When Donated Items Attack!!!

I have seen it all when it comes to donated items.  Sometimes, I sit back and scratch my head wondering why in the world charities would even ask for some of the craziest donations.  But, as a fundraiser, I totally understand their mentality.  Volunteers going after donations always have the best of intentions and always think “WOW, this is going to help us raise of ton of money!!!”

I hope you’re reading this and honestly listening to my advice.  So, let me give you a very real life scenario.  You ask a business to donate and they tell you it’s retail.  Volunteers think that’s the price it’s going to bring at their event.  But the reality is, it’s only going to bring 1/3 of the value.  This is “Reality of Fundraising” ladies and gentlemen.

No one attends a charity event looking to purchase a “Tax Preparation” or “Life Coaching Sessions.”  They will always do bad.  Items which are not “Exciting” will always crash and burn.  What is the most important issue to understand is, what will that tell the Donor?  I have seen Donor’s get up and leave the event because they were angered how little their item went for. 

Another issue is, I have seen many times charities listing the retail value of an item both with the item and prior to it in their inventory.  Charities are under the false impression that because the item or items retail for a price, that that is what it will or should bring in the Auction – FALSE.  If you list the retail price with the item, you are telling the possible donors to not bid anywhere near that – EVERYONE IS LOOKING FOR A DEAL. 

Also, understand that when businesses donate an item to you, they are more times than not giving you items that are not selling in their stores.  Be smart about what you’re going after, just because it’s donated doesn’t mean it’s good.  The last thing you want to have is an auction that looks like a “Yard Sale” or “Flea Market.”  Keep in mind how the donor will feel if the item brings very little or doesn’t sell. 

There are definite ways to ensure that you and your charity receives “Top Dollar” and more for donated items.  If you would like to learn how, contact us today at www.BWUnlimited.com.

BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising is a North American Charity Fundraising leader in a “One Stop Shop” convenient setting.  BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising can help you plan, manage and host your next charity fundraising event so that your event is the best it can possibly be.  There are many mistakes novice fundraisers make while planning their fundraisers, BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising will direct you around all the pitfalls to a very successful event.  Contact us at www.BWUnlimited.com.

 

Episode #24 - Charity Fundraising Myths - www.BWUnlimited.com

Episode #23 - How do I sell out my next charity fundraising event? www....

Charity Event Branding www.BWUnlimited.com

In order to take your local small scale fundraiser to a nationally known event, you first have to build a "brand."

Brand identity is what you see in the following logos:  Under Armour, Nike, McDonald's etc. 

In terms of a charity fundraising event, identify what image you wish to be clearly associated with the event.  Then build your marketing platforms around that image.

That brand must remain consistent through out everything you do.

A real life example is the upcoming Blues Brothers Bash being held in support of the Prince George's County Police Foundation and the Prince George's County Police Department K9 Section.  The brand for this event is the Blues Brothers. 

That imagery is maintained first in the event flyer then in the T shirts and event tickets. 

This consistency will build immediate brand recognition for the event.

Episode #22 - How to attract BIG Spenders - www.BWUnlimited.com

The "2016 Blues Brothers Bash"

We are extremely to be helping the Prince George's County Police Department K9 Section and the Police Foundation with the "2016 Blues Brothers Bash" Charity Fundraising event in order to raise the funds they need to begin to build a K9 training center.

This event has varying Sponsorship levels along with underwriting opportunities for businesses and individuals who wish to support them.  This incredible event will consist of a Live Auction, Silent Auction and Raffles for an incredible array of prizes.

BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising is a North American Charity Fundraising Leader in a " One Stop Shop " convenient setting. www.BWUnlimited.com

Experiment - How to plan & host a highly successful fundraising event

We are going to do an experiment and here is what we are going to test.  Now, before I explain what the experiment is, I first have to explain to you what we know the result will be – INCREDIBLE SUCCESS!!!

Every day, I scream at the top of my lungs “Charities are doing it wrong.”  What I’m talking about is, charities all across North America plan their event around the charity and about the charity.  As you know, I am a very direct kind of guy which some people like but most people don’t.  Being direct, I say something on a very routine basis that truly makes people mad, here it is “People don’t care.” 

So with that in mind, let’s talk about an event being held on February 5^th.  The area isn’t important; the charity isn’t important – what’s important is this – if the people who are a part of the charity LISTEN!!! 

But, so that I’m providing you the information, it’s for the Prince George’s County Police Department K-9 Unit. 

I can hear it now “Well people will support it because of the dogs…awwww” – No, WRONG!!! 

Here is what I am doing; I am “Branding” the event.  Making the event memorable by giving it an image.  We are calling it the “2016 Blues Brothers Bash.”  Get it, “Blues Brothers”….brothers in blue?  Now, this event will most likely sell out at 700 people.  In fact, I’ll guarantee it.  But – here is what the Experiment is – if we create an event that’s not about the charity, what happens? 

By doing this experiment and sharing it with you, I am going to show you why charities are going wrong today.  The issue is, there are over 104 Million Charities in the United States.  Charity Fundraising is a competition!!!  If there wasn’t true, charities would walk out to their mailbox each day and pull out a huge stack of envelopes which have big checks in them.  Let’s be real for a second, it just doesn’t happen. 

For instance, just last night I met with a charity that is having a problem growing their attendance.  Amongst a few other reasons such as an abnormally high ticket cost, the charity was trying to advertise the event as all about the charity and not about the event.  That’s the reason people aren’t coming!!!

So, let’s sit back and watch as this unfolds.  Guaranteed, doing it the BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising way, it sells out.  Let’s watch!!!

BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising is a North American Charity Fundraising Leader in a “One Stop Shop” convenient setting.  The expert fundraisers at BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising can consult & coach you and your committee to have an incredible event which sells out year after year after year while guiding you through the myriad of fundraising pitfalls.  To learn more, contact us at www.BWUnlimited.com.