Archive for Fund Raising

Raising Money After Your Fund Raising Drive or Campaign is Over

By Alan
Thursday, April 28th, 2011

The problem with most fund raising drives or campaigns is that once the fund raiser is over, that’s it.  The money stops coming in.  Wouldn’t it be nice if you had a way to continue to make money after the campaign were concluded?

The answer lies in two phrases, “residual income,” and “continuous stream of donations.”

“Residual income,” means that money just keeps coming in.  One of the best known examples of residual income can be seen by examining the commission plans for many life insurance agents.   Many agents get paid over a period of ten or twenty years when they sell a life insurance policy, as long as the life insurance policy remains in force.  It’s common for an agent to make a 5% residual on a whole life sale for many years.  Another example of residual income is royalties.  Authors of books that sell many copies for years (backlists) enjoy an income that builds with each successful book that they write.

“Continuous stream of income,” means that there’s a way to keep making money with minimal effort.  Unlike residual income,  you’ll probably have to do something to keep this flowing, but the effort put in to maintaining an continuous stream of income is much less than the effort that’s required to start a new fund raiser.

It’s possible to create both using a model like this one:

1. Fund raise with a physical book that offers more than a standard book.  As an example, you might have a book with annual physical or e-book updates, or a subscription to website.  When orders come in for the updates or sequel, you’ll make money, even though your marketing efforts may have ceased a long time ago.

2. Customize the back cover of the book that you are using for fund raising.  Describe your organization and its goals.  Provide an address for making contributions.

3. Create a website that accepts orders for your books, and which also accepts donations. While setting up a website used to be a hard thing to do, it’s become relatively simple because there are a wide variety of web site generators that will let you set up a two to ten page website for free, and they look nice.  Or, you can make an arrangement with a web designer to create and maintain a website for you.  If you don’t have a lot of resources, try visiting a college campus and placing an ad up on a billboard.  Or call, a junior college’s placement office and see if they can recommend students for the job.

4. Create an autoresponder that thanks someone for their purchase, and also sends them updated information from time-to-time.  The updated information should be just that:  information that the person is interested in reading.  Every fourth or fifth time, it’s okay to ask for a donation, but do not over do it or people will lose interest in reading your updates.

If these concepts interest you, here’s a a solution that may fit your needs.

Categories : Enjoyable Fundraising

PTA Fundraising Idea – Beyond Bookfairs

By Alan
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

PTAs, schools and libraries need to fund raise.  They need new ideas that can raise a lot of money quickly.  Candy and cookies are fine, but many parents feel that they need ideas that will excite children and their parents about the effort.  One of my books, The Monster on Top of the Bed, was recently reviewed by the blog 2 Wired 2 Tired.  It’s a wonderful review, that includes pictures of the writer’s children with my book.  I suggest that you read it.  In that post the writer said:

Overall I have to say that the book was a huge success… especially since all the recent purchases at the school book fair have been totally ignored since this book came in the mail!

That statement got me to thinking about how this particular book has true value for PTAs as a fund raiser.  Children love the book.  They would not hesitate to tell any of their friends about it.  In fact, children would be delighted to take a special sponsored edition of the book that has a picture of their school on the back cover and explains how this book is being used to raise money for any number of things, including:

  • Books for the library
  • Books for the classroom
  • Construction
  • After school activities
  • Reading programs
  • and the list goes on and on.


The Monster on Top of the Bed comes in a variety of editions, and you can download the story in three languages for free.

Just imagine if a child you know came up to you, proudly pointed to the back cover of The Monster on Top of the Bed and said something like this:  “This is a picture of our school’s nurse.  We’re selling this book to remodel the nurse’s office and buy her things. Would you be interested in buying this book.   I’ve read it, and I love it.  You don’t have to pay for it now.  Just sign this sheet.”

Imagine on the sheet that you had your choice of a paperback version, a hard back, and a hardback with a book flap and a small book accompanied by a CD.  Imagine that you asked the student a question.  Imagine that she told you all about why she loved the book.  Might you buy the book for your children?

An example of how the back cover of The Monster on Top of the Bed can be customized to help with fundraising.

An example of how the back cover of The Monster on Top of the Bed can be customized to help with fundraising.

It’s easy to raise $2,500 if children ask

Children love the book, and they’re happier to sell it than to sell candy. When they sell candy they just give out a sheet. When they ask people to buy this book, they’re excited. They’ll talk for minutes about why the book is great. If 100 children ask 10 people to buy the book and half do buy that’s 500 copies sold, and if the PTA makes $5 a book, that’s $2,500, but that’s just the beginning.

It’s easy to raise more money through publicity

The publisher will create a special web page for the book that parents can tell their friends about by

  • phone
  • e-mail
  • putting links on their personal web pages, or
  • giving out a flyer.

This web page can be publicized in newspapers and through Public Service Announcements on the radio or TV.

Here’s an example of a press release.  The publisher will work with you to craft the right words to get results:

The PTA at the Roberts school is selling a special limited edition of Alan Jordan’s The Monster on Top of the Bed to raise money to remodel the nurse’s office. (Details about the remodel go here.) You can get your copy by going to http://www.NewNursesOffice.com. (Of course this would be a special URL.)

In The Monster on Top of the Bed scary monsters are converted into friends. “What are you talking about?” you say. I’m talking about a book (and many other resources) that you read and your children will read. When you run out of time to read and re-read the story (children love to it read it over and over) you can download free .mp3 files where professionals perform the story two pages at a time in English, Spanish and Italian.

The Monster on Top of the Bed gives children the magic words, the special mantra, to banish monsters whenever they want. More than that, The Monster on Top of the Bed gives children who are not afraid of monsters, the knowledge they need to prevent monsters from robbing them (and you) of their precious sleep.

Children from the Roberts school have recorded a message that says why they love the book. You can hear that by calling (area code) 555-1234. (Of course this would be a real number.)

Orders can be placed by calling (area code) 555-2364, or by sending a check for $20 to (name and address) or by visiting http://www.NewNursesOffice.com. (Of course this would be a special URL.)

You can raise lots more money through Facebook – Even When You’re on the Run

Through the power of a special “Facebook Fan Page,” parents can tap into the networking abilities of Facebook. Parents spend time on Facebook anyway. The publisher will outline a strategy that will make sales through Facebook to viral. (That means that many people hear about the book and buy it through word-of-mouth advertising.)

For more information visit the Sponsored Editions page of Monbed.com.

Categories : Fund Raising, Teachers

5 Uncommon Ways to Raise Money For Charity, Schools & Libraries

By Alan
Saturday, July 3rd, 2010

Uncommon ways to fund raise can turn a task that can be difficult and grueling into something that is fun and enjoyable. In this article we’ll explore some five easy-to-implement ideas that have excellent potential.

1. Sell a limited edition of a book that your organization sponsors.

Example of the back cover of a sponsored book, your logo would go here. Call (775) 453-6636 to explore opportunities.

Example of the back cover of a sponsored book, your logo would go here. Call (775) 453-6636 to explore opportunities.

A limited edition means that only so many copies will be published. Sponsored means that the back cover of the book relates the book to the goals of your organization. Suppose, for example, that you belong to a service club, like Rotary, Kiwanis, Soroptimists, that is raising funds to promote literacy.  Schools and libraries can also use this idea for fund raising. Wouldn’t it be interesting if you could raise money by saying something like this: “This book helps children make friends, fall asleep easily at night and teaches the Golden Rule. It also comes with a CD that read the story in three different languages. We’re so excited about it that we ordered a special limited edition for our organization. There are only 5,000 copies. When you buy this book, you’ll be promoting literacy and helping Rotary to raise money, and you’ll have a collector’s item.” As you make the presentation you point to the beautiful artwork, and show the back cover which describes Rotary and the goals of this fund raising drive.

Drop by http://www.MonBed.com to acquaint yourself my  children’s book and CD, The Monster on Top of the Bed. This book can be published in limited sponsored editions from 100 to 1,000 copies, in paperback, hardback and CD formats, and can help you to raise money easily.  If you’d like to contact me about this call (775) 453-6636, use the Contact Me Page or write to alan @ alanjordan.com.

2. Create a series of videos with links for people to Donate

Many organizations make videos that explain the value of their organization, but they leave out a key factor–a link that goes to a donation page. By taking advantage of certain software programs it’s possible to display one or more links at the end of a video. When viewers are moved by your message, they simply click. If you don’t have the link, they’re likely to forget to contribute.  Example

3. Partner with a public radio or TV station

Call a local public radio or TV station, and ask them how you might be able to partner with them during their next funding raising drive. The answers will vary from station-to-station, but you might find answers that you don’t expect. If you’re looking for visibility, just having a group of people volunteer and receive public acknowledgment for your efforts may help you to gain new members.

4. Put widgets on your website

The latest advances in web technology allow you to place a “widget” or “gadget” that belongs to another company on your web site. When people click on the widget, they buy a product from someone else, but you generate revenue. Widgets are a passive way to generate income. If your website gets a lot of traffic, the right widgets can raise substantial funds.

5. Raise money with Digital Downloads

You say that you’ve gone back to the well too many times, and the people who give to you are tired of digging into the pockets and donating. Ask “burned out donors” to spread the word to others about a digital product instead of asking them for additional contributions. They can do this by sending out an e-mail that talks about a product or service, and asking their friends and family to contribute.

Categories : Fund Raising
Tags : ,

Two Easy Ways to Raise Funds – No Cost Donations

By Alan
Saturday, June 5th, 2010
Non-profit organizations may qualify for a percentage of the subscription price of One for the Road by Alan H. Jordan

Non-profit organizations may qualify for a percentage of the subscription price of One for the Road by Alan H. Jordan

If you are a non-profit organization, and you are interested in fund raising at no cost to you, please complete this form. You may be selected to:

  • Receive 50% of the revenue I receive by selling access to read One for the Road
  • Have an appeal page on one of several sites, where readers can donate directly to your cause.

Also, please see http://www.CelebrityMagic.org.  It may be possible that your charity will appeal to celebrities who are interested in your cause.

Apply to Receive Donations

I'm willing to share a large percentage of the income that's generated by this site with non-profit, non-religious, organizations that are in alignment with my beliefs. If you're interested in receiving donations, please fill out the information below.
    Please select one of the above choices.
    Check any or all areas of interest.
  • In addition to my seeing this request, other people visiting the site will see this description, and may donate to you. Take the time to write a motivational paragraph or two. It may be worth a lot of money in the long run.
  • This description will be shown to people who are looking at search results on the internet.
  • Example: If you were a non-profit organization that helped homeless people, you might use: homelessness, housing for homeless, Interfaith Hospitality Network, homeless families. Hint: Use the Google Wonder Wheel if you can't think of the words.
  • Anything that feels right to you. Your first name, last name, Mr. & Mrs. ... etc.
  • Your work or home address is fine. I won't give it out to anyone, unless you say it is okay.
  • Fill this in only if you prefer to be contacted by phone.
  • If you have a picture you want to share, please attach it. Or, if it's easier for you to write out a document and attach it, that would be great.
Categories : Fund Raising, Non-Profits, Resources
Tags : , , ,

Fundraisers: An exciting concept

By Alan
Sunday, May 30th, 2010
John Ellis' Armada Kickstart request

John Ellis' Armada Kickstart request. Click to donate and support the arts.

Fundraisers: An exciting concept

I tend to be a cynical optimist.  (Is that an oxymoron?)  Perhaps, but every now and then something happens where the cyncism that I feel is actually overridden. That just happened to me when I learned about a friend and fellow writer, John Ellis, using a new service called Kickstart, to help him launch a movie trailer.

Here’s the link to his Armada project, and as you can see, I pledged a big $50, assuming that he raises $1,200.

I will appreciate it if you do not send me requests for donations.  I’m not an “angel.” I don’t intend to back many causes.  With that in mind, why did I pledge $50 to John, assuming that he raises the $1,200.

Reasons related to John

  1. I know John. We are both members of a writer’s group.
  2. I know that John has been working on this project for some time, and that he has a passion for it.  I know that his has had a Ning site about his Armada project. I want to support John.
  3. I’ve watched the “teaser” video on his web site, and I have expressed the opinion that it needs to be made more professionally.
  4. I didn’t feel that my giving him money to make it more professional would made a significant difference.  I do feel that pledging a possible $50 (which means he still has to raise another $1,150 before my money is paid) could make a difference, particularly since I’m the first one to pledge.  That may be the boost that he needs.

Reasons related to me

  1. He gave me a good idea.   Good idea are worth something to me.  I can see putting this idea to use in a variety of ways, including:
    • Taking  The Monster on Top of the Bed to the next level.  This book/CD set is a winner!  (Check out the reviews on the site.) but it needs to go to the next level and be made into a full-size children’s book as well fund the promotion of that book for use in schools and library programs.
    • Successfully launching the concept of helping students (and adults) to write by having them participate in the development of The End of All Times, a sci-fi novel in progress described on http://www.Harmony123.com, the purpose of which is to help humanity realize that we had better shed our ego-centric actions or our race may not survive much longer.
  2. I can see this idea being useful to support schools, libraries and charitable organizations in which I believe.  Organizations like
    • The Rotary Club or Reno Centennial Sunset - I was a charter member.  I’m not active now because of scheduling conflicts, but I still hold Rotary near and dear to my heart.
    • Family Promise – I volunteer regularly for the Interfaith Hospitality Network part of this organization.
    • The L.A.D.S. Foundation – A non-profit that helps to make our roads safer through driver education classes that use sophisticated driver simulation technology.
  3. It feels good to help John.
  4. I like the idea of supporting creativity in general.

Reasons related to credibility

  1. Kickstart appears to be owned or sponsored by Amazon.com, and that make me feel as though I won’t be throwing my money into a scam.
  2. Kickstart has a tie-in with Facebook, which will make it easier to effectively promote a drive on line.

You now know why I’ve decided to support John Ellis in his efforts to raise money.  Perhaps you’ll find that supporting him will also benefit you.

Update: I’ve created my own Kickstarter.com project. Please check it out.

Categories : Fund Raising
Tags : , ,