Global PeaceWorks Fundraising Guide

Thank you for volunteering with Global PeaceWorks.

Global PeaceWorks is made possible by the support we receive from communities around the world. Volunteers of all nations enlist the support of their communities. Most volunteers in developed nations perform fundraising to support Global PeaceWorks projects.

The following guidelines will help you raise funds for projects.

Principle #1 - Ask, ask, ask

You can raise money IF YOU ASK FOR MONEY.
If you don't ask, you won't get anything.

What to do…

Make a list of everyone you know. Everyone has potential to help you.

a. Rank your potential donors into an ‘A’ list and a ‘B’ list. The ‘A’ list is for the people of whom you are most hopeful will give. The ‘B’ list is people you don’t know as well.

While many donations will come based on relationships you have with people, many other donations will be given purely in support of the vision of Global PeaceWorks and the projects we support. (this is where many strangers and local business owners can help)

Write a fundraising letter. Explain how the donation will make an impact. (see sample letter)

a. Keep it short and simple (KISS) – up to one page (not more!). Too much information will lose some donors. Many of your donors will know nothing about international service and development, but they will want ot support you or a good cause like building schools, a peace center, or religious peace.

Ask for a specific amount of money. When you say "contribution," some people can give $10 and others can give $1000. Tell people how much you want. Businesses and professional people can usually contribute more than students. Don't be afraid to ask people on your list $100, $300 or even $1000.

Write a time limit - this conveys a sense of urgency and increases the likelihood someone will act.

Make it convenient. If someone is interested then get a commitment. A check is best. A post-dated check is OK if necessary.

Last resort is a written commitment or pledge to donate.

Listening to people is VERY important. Listening is a form of love. People will give more when they feel understood. Also you can learn to understand if your approach is working when you listen.

Offer incentives. Many people who contribute simply want recognition and praise. Write a thank you letter and include a printed list of your supporter’s names. Host a small open house before you leave to publicly recognize and thank your supporters.

Write thank you notes! BEFORE you leave and a more detailed one when you return.

Offer a presentation for when you return. Offering to give a slide show is a great way to secure funding from religious organizations, civic groups, alumni associations, etc.. Such a presentation helps people understand how their money was spent. Pictures of you working overseas are great too. Global PeaceWorks will provide you with electronic photos on a CD within eight weeks of your trip.

Expand your base and build your network. The more contributions the better. Go beyond your friends and immediate family members.

Always follow up. You have to get on the phone with the small businesses, the civic and religious groups, and your friends and relatives to let them know that you really do need their support.

a. One follow up call can make the difference between their sending a check or pushing the request to the back burner and never getting to it.

FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES

UNIVERSITIES

If you are a student, one major source of funding is your college or university. Many school clubs have funds for student activities. See if your club is eligible. Many departments also have funds for projects and programs. If your trip can be integrated into a course, there may also be some funds that could be used for your program.

LOCAL BUSINESS

Local (and smaller) businesses are far more likely to support you than large corporations. The key is to make a link between the owner of the business and you or someone close to you. Approach the business with a letter first, enclosing all relevant material and a pledge form, then follow up with a phone call. Small businesses like th PUBLICITY they can receive from supporting you.

SERVICE CLUBS/PLACES OF WORSHIP

Service clubs such as Rotary and religious groups such as churches and temples are excellent sources for fundraising. Follow the "Who Do You Know" principle.

The best course of action is to contact as many clubs in your area as possible and ask to give a presentation to their club. Many clubs have breakfast, lunch or dinner meetings where you can ask to speak for 15 - 20 minutes to present your request and explain what you will be doing. This is your chance to sell the program. Remember, you are not asking for money for a vacation. You are asking for a donation to do volunteer work overseas to make a difference in the world. Let them know that you are willing to come back and show them slides or a video of the program when you return.

After the meeting write a follow-up letter thanking them for letting you speak and reiterating your request for money. Be specific about how much money you are requesting and how it will be used. Be realistic about the amount you are requesting. A total of $200 - $400 is probably reasonable.

EVENTS

When planning an event make sure the expected amount of income is worth the amount of time and money put into the event. If you spend 80 hours and $500 to raise $1,000, is it worth it?

Sales - One traditional way to raise money is through bake sales, candy sales, garage sales, etc.

Parties and other social events - Try a simple pizza party where you ask people $20 to come and enjoy Pizza and Soda and talk about the program.

MEDIA

Perhaps one of the best ways to promote awareness about your upcoming adventure and to raise funds for it is through the local media.

A project press release will be available 4 months before the project starts. You can circulate the press release to publications with which you may be affiliated such as your local newspaper (smaller papers are easier to get in) Having a short piece published anywhere can make a big difference.

The Donation Process

It is essential that you understand how the donation process works before you start your fundraising efforts. In order to ensure that donations can be credited to your program fee, please take a moment to consider the following:

There are different requirements for different forms of payments

1. Checks - all donations should be made out to “Global PeaceWorks.” Make sure you send us the complete mailing address of the donor.

2. Credit Card - donors can contact the Global PeaceWorks office and make a donation with a MasterCard or Visa credit card.

3. Cash - is not accepted by Global PeaceWorks. You may convert cash to checks but we cannot provide a receipt to someone who gives cash.

Keep a log of all donations received
(this is required for money donated to Global PeaceWorks!)

The log must include the donors name, address, the amount and the date. Also note if they want to be on the Global PeaceWorks mailing list. Anonymous donations are certainly accepted, but should be listed as “anonymous”.

Send in donations to the Global PeaceWorks office periodically - weekly or bi-weekly is recommended, so that they can be credited to your account and not lost amidst other things.

Payment Deadlines

If you are fundraising, your program fee balance is due 60 days before the start date of your program. You may continue fundraising until the start date of your program.

If for any reason you cancel or postpone your volunteer program, donations can not be refunded to the donor (this is an IRS rule). In the event of a postponement, you may use the donation money for another program (up to the end of the next calendar year). If you decide to cancel, all donations will be transferred to our scholarship fund for candidates from developing nations.

If you have any questions, please contact us at

info@GlobalPeaceWorks.org