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More Creative Fundraising Ideas

Last time I promised to write more about creative fundraising, among other applications of creative thinking. There are many obvious ways to raise money. So, what place is there for creative thinking about fundraising? Your staff and volunteers are probably busy enough as it is.

The urge to stick with traditional fundraising methods is probably strong for just that reason. Traditional steps like applying for grants and courting businesses and writing fundraising letters work fairly well most of the time.

So, here is an way to escape the normal fundraising pattern, without too much fuss.

Take a few minutes to think about your specific fundraising goals. Be specific and be as comprehensive as you can be in just a few minutes.

Now take a few minutes to note which fundraising goals really need money and which could be handled by assembling volunteers or getting donations of goods and services.

Repeat for the other goals.

As you look over each fundraising goal and think of ways to close the gap between what you have and what you need, viable ideas may occur. This may really be all you need.

In other cases, you may need to be systematic in your search for new tactics, or a new strategy.

Try some lateral thinking to generate new ideas. To be a bit more specific, and helpful, indulge in some wishful thinking, then work backwards from your fantasy state to find practical steps you could take.

A low-income apartment building a few blocks from my flat here in southeast DC burned many months ago. The shell is still there, but the building is a total loss. For the sake of discussion I'll say the ruined building and lot are worth $400,000. This is Washington, DC after all!

In my imagination I could see that lot occupied by a "green" apartment building that offered affordable apartments. Where would I get the money for that? Is there a grant or loan I could use to help cover the cost of the building. Could I get Habitat for Humanity to help take away some of the usable bricks and plumbing fixtures and so forth? Who would donate their services to take away the rest? Could I exchange advertising on the demolition site for help removing the debris? The building is on a corner where one of the streets is quite busy.

That new "green" building has to be designed by someone. Could I get drawings donated by an engineering firm. If I got to that point could I get a grant from Lowes or Home Deport? What about a grant or interest-free loan from the DC government?

That's the sort of creative thinking you need to do.
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