The Perfect Fundraiser for the Best and Worst of Times by Marvin Yakos
Tough times do not mean business as usual in the fundraising world. As competition for dollars heats up, fundraisers need revenue to continue vital services and operations going in our communities. It�s a sad reality that slashed budgets and downsizing have become commonplace, affecting the bottom line of most nonprofits. Many for-profit and nonprofits alike now have to focus on survival as much as they do on helping others. As fundraising dollars become scarcer, especially in these times of economic strife, smart and effective fundraising techniques have become essential. It may be time to re-evaluate your fundraising methods and find a better solution.
Regardless of the amount of money your organization intends to raise, fundraising should be simple, effective and perpetual, and it should satisfy everyone that participates in the program. Utilizing the right product at the right price is paramount. You don�t want to leave a sour taste, and if your donor is not satisfied, your fundraiser will flame out quickly and you will have a much steeper hill to climb.
As of 2010, approximately 1.3 million 501(c) (3) organizations were registered with the IRS and these nonprofits have been raising more than $300 billion a year. With nearly as many types of fundraisers as there are institutions, what is the best approach for organizations that must sell products or services to obtain those much needed funds? My Zip, Inc. is an innovative advertising company that has come up with a simple, practical and long-term fundraising solution that is as effective as it is refreshing.
My Zip�s smart, patent-pending system utilizes two important keys to fundraising success, a wide audience and the support of businesses in the community. If the outcome of your fundraiser brings the community together and keeps them in a cooperative posture, you will not only continue to raise revenue, but build key relationships and promote the name of your organization and its cause long-term.
My Zip�s outstanding fundraiser can be woven right into the grass roots fabric of your local community. My Zip has an exclusive program for select businesses that stand out by zip code and practice cause-related marketing as one aspect of its comprehensive advertising program. For these local businesses, there is no more powerful marketing tool than a product that triggers measurable benefit for every participant, including their own sales and visibility, consumer�s satisfaction and nonprofit revenue.
It has been thoroughly proven that the consumer feels so much better about a purchase if there is some social or environmental good associated with it. The National Center for Charitable Statistics estimated that nearly 70% of the $1.4 trillion generated in 2008 came from the sale of goods and services. Once a local business is tied to a cause recognized by consumers, that business is elevated to an elite position witnessed by consumer behavior. In such a hybrid model, a nonprofit and a for-profit are linked in a long-term program that fulfills the needs of both. Generating income revenue frees an organization from the dependence on philanthropic dollars and frees management to focus on its mission. And, as long as the business efforts are closely related to the mission at hand, nonprofits with earned revenue can retain all the advantages of pure nonprofits, including tax exemptions. Nonprofits can include teams, clubs, schools, religious organizations, charities, and so on.
2004 Cone Corporate Citizenship Study Results says, �Our report is the nation�s longest study of American attitudes toward corporate support of social issues,� says Carol Cone, CEO of Cone, a Boston-based strategic marketing firm. �This study, in a series of research spanning over a decade, shows that in today�s climate, more than ever before, companies must get involved with social issues in order to protect and enhance their reputations.� In 2004, 86% of consumers said that they would likely switch from one brand to another that is about the same in price and quality, if the other brand is associated with a cause. This same overwhelming majority want businesses to communicate their efforts. �This suggests to us that advertising support of social issues without �walking the talk� in other areas can be counterproductive and poor business strategy,� says Cone.
www.myziptag.com uses a simple and effective product called a ZipTag to tie local businesses and nonprofits together by zip code. Consumers put ZipTags on their key chains or other valuable property and their ability to save travels with them. Consumers receive a solid value with the ZipTag as they save and also receive a property retrieval service for keys, cameras, cell phones, iPods and other valuable property. Because it is inexpensive and because of its inherent real value, ZipTags can often produce impressive unit sales per participant.
My Zip utilizes 4 vital cornerstones in the community, namely local businesses, fundraisers, consumers and local Community Specialists, who work with all participants to make the program a success every step of the way. Exclusive local businesses provide discounts and exclusive offers for the ZipTag. Fundraisers add an element of cause-related marketing for the local business and in the process receive much needed revenue and visibility. ZipTags are a perennial favorite, good for a one year period and bear an expiration date. This creates a built-in market for repeat sales. Their tangible value, small size, light weight, and easy handling requirements make selling ZipTags a breeze. Everyone in the community is a potential customer and donor!
Uniting these vital community elements with the simple ZipTag creates the perfect fundraiser for the long-term. For only a few dollars, consumers save and protect their valuable property, and they still get to be the good guy and help worthy organizations in their communities. Fundraisers get tied to consumers and exclusive businesses in the community that will support them perpetually. Local businesses stay in the spotlight, increase sales and are also known as the good guys. Uniting these vital community elements with the simple ZipTag creates the perfect fundraiser for the long-term. For only a few dollars, consumers save and protect their valuable property, and they still get to be the good guy and help worthy organizations in their communities. Fundraisers get tied to consumers and exclusive businesses in the community that will support them perpetually. Local businesses stay in the spotlight, increase sales and are also known as the good guys. My Zip�s local Community Specialists share their enthusiasm around the community making sure that the local business, fundraiser and consumer all benefit!
Regardless of the amount of money your organization intends to raise, fundraising should be simple, effective and perpetual, and it should satisfy everyone that participates in the program. Utilizing the right product at the right price is paramount. You don�t want to leave a sour taste, and if your donor is not satisfied, your fundraiser will flame out quickly and you will have a much steeper hill to climb.
As of 2010, approximately 1.3 million 501(c) (3) organizations were registered with the IRS and these nonprofits have been raising more than $300 billion a year. With nearly as many types of fundraisers as there are institutions, what is the best approach for organizations that must sell products or services to obtain those much needed funds? My Zip, Inc. is an innovative advertising company that has come up with a simple, practical and long-term fundraising solution that is as effective as it is refreshing.
My Zip�s smart, patent-pending system utilizes two important keys to fundraising success, a wide audience and the support of businesses in the community. If the outcome of your fundraiser brings the community together and keeps them in a cooperative posture, you will not only continue to raise revenue, but build key relationships and promote the name of your organization and its cause long-term.
My Zip�s outstanding fundraiser can be woven right into the grass roots fabric of your local community. My Zip has an exclusive program for select businesses that stand out by zip code and practice cause-related marketing as one aspect of its comprehensive advertising program. For these local businesses, there is no more powerful marketing tool than a product that triggers measurable benefit for every participant, including their own sales and visibility, consumer�s satisfaction and nonprofit revenue.
It has been thoroughly proven that the consumer feels so much better about a purchase if there is some social or environmental good associated with it. The National Center for Charitable Statistics estimated that nearly 70% of the $1.4 trillion generated in 2008 came from the sale of goods and services. Once a local business is tied to a cause recognized by consumers, that business is elevated to an elite position witnessed by consumer behavior. In such a hybrid model, a nonprofit and a for-profit are linked in a long-term program that fulfills the needs of both. Generating income revenue frees an organization from the dependence on philanthropic dollars and frees management to focus on its mission. And, as long as the business efforts are closely related to the mission at hand, nonprofits with earned revenue can retain all the advantages of pure nonprofits, including tax exemptions. Nonprofits can include teams, clubs, schools, religious organizations, charities, and so on.
2004 Cone Corporate Citizenship Study Results says, �Our report is the nation�s longest study of American attitudes toward corporate support of social issues,� says Carol Cone, CEO of Cone, a Boston-based strategic marketing firm. �This study, in a series of research spanning over a decade, shows that in today�s climate, more than ever before, companies must get involved with social issues in order to protect and enhance their reputations.� In 2004, 86% of consumers said that they would likely switch from one brand to another that is about the same in price and quality, if the other brand is associated with a cause. This same overwhelming majority want businesses to communicate their efforts. �This suggests to us that advertising support of social issues without �walking the talk� in other areas can be counterproductive and poor business strategy,� says Cone.
www.myziptag.com uses a simple and effective product called a ZipTag to tie local businesses and nonprofits together by zip code. Consumers put ZipTags on their key chains or other valuable property and their ability to save travels with them. Consumers receive a solid value with the ZipTag as they save and also receive a property retrieval service for keys, cameras, cell phones, iPods and other valuable property. Because it is inexpensive and because of its inherent real value, ZipTags can often produce impressive unit sales per participant.
My Zip utilizes 4 vital cornerstones in the community, namely local businesses, fundraisers, consumers and local Community Specialists, who work with all participants to make the program a success every step of the way. Exclusive local businesses provide discounts and exclusive offers for the ZipTag. Fundraisers add an element of cause-related marketing for the local business and in the process receive much needed revenue and visibility. ZipTags are a perennial favorite, good for a one year period and bear an expiration date. This creates a built-in market for repeat sales. Their tangible value, small size, light weight, and easy handling requirements make selling ZipTags a breeze. Everyone in the community is a potential customer and donor!
Uniting these vital community elements with the simple ZipTag creates the perfect fundraiser for the long-term. For only a few dollars, consumers save and protect their valuable property, and they still get to be the good guy and help worthy organizations in their communities. Fundraisers get tied to consumers and exclusive businesses in the community that will support them perpetually. Local businesses stay in the spotlight, increase sales and are also known as the good guys. Uniting these vital community elements with the simple ZipTag creates the perfect fundraiser for the long-term. For only a few dollars, consumers save and protect their valuable property, and they still get to be the good guy and help worthy organizations in their communities. Fundraisers get tied to consumers and exclusive businesses in the community that will support them perpetually. Local businesses stay in the spotlight, increase sales and are also known as the good guys. My Zip�s local Community Specialists share their enthusiasm around the community making sure that the local business, fundraiser and consumer all benefit!
