|
 This article outlines five innovative ways to put this low-cost investment to work in generating non profit funds.
If there’s one thing nonprofit
organizations are almost always in need of, it’s reliable sources
of income rolling in through memberships, grants, events and donations.
But part of the challenge involved with the yearly fundraising cycle
lies not just in making your appeal, but in keeping it fresh and making
it fun. One of the ideas that offers the most fundraising bang for your
nonprofit buck is using custom stickers.
Custom stickers can be made
to order with your name and logo and can include special slogans and
catchphrases that help to build awareness of your charity in the community
while raising much-needed funds. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
1) Sell them
Custom stickers are an extremely
inexpensive investment as far as fundraising products go, offering as
much as 300% mark-up. Sell your organization’s custom stickers at
fundraising events, at booths in fairs and festivals where you might
be exhibiting, and anywhere your supporters, current or potential, might
be gathered.
2)
Use them as a membership incentive
Have a spring membership drive?
Use custom stickers as part of your thank-you for new members. Your
supporters will appreciate the thoughtful gesture—and advertise their
support of your organization. Consider a design your supporters will
be proud to show off: “I brake for the arts” for a kids’ art program,
for example, or “Fish Lover” for a conservation organization benefiting
a river. Change the concept each year to keep it fresh and encourage
annual renewals.
3) Honor your major donors
Have a multi-tiered donation
platform with memorable or intriguing names? Honor your donors with
a custom sticker designed in conjunction with a local artist as part
of your overall thank-you package.
4) Send them to foundation
staff
Has your organization received
grants for programs or services in the last year? Consider adding
the personal touch to your final reports and grant updates by including
a few of your organization’s custom stickers, with a handwritten thank-you
note for those foundation staff who have assisted in ministering your
grant.
5) Use them as incentives
for filling out surveys
If your organization presents
events or workshops, getting audience-members, supporters and/or participants
to fill out surveys is one of the best ways to collect the kind of data
that makes for strong foundation grants. Offering a free sticker as
an incentive is an easy way to encourage this.
With a good working knowledge
of nonprofit fundraising basics, custom stickers can be an important,
low-cost tool in both raising funds and promoting the visibility of
your cause in the community.  
|
