Monday, February 16, 2015

Are you running on a Charity Fundraising "Hamster Wheel"?

If this my Blog makes you mad, good because that means you are listening and hopefully learning, that’s my role in life…to help you learn and become a successful fundraiser. 

Over the many years that we have been helping nonprofits and benefit fundraisers across North America, I have seen or heard some of the most crazy fundraisers you have ever heard of.  What is shocking is, the amount of work, time and money goes into it with little to no success.  The charities are working their butts off, running as hard as they can but never seem to get where they want to go like a Hamster on a Wheel.  Running, running and running as hard as they can without moving an inch.  But time and time again, these charities climb back onto the wheel and start again.  Are you running on a fundraising hamster wheel?   

We were given the ability to run for a reason.  Either running from Lions, Dinosaurs, bad guys or tragedies.  But we were given that ability to ensure that we arrive there quickly.  It’s almost like climbing onto a treadmill.  We run and run and run but don’t move a foot.  The same holds true with these outlandish, fundraising methods.  Have you ever heard the term “Don’t reinvent the wheel”?  Most smaller charities seem to think that the methods that the “Big & Rich” (aka “Successful”) won’t work for them or they are “overdone”…these are just excuses.   

Recently, I have had the pleasure of meeting and partnering with two great men whose only desire is to help youth sports teams and their families across North America – Phil Gaughan and Matt Berardicelli of Total Sports Solutions Unlimited (for more information on how TSS Unlimited can help your team, please visit their website at www.TSSUnlimited.com).  While talking with them, they began to tell me about all the financials hurdles sports teams face while trying to attend and play in tournaments across the nation.  More importantly, the fees take an incredible strain on the families whose children are participating must place an enormous financial strain on them.  These fees don’t even include the yearly costs for being a part of the team, the equipment costs, time and even the commitment.  I applaud parents who decide to commit to something that big.  I too am a father whose son is an athlete, so I know and understand what it takes. 

I met Phil Gaughan several months ago when a parent asked if I would help a team he coached – 1st State Hornets in Dover, Delaware.  I jumped in and we started planning an incredible fundraising event called and now known to everyone as the famous "2015 FSH Sports Bash."  Phil and several of the other coaches had the same initial thought most charities do about our services, they are “Too Good to be True” or “It’s got to be a scam.”  Right from the beginning, nearly as soon as we started, they started to experience and overwhelming amount of success.  Confidently, it is something I am accustomed to when helping a charity plan a fundraising event.  The Sports Bash isn’t even until March 21st of 2015 and already they have profited 2 times the amount then they have ever attempted to raise.  Needless to say, Phil is a big fan and now good friend of mine. 

But after hearing the costs, I asked Phil and Matt what methods the teams use to fundraise.  This is when I nearly fell out of my chair.  The reason is, the amount of time and work it takes to do this is incredible with little to no profit.   

Now, if this offends you, then you better start thinking about changing your methods because it is reality.  Here are several methods Teams and smaller fundraisers that are used: 

Super bowl block pool               Restaurant nights           Shaking a can

Bat a thon                                    Selling mulch                    Lottery match

Pizza cards                                   Selling candy bars            Baked sale

Poker night                                  Quarter auctions             Gift wrapping with Amazon

Christmas tree/wreath sale      Car wash                           Gofundme accounts

Gift certificate raffles                Sell t shirts                        50/50 Raffles

Money Wheels                           Plant Wheels                    And the list goes on and on….

After you take the amount of time it took the plan one of these fundraisers and to actually execute it, then remove the actual costs divided by the amount of people it took to do it…I can bet, in fact I would put my house on it, that you (whoever is reading this) would not work your job for that.

But somehow, charities accept it…they accept their financial failure.  But do know what happens, these unsuccessful methods only push you to climb right back up onto the “Hamster Wheel” and starting running. 

Charities MUST utilize the methods that the “Big & Rich” charities are utilizing!!!  Why, because these methods are successful!!!  I am not even going to begin to describe how demeaning it is to stand out in front of a store begging for money. 
 
When a charity fundraiser says that these methods will not be successful in their demographic or any reason why they can not use these successful methods, they are just excuses for failure - plain and simple.  In fact, on most occasions when a charity tells me that that is what they want to do, I back away from them because they are not willing to learn.  Some people just don't want to succeed, a belief which simply goes without understanding.

Charities must change their fundraising methods to give people what they want instead of begging them to do something they do want to do in the first place.  Charities must focus on successful methods that are “Tried and True.” 

The known is, and take it from a 6 ft. 5, 280 pound red meat eater, people like to

Eat, Drink and have a good time with their friends.  That’s it…there is nothing else.  I love a good time, love good food and cold drinks.  I love to laugh, hang out…relax and let my hair down (what very little hair I have lol). 

Plan your fundraising event accordingly.  Give people what they want…and you won’t have to beg them to do it.  If you would like help planning, hosting and managing a “Highly Successful Charity Fundraiser”…give us a call or contact us at www.BWUnlimited.com – or – or climb right back up on the “Hamster Wheel” and start running again. 


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BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising is a North American Charity Fundraising Leader in a “One Stop Shop” convenient setting.  BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising has helped 1,000’s of Charities, Non Profits and Benefit Fundraisers across North America exceed their fundraising goals year after year while putting them on fundraising track of success.  If you would like more information on how BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising can assist you and your fundraising efforts, contact us at www.BWUnlimited.com.  

2 comments:

  1. Such an interesting article, I've really enjoyed reading this. I have recently discovered Tony Charalambides fundraising blog - I think you'd really like it, you should check it out.

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