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Creative Fundraising Tips

Some random thoughts on fundraising plans. Well, the thoughts are not entirely random, being inspired by Edward De Bono's book Serious Creativity - read it if you get a chance. If you haven't read the book, you'll still be able to learn a few things here. De Bono's Thinking Course is another recommended read, and a shorter introduction to De Bomo's ideas.

The first step in fundraising is, obviously, to make a plan. You know the basics of making a fundraising plan or marketing plan. Here are a couple of things to think about before you go beyond the planning stage.

1. What is the overall objective of your fundraising effort?
2. What specific objectives do you need/want to achieve along the way?
3. What are the aims/purposes/goal of your organization?
4. What fundraising methods might support the organization's purpose?

Make sure you take notes. Spend a few minutes thinking about each question and taking notes.

Deciding how to actually raise the money, or solicit the in-kind contributions, involves making a bunch of decisions and generating lots of ideas. Well, that's how I think it should be. If you agree, you'll want to look for new ideas. There are a few easy ways to do this.

1. Steal ideas - including ideas that seem too big or too strange to work for your organization.
2. Concentrate for a few minutes on how to use your Web site, social media sites, and personal connections. Spend a few minutes on each subject and take notes.
3. Collaborate by challenging your staff to come up with new ideas and share them.
If you come up with a new idea, one that seems absurd, don't jsut throw it out!

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