-96RzGTKGuGiCmy9cThxffNDlHmuB8Zv7R8pQqAwUgdVCuAol6NobNzrieY-xV7iekwMpJx_ZWhdmgViYbM3apNhHLwPASNyh041ZIbqMLtQPLdsy2Yi4rwQAU4i6nYg2cYI2h0FMagXJ2rfFyZISBb2TeA66lbV1VEcMWzzBpZ-TpjlM41AP7UgrZpt0ApyOfAoG87kHcl7YkRQXBPgSShKSBnhjh2YiED1mQoLhYYa1t8ou_t1HvtLFxNbxFKtBvwWfou3Klj679fsYQdo0VAs3FPJtvJ6Kkqcfdq0mmgi7_UIzpG0VgkrzcX3XCGLIxPem4g4Kbw1dwaGf8mBl6uMkVF7DL5jsKV6l0xInziwQ9xLJMUJ5rm9X6OmYEb8eQY3FWubThfcGfNSXz4cFCbWeqXLefq59tLMl0BEanmxX31ePDKKN3Z9Vd8_0zXR5TD0w9KGZ9AU/s1600/39991_149236931753952_483925_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="598" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiErD5-szcs/XoZOTPP-qoI/AAAAAAAAmtY/03wHo0RliE0Z71BRb7guHzsOWWorWrTygCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoAISITRaB6MgQOJ2AgoMzL0UiOJP2KLDi87p3BToN8gfQ4Ot2Zlv6V7ie9Qrgrkdimlhl3-3cgr5fMcyHIVrfL7OB_M1Kk9mNXj7S0xPElRVbgVV7xa5LeaIXYvivV98L5t-YwSG4_V1g1maPvw1PlJHOt65wV-96RzGTKGuGiCmy9cThxffNDlHmuB8Zv7R8pQqAwUgdVCuAol6NobNzrieY-xV7iekwMpJx_ZWhdmgViYbM3apNhHLwPASNyh041ZIbqMLtQPLdsy2Yi4rwQAU4i6nYg2cYI2h0FMagXJ2rfFyZISBb2TeA66lbV1VEcMWzzBpZ-TpjlM41AP7UgrZpt0ApyOfAoG87kHcl7YkRQXBPgSShKSBnhjh2YiED1mQoLhYYa1t8ou_t1HvtLFxNbxFKtBvwWfou3Klj679fsYQdo0VAs3FPJtvJ6Kkqcfdq0mmgi7_UIzpG0VgkrzcX3XCGLIxPem4g4Kbw1dwaGf8mBl6uMkVF7DL5jsKV6l0xInziwQ9xLJMUJ5rm9X6OmYEb8eQY3FWubThfcGfNSXz4cFCbWeqXLefq59tLMl0BEanmxX31ePDKKN3Z9Vd8_0zXR5TD0w9KGZ9AU/s320/39991_149236931753952_483925_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you
remember asking the small businesses in your area to donate something for your
charity event? </span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For
instance, about 15 years ago, I went into a small business called Subworks Pizzeria
in my local town of Perryville, Maryland.
You see, I was once a volunteer for a charity and hit the area hard
looking for donations. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The owner
of Subworks, Carl Jarusek, didn’t even blink an eye and donated what he
could. I remember him doing that to this
day and I am still very grateful. Carl
is just that kind of guy, very friendly, caring and giving. So now, my family orders from him when we
want to order out because he helped me when I asked, now its my turn to help
him, his family and his business.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-troxUO5CJPk/XoZOTININtI/AAAAAAAAmtc/kPZ-aj24KtAOx6WeDQNHYUtBwC24sBhYQCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoBb9PipPWopFgJ3kD7Df2hszEyqWQGYt5WmU5T7eFl1VCYyfeXFxQNBd4uKBtFMoTi0Qzm4LeHZYWt7870qZ9HGsgwzcQ8wOJMeOuoV9BgPIwVY5jp1YKI46NN__9qahaYFKAIOtdSADZ3ZtPgyrXNGJZVMtxjgaO057G1Xn5LLHEwQzr5gQWomz6l4H0o4ftpyMisRgGYgO-sQ-13ZwCnghzBBB3wJw_gHLrvx40qqwTvtbqj3PC-Cgz4ogmkvItrhfzT9pz7mCX-tC8fPz--gWSfz01XjvgHmmaN06dSZW1bfMl8a-bWv1AuHUfJcjQMM71CweOPqb0BSXng9yxQO4X9Gz2g6Dm-3YeNTC-sERgsCc83UsbOAwrG0SLU5aE8DqY2dJsZOCY0PfQfCOaDUtfAVd6fdH8IXW23b47XkY5THtQYWdmOHyRDwC3c7KF1xbYj4-_H5YEyFWinf856BDe5nwxWWHtiaVqM11d6IGClcXiKngnjD9GUlw5cxEKcIEcAczbpCz41eUtu9abpyofUmWrxM6jfLPmxExbJHr82LEooYRL-Vckzs-uF5iQdAwijC5zpHbUgoV9dZ4jKqFqVv9pvLmFcwgaKZ9AU/s1600/1780644_665535273503762_1842309824_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="918" height="178" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-troxUO5CJPk/XoZOTININtI/AAAAAAAAmtc/kPZ-aj24KtAOx6WeDQNHYUtBwC24sBhYQCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoBb9PipPWopFgJ3kD7Df2hszEyqWQGYt5WmU5T7eFl1VCYyfeXFxQNBd4uKBtFMoTi0Qzm4LeHZYWt7870qZ9HGsgwzcQ8wOJMeOuoV9BgPIwVY5jp1YKI46NN__9qahaYFKAIOtdSADZ3ZtPgyrXNGJZVMtxjgaO057G1Xn5LLHEwQzr5gQWomz6l4H0o4ftpyMisRgGYgO-sQ-13ZwCnghzBBB3wJw_gHLrvx40qqwTvtbqj3PC-Cgz4ogmkvItrhfzT9pz7mCX-tC8fPz--gWSfz01XjvgHmmaN06dSZW1bfMl8a-bWv1AuHUfJcjQMM71CweOPqb0BSXng9yxQO4X9Gz2g6Dm-3YeNTC-sERgsCc83UsbOAwrG0SLU5aE8DqY2dJsZOCY0PfQfCOaDUtfAVd6fdH8IXW23b47XkY5THtQYWdmOHyRDwC3c7KF1xbYj4-_H5YEyFWinf856BDe5nwxWWHtiaVqM11d6IGClcXiKngnjD9GUlw5cxEKcIEcAczbpCz41eUtu9abpyofUmWrxM6jfLPmxExbJHr82LEooYRL-Vckzs-uF5iQdAwijC5zpHbUgoV9dZ4jKqFqVv9pvLmFcwgaKZ9AU/s320/1780644_665535273503762_1842309824_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are
millions of small business owners like Carl and his family across our country
who are now struggling to keep their doors open and paying their
employees. It kills them to have to lay
off people but they must in order to stay afloat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are real people whose faces and friendly "hello's" greet you as you walk through their doors and say thank you. They donate to your local sports teams, allow you to set up a table outside selling girl scout cookies and hang your flyer's in their windows. Like the Jarusek family.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Earlier,
I was speaking to a friend and client about all of this. You see, I had been advising my clients to
keep advertising their postponed events and he opened my eyes. That’s when it hit me, even our businesses
have been drastically struck by the current events. I’ve heard of at least (3) businesses closing
their doors as well as many of my friends being laid off or even worse, losing
their jobs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Again, do
you remember the small businesses in your area that donated to your charity
when you asked? It’s now your turn to
show them your support and that you care for them. Help them by going to their businesses
especially those who are restaurants doing curbside sales. Help them advertise by asking your friends to
visit and support their businesses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are
the charities now. They make up the
backbone of our country. They are the
smiling faces who remember your names. Show
them you support them now more than ever. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-15091330024185616842020-03-06T09:55:00.000-08:002020-03-06T09:55:51.104-08:00How to attract large Financial Sponsors<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>When
explaining the “Reality of Charity Fundraising”, I try to use an image that
most can imagine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the most frequent
questions I get from our clients is this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“How do we get major Financial Sponsors?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1LVG5T7MKmw/XmKLytZjkTI/AAAAAAAAmqo/B6JjEtrlr0EcaoeN4I6NUTRSMM_4uuBGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="480" height="232" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1LVG5T7MKmw/XmKLytZjkTI/AAAAAAAAmqo/B6JjEtrlr0EcaoeN4I6NUTRSMM_4uuBGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/thumbnail.jpg" width="320" /></b></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>As with most
things involved in charity fundraising, we first have to get around sediment
and understand reality since there are many “Charity Myths.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The charity myth involved here is that major
financial sponsors do so because they love the charity’s mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s partially true because some may love
your charity or it’s mission but the vast majority are attracted by what I am
about to explain here.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>To begin
explaining, I like to provide something “Visual” which most people are familiar
with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine a ball of small fishing
out in the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may have seen one
on TV, when the school of fish feel like they are going to be attacked by
predators, they begin to swim in a tight ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That “Tight Ball” of fish represents the guests at your event.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SEvMhDi16S8/XmKL7fWKqxI/AAAAAAAAmqs/Q8KBliLCqM4AMmLYmupxa8DlVCHjEXXfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/PAY-Sharks-In-Bait-Balls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SEvMhDi16S8/XmKL7fWKqxI/AAAAAAAAmqs/Q8KBliLCqM4AMmLYmupxa8DlVCHjEXXfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/PAY-Sharks-In-Bait-Balls.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>The ball
attracts large, predatory fish such as barracuda’s, Tuna, Dolphin and then Sharks
which feed on them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The predatory
fish ranging in all sizes from smallest to largest (sharks) all feed on the
ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They quickly dart through it with
their mouths open gobbling up as many as they can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These “Predator Fish” represent Financial
Sponsors of all sizes ($1,000.00 Sponsors , $2,500.00 Sponsors, $5,000.00 and
finally the $10,000.00 plus Sponsor – The GREAT WHITE Shark).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>With your guest’s
numbers being high, the sponsors are attracted to them in hopes to advertise to
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember, all your guests are in
one place at one time, what better way to advertise to a businesses target
market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like ball of fish being fed on
by the larger fish, the one thing that will and does attract larger financial
sponsors is simply “Advertisement capabilities.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Ask yourself
this – does it matter that the Financial Sponsor loves your charity if they are
writing you a check for $5,000.00 check?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I would hope you would say absolutely not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The donated $5,000.00 can be used to fulfill
your charities mission.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>As a real life example, I told one of our many clients that potential major financial sponsors will not care about where their money is going to or what it will be used for. He later said and I quote "George, when you told me that I felt so angry I wanted to punch you in the nose. But after we landed over $100,000.00 in sponsorships, do you know how many asked me where the money was going? Not one. You are right and I would have never believed it." This same client one evening received a $5,000.00 sponsor and posted a their logo on Facebook announcing it. The very next morning, the sponsors competition called asking about what they gave to our client and in response, said "Come over and pick up a check for $5,000.00" all based on competition and advertisement.</b></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2dv0fuW84ZQ/XmKOIDP9pEI/AAAAAAAAmrE/ai0EHQz7ABEuMmJ1BVhKEB2dUtefAeHTwCEwYBhgL/s1600/85119632_2862227343838115_4759780867365142528_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2dv0fuW84ZQ/XmKOIDP9pEI/AAAAAAAAmrE/ai0EHQz7ABEuMmJ1BVhKEB2dUtefAeHTwCEwYBhgL/s320/85119632_2862227343838115_4759780867365142528_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Just this morning, I was speaking with Tony Lebron, our client from the New York Law Enforcement Assistance Program. Tony said he is living proof that it works. He posted a photo of him picking up a Sponsor's check on Facebook and in the comments, another person asked to sponsor too. It just works!!! Tony is living proof. </b></span></div>
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<b style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="font-size: 14pt;">So with that
in mind, prior to beginning to seek large financial Sponsors, you must prepare
a “Sponsorship Package” which includes advertisement/marketing of the
sponsor. The higher they sponsor, the
more advertisement/ marketing they receive.
Think of the many different ways you can provide marketing of the Sponsor
both outside of your event and inside then put it together in package at
different levels.</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>If you would
like to learn more about how to attract major financial sponsors or how to
build sponsorship packages, contact us at <a href="http://www.bwunlimited.com/">www.BWUnlimited.com</a>,
we would love to help you.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<br />bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-80474155273176109782020-02-12T15:23:00.001-08:002020-02-12T15:40:04.712-08:00The #1 WORST Enemy of a Charity Fundraising Committee<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The worst enemy of a charity planning
a fundraiser is “Negativity.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Negativity
has a tendency to spread like a disease if not cured quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">There are many causes for negativity
in a fundraising committee, however this is what I have seen on many occasions:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#1 – Control – A member of your committee
or team may want to be in charge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#2 – Destruction – A member of your
committee may not like the person in charge and they will do whatever they can
to ensure that the event is not a success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They do this in hopes that the person in charge will fail and look awful,
further making them look better.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#3 – Persistent Negativity – Some people
are always negative and live a pessimistic life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#4 – Hidden Agenda – A member of your
committee may have been in charge or a friend of theirs was in charge in the
past but was replaced by someone new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
the new person in charge is successful, their failure or their friend’s failure
will be revealed even more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will
also want to see that person removed so that they or their friend can return to
that role.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">There are many reasons for negativity,
however the best prescription for negativity is:</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#1 – Recruiting – Look for positive,
energetic people who want the event to be a success.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#2 – Tone – Set the tone with the
committee right from the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#3 – Prevention – If someone on your committee
is constantly negative, remove them immediately before it spreads to the other members.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You will waste more energy and time
trying to either change their behavior or simply dealing with them in order to
keep them happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember, if they are
negative, they will not do anything to help you and your charity be a
success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will cause arguments and
make life miserable for both you and your committee.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Look for people who will support your
efforts, not people who will detract from it. </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Building a strong team/committee is
the most important aspect and the foundation of a successful fundraiser. Do not just recruit everyone, carefully
select an All Star Team.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">If you would like to learn more
helpful tips on how to plan a highly successful fundraising event from the
beginning, check out our website at <a href="http://www.bwunlimited.com/">www.BWUnlimited.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-53350318308591768362020-02-02T10:15:00.000-08:002020-02-02T10:15:19.672-08:00CHARITIES BEWARE !!! Here are several simple tips to protect yourself from charity scams.<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Why am I writing this blog
today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday my friend and client
Patrick Cullinan send me several links to a charity who was hosting an
event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While looking both at the video of
the autographed auction items displayed and then further investigating the provider
of the items, it was clearly obvious that the autographed items were 100%
counterfeit autographs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Patrick is very
familiar with the autograph industry and after showing him the obvious clues,
he said and I quote “Now I see why you are so irritated with the charity fundraising
counterfeiters out there who scam charities.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How could I tell they were counterfeit (aka Fake)?</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When I see charities across the
United States being scammed or stolen from, it irritates me to the highest
degree mainly due to my background after spending (20) years as a Maryland
State Trooper. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I must say,
after spending (12) years trying to educate charities on the “Reality of the
Authentic Autograph World”, charities absolutely must educate themselves before
they partner with an charity autograph provider.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ask yourself this question – Would you
or your charity like to be featured on your local or national news about being
scammed or stolen from by a Charity Fundraising autograph counterfeiter?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you like your guest to take the item to
an authenticator and after finding out the autographs are FAKE, they demand
their money back?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you don’t mind
this, stop reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you do care,
read on and share this to all of your friends.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here are some easy tips for the uneducated
eye to use:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#1 – “Who Authenticated the items” - Are
the autographed items authenticated by an “Authentic Authenticator” or accepted
autograph authenticator?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(FACT:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are only a hand full of accepted
authenticators in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
authenticators are – <a href="https://www.spenceloa.com/" target="_blank">JSA James Spence Authentication</a> (</span></b><a href="https://www.spenceloa.com/">https://www.spenceloa.com/</a>)<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <a href="https://www.psacard.com/" target="_blank">PSA/DNA</a> (</span></b><a href="https://www.psacard.com/">https://www.psacard.com/</a>) <b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">or <a href="https://www.beckett-authentication.com/" target="_blank">Beckett</a> (</span></b><a href="https://www.beckett-authentication.com/">https://www.beckett-authentication.com/</a>).</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#2 – “Availability” – Are the items available
in the real world and if they are not, why not?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The autograph industry is available to anyone, in fact, when someone is
conducting an autograph signing, the entire autograph memorabilia industry is
notified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, how easy is it to get in
contact with Musicians or Celebrities?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most
“A” Celebrities and Musicians (mainly the iconic or well know musicians) must
be “chased.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does “chased”
mean?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone must find out where they
are or going to be and go there and wait till they come outside then ask for
their autograph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Iconic Musicians such
as the Rolling Stones, Jimmy Buffet, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Eric Clapton etc. live
all around the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is nearly
impossible to get them all at once – then to get them to sign a large amount of
autographs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#3 – “Price” – Plain and Simple,
authentic autographs are EXPENSIVE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
an example, a well known Charity Fundraising autograph provider provides
Rolling Stones full band signed items to charities for under $3,000.00.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I know of only several authentic
band signed Rolling Stones autographed items which are proven to be 100%
authentic that are slightly under $10,000.00 and a guitar, well that’s nearly
$17,000.00.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These items are
authentic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bruce Springsteen rarely
autographs anything, when you find an autographed item from him and it’s
authentic, it’s going to be very expensive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ql1a95TL5as/XjcQvK6-iBI/AAAAAAAAmfc/EpB80uSL1Qgz_u5Bf8AVitmaInvSbIseACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/hqdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ql1a95TL5as/XjcQvK6-iBI/AAAAAAAAmfc/EpB80uSL1Qgz_u5Bf8AVitmaInvSbIseACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/hqdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#4 – “Certificate of Authenticity” –
I hear this from many different charities “Well it has a Certificate of
Authenticity”, which means absolutely nothing!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone can make their own Certificate of
Authenticity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think about it, if the
autograph is fake, won’t the Certificate of Authenticity be fake as well?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They must realize that the Thief or Charity
Fundraising counterfeiter is going to provide a Certificate of Authenticity
just to make the item or items appear legitimate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, going back to #1, it’s all about WHO
AUTHENTICATED the autograph.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#5 – “All that Glitters isn’t gold” –
Charities get caught up in the “Glitz & Glamour” and don’t look passed
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like a large mouth bass who are
routinely caught by a shiny object flowing through the water, charities see an “autographed
Cowboy Hat” or a “Band Signed Guitar” and think “Wow, that’s really cool” and
just move forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you want to be the
charity who is responsible for selling a counterfeit item to your
supporters?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One provider is actually
showing on their website a Robert Plant & Jimmy Page autographed photo
which is as real as the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus rolled
into one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These items just simply DO NOT
EXIST.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">#6 – “Proof Positive” – This is
really easy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before accepting anything
for your Live or Silent Auctions, ask them who authenticated the items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then, there is a well known term in the
auction industry called “Provenance.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
definition of this is “Provenance - This term refers to the history of
ownership of the item being sold. An interesting or unusual provenance can add
to the value of a piece, such as when an item was previously owned by a famous
(or notorious) person, a popular celebrity, or an important historical figure.
Proof of provenance is critically important. Hearsay, or family legend does not
meet the criteria for provenance.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
provider should know where it was autographed, when it was autographed and if
they are REAL authentic autograph item provider, they will have either a photo
or a video showing it being autographed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Anyone real will have this to verify that they are not thieves or
counterfeiters.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Charities, please for your own
protection – learn what an authentic item looks like and the simple methods any
layman can use to ensure the items are real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Remember, the #1 way to protect yourself and your charity is – Who authenticated
it?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Just ask these simple questions?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Are the autographed items
authenticated by JSA, PSA/DNA or Beckett?
If they say no – RUN</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> What are the prices of these
fantastic items?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they aren’t very
expensive – RUN</span></b></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> What date and where were the items
autographed? If they don’t know – RUN</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Do you have exact proof such as a
photo or video of the items being autographed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If they don’t – RUN!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you follow this simple advice,
your guests will be protected and so will your charity.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Whether you get items from BW
Unlimited Charity Fundraising or someone else, first and foremost, we want you
to be protected 100% of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
have questions or concerns about your items or if you would like to learn more
about the “Reality of the Autograph World” – call us at 443.206.6121 or email
us through our website at <a href="http://www.bwunlimited.com/">www.BWUnlimited.com</a> – we would love to help you.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-38172672873048750682019-09-09T16:23:00.001-07:002019-09-09T16:23:21.491-07:00The "Secret" larger and highly successful charities don't want you to know!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i8ZngInPwGY" width="480"></iframe>bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-70038044025410806122019-08-28T05:59:00.000-07:002019-08-28T06:00:09.219-07:00Philosophy and the “Art of the Ask”: How to increase financial donations<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-epartrnjf6U/XWZ44Eq-PlI/AAAAAAAAlv4/w33KiHRpf0Qa-i-vDG6gN1pN62i1hlPrwCLcBGAs/s1600/original.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-epartrnjf6U/XWZ44Eq-PlI/AAAAAAAAlv4/w33KiHRpf0Qa-i-vDG6gN1pN62i1hlPrwCLcBGAs/s320/original.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The old days of placing an envelope
on the table at your charity fundraising event or passing around a basket,
called “Passing the Hat” are long gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact, if you did that today, you would find 98% of the envelopes empty.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So how do you get people to donate
money and more importantly, large sums of money?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a two-pronged strategy and approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But first we must understand that society
today has changed to a “What will you do for me?” mentality.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">In order to get more sponsors and to
entice more people to donate, we first must understand this:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#1 - Companies will donate or invest
in exchange for advertisement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more
advertisement they receive, the more they will donate or sponsor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#2 – Donors, that is people who will
or could make large donations, they too want something for their donations. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do these people want you ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be noticed or have their few seconds in
the spotlight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Understanding the philosophy above is
half the battle or the way to uncover the “Secret” to get more sponsors and
entice more people to donate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is
the other half – the “Art of the Ask.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Before I tell you or describe the “Art
of the Ask”, you have to recall the “Old Ways” of getting financial
donations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sending out hundreds of
mailers or by getting on the phone and cold calling a long list of possible
supporters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then getting into a lengthy
conversation with them about why you need their hard-earned money which
inevitably ends up as a “Telemarketer” approach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Recently, I saw that a friend who is
very affluent attended a charity fundraiser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Knowing he is wealthy, I asked him how much he donated to the cause, he
responded was “Nothing.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I asked
why, he said “Because no one asked us to donate.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He further went on to say that after looking
at everything they had to offer in the silent and live auction, nothing
appealed to him so he didn’t bid on anything either.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The fact that no one asked to donate
is a simplistic and ironic with the argument being “He should have donated on
his own without being asked.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, everyone
wants to be appreciated and to be thanked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When you place yourself at a higher importance than your donors, that is
a sure sign you are simply out of touch.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YSz-yjPU46s/XWZ5pUIXMxI/AAAAAAAAlwA/qljFIAwVq0wcpLU00Xeb_lik0KELAoZwACLcBGAs/s1600/change%2Bnothing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="612" height="207" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YSz-yjPU46s/XWZ5pUIXMxI/AAAAAAAAlwA/qljFIAwVq0wcpLU00Xeb_lik0KELAoZwACLcBGAs/s320/change%2Bnothing.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“The Art of the Ask” – Wouldn’t you
agree that this is a “What are you going to do for me” society?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Absolutely it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both donors and sponsors need to know there
is value in their donations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does
value mean?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simply put – what do they
get for their donation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not a
question, it’s a statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
already addressed why sponsors donate funds, however we briefly touched on why
people donate.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Before you burn me at the stake…yes
absolutely, people donate to help the mission of your charity, you’re
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, from my 25 years of
experience raising 100’s of millions of dollars for charities – we now know and
understand the power of simply asking them for a donation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You cannot, let me say that again…you can not
just expect it, you have to work for it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To answer your question “What should
we do?” or “How do we do it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First you
must hire a professional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having “Bob
the Weatherman” or “Sam the local politician” who does a great job acting like
an auctioneer simply won’t cut it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you’re getting surgery, would you ask the same people to cut into your
skin?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Absolutely not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t raising the maximum amount of funds the
goal of the fundraiser? You need a professional to get this done.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Whether you hire us, BW Unlimited
Charity Fundraising, or you hire one of the many professional charity
auctioneers across the United States, make sure you have a professional do
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That in and of itself is the most
important aspect here and the reason is, they understand the mechanics of how
to ask, when to ask and how to do it successfully.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">People at your fundraising event will
absolutely donate – BUT – they want to be asked and they want to be placed in
the spotlight when they do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s called “Pea Cocking”
or “Show Boating.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> You may not like that or agree, but it's reality. </span>They want others to
see them donating and love her applause when they do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, they may want to donate to impress someone
else in the crowd. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an example, one of
your board members is someone of importance in your community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another guest in the crowd wants to do
business with them so they will make a healthy donation simply to attract the
attention of your board member.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcdXgvnEun4/XWZ6NxLKroI/AAAAAAAAlwI/f4hbosBAbc4XrxZjF87DH_u-VN4L_m1hgCLcBGAs/s1600/260075_174087312652145_146809405379936_450272_4825134_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="720" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcdXgvnEun4/XWZ6NxLKroI/AAAAAAAAlwI/f4hbosBAbc4XrxZjF87DH_u-VN4L_m1hgCLcBGAs/s320/260075_174087312652145_146809405379936_450272_4825134_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This “Ask” is also referred to as the
“Fund a Need” or “Paddle Raise.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
would be amazed at how incredibly successful this is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have raised as much as 1.8 million dollars
at one event simply by asking. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if
you do not know what to do or how to do it, consult the advice of a
professional.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The “Art of the Ask” is an art
because it has to appeal to your guests and not be a “Beg” instead of an “Ask.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your guests can’t feel like you are putting
them on the spot, they won’t react.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">If we can help you understand and
successfully accomplish the “Art of the Ask”, contact us at <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.bwunlimited.com/"><span style="color: red;">www.BWUnlimited.com</span></a>.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.bwunlimited.com/TESTIMONIALS2014-bw.html" target="_blank">BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising</a> is the
Premier charity fundraising company in North America in a convenient “One Stop
Shop” setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does a charity fundraising
“One Stop Shop” mean?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have everything
you could possibly need and want all in one location, staffed by the nation’s
foremost experts in charity fundraising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Give us a call, we would love to help you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can reach us at 443.206.6121.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call anytime, we are here to help you.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-21410012912291763172019-08-24T14:22:00.001-07:002019-08-28T05:47:27.614-07:00Fundraising Tip of the Day: Understanding the need for the Fundraising ...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WnbAHwaIHcs" width="480"></iframe>bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-88408682968614053032019-08-22T12:09:00.001-07:002019-08-28T05:48:35.515-07:00NEW Charity Fundraising Vacation Package: Bahamas All Inclusive for 2<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-UUMx8suggw" width="480"></iframe>bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-51046668045428895182019-08-21T16:31:00.001-07:002019-08-21T16:31:31.123-07:00Explanation: What is the commission percentage or “Cut” BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising receives from a charity fundraising event?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1MCy6ftUdCw/XV3T0TS9AXI/AAAAAAAAlu0/snVB_t12pdY3nY109AgoREKRBQSgNItwwCLcBGAs/s1600/bigstock-Commission-Cons-And-Sign-38380228-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="900" height="259" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1MCy6ftUdCw/XV3T0TS9AXI/AAAAAAAAlu0/snVB_t12pdY3nY109AgoREKRBQSgNItwwCLcBGAs/s320/bigstock-Commission-Cons-And-Sign-38380228-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>This question
is often asked by charities who are asking for our help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, people who attend the large, highly
successful fundraising events we host wonder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They ask other people or just assume that we take a “Cut” of the funds
raised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This assumption comes out of
anger they have based on the size and scope of the event as well as how
financially successful the event appears to be especially when so many of the guests
are making large scale donations.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>To answer this
question bluntly – We DO NOT take a commission or a “Cut” of any kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We charge a very nominal flat rate such as
the venue where the event is being held.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No matter how much the charity raises, our service fee NEVER
changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does not matter if our
client raises a million dollars, we are not compensated any more – just the
flat rate.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qts2P27JilU/XV3UASCtJUI/AAAAAAAAlu4/cQ1lGRh5hKQVKdQhn58sFKyxk5h45uhgwCLcBGAs/s1600/download.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="179" data-original-width="281" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qts2P27JilU/XV3UASCtJUI/AAAAAAAAlu4/cQ1lGRh5hKQVKdQhn58sFKyxk5h45uhgwCLcBGAs/s1600/download.png" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>People often
ask “This makes no sense and is too good to be true.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reason it makes no sense is due to
unscrupulous people who require a “Cut” or a commission for helping a
charity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our company was founded on one
simple rule “Charity First” plus we believe that our integrity means more than
our profit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not believe that if someone
makes a large donation for our client at a charity fundraising event, that we
deserve a “Cut” of that donation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I
were the person making the donation and found out that the company or the
auctioneer received a “Cut” of my donation, I would be absolutely furious and
not make any donations whatsoever.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>In regard to
our company and services, the statement that “100% of the proceeds goes
directly to the charity” is 100% true.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yptwpqjKfV8/XV3UFUEc0CI/AAAAAAAAlvA/3fvdV-tGTVkVYwtEXDr1SMf51pQBK01igCLcBGAs/s1600/integrity-quote-e1530562911443-680x380.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="680" height="178" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yptwpqjKfV8/XV3UFUEc0CI/AAAAAAAAlvA/3fvdV-tGTVkVYwtEXDr1SMf51pQBK01igCLcBGAs/s320/integrity-quote-e1530562911443-680x380.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>In the end,
it’s all about ethics and morals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
right thing to do is always the right thing to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If our clients make $50,000.00, $100,000.00
or $1,000,000.00 – our fee does not change regardless and guaranteed in
writing.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Are we “Too
good to be true”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are good and what we
say is true, but we are definitely not too good to be true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just ask our 1,000’s of happy clients across
the country.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>In summary –
No we do not charge a commission or take a “Cut” of the proceeds raised at our
clients fundraising events.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>If you would
like to learn more about BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising and how we can help
you exceed your fundraising goals, contact us at <a href="http://www.bwunlimited.com/">www.BWUnlimited.com</a>, we would love to
help you.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<br />bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-73830820595370488362019-08-20T16:15:00.001-07:002019-08-28T05:49:43.144-07:00Fundraising Tip of the Day: Value for your money & how to raise more money<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IAeI3X_niXU" width="480"></iframe>bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-49954970067176067942019-08-16T12:07:00.001-07:002019-08-16T12:07:02.246-07:00NEW Charity Travel Package - Napa Valley Legacy Wine Tour for (2) - www....<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U6PTTyAiTGU" width="480"></iframe>bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-42110016502544861672019-08-15T14:38:00.001-07:002019-08-15T14:38:09.922-07:00Fundraising Tip of the Day: #1 place to Market/Advertise your event<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QlKQ_Q1uWxw" width="480"></iframe>bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-5374117207366181692019-08-14T07:29:00.001-07:002019-08-14T07:29:49.166-07:00Auction Package: Cabo San Lucas "All Inclusive" for 7 days for 2 people<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/21XEoLVuLOI" width="480"></iframe>bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432021087852205748.post-82058165770195691402019-08-14T06:46:00.001-07:002019-08-14T06:47:44.180-07:00Fundraising Tip of the Day: Knowledge is Power / Charity Competition<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iqOmm8ob02Q" width="480"></iframe>bwunlimitedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00482351849614200166noreply@blogger.com0