Ways to Raise Money

It is not always easy to find unique ways to raise money that will work for your specific group.  Having a brainstorming session will be the best way to determine the ideal fundraiser for your charity, community or school project, or event.

Who should be involved in the fundraiser?  The group planning the fundraiser should include everyone that will participate in some way, from the organizer to the volunteers.  It is vital to keep the brainstorming session open and free flowing, yet organized so it does not take an entire evening to discuss, only to come up with no solid suggestions.

Obtaining Great Fundraising Ideas

The first thing to do is to create an agenda.  There should be a list of items to discuss on the agenda, such as:

What type of fundraiser is needed?

How much money is needed?

What is the time frame?

Who will be involved?

Are there any individuals or groups that are willing to donate time, money and/or materials?

What is the profit margin on the project?

To ensure that the meeting is effective, ask people to write down their suggestions for ways to raise money before the meeting starts so that each can be discussed in turn.  Setting a time frame for the meeting and overall discussion will help to keep everyone focused and on task.  Once the basic fundraiser idea is decided, tasks for the development and execution of the fundraiser can be assigned to the volunteers and organizers.

Fundraiser Giveaways

If you or your church, school, community or charity organization is planning a fundraiser to raise money , you may want to consider purchasing some type of giveaway to encourage people to donate and participate.  The giveaway items do not have to be large or extravagant; they should simply be a small token of appreciation or serve as a remembrance of the event.  The right items may also help to attract future donors and volunteers for the next event.

Items to Give Away at Fundraisers

It is very common to see T-shirts being given out at charity races or sporting events.  Carnivals may inspire personalized balloons or glow in the dark toys.  Schools have a plethora of items to choose from to promote their event, such as pencils and bookmarks, movie or carnival passes, candy, grab bags, small toys or pencil boxes.

There are many useful websites dedicated to supplying these types of giveaways.  Some also offer fundraising services such as candy or magazine sales.

When organizing the fundraiser, it is important to have a budget in place.  The bottom line will be the proposed amount of donations and funds that will be brought in by the event.  A small portion of that amount can be set aside to purchase fundraiser giveaways, most of which cost very little and can be used over and over again for various events, depending on the item ordered.

Jordin Sparks and Others Give to Charity

May 22^nd saw a gathering of some of the most prominent names in sports and show business give to charity at the 26th anniversary of Sports Spectacular held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza.  The event honors top athletes and also benefits the Medical Genetics Institute at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.  The evening was hosted by Jim Hill, Samantha Harris and John Salley.

Stars Give to Charity Through Auction

In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of the honored athletes, the event also featured a silent auction.  The auction was designed to raise funds to combat genetic birth defects and raised more than $1.3 million.  The total raised thus far through the event has topped $21 million.

American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks started the evening off when she sang the National Anthem.  Approximately 1,800 sports stars, celebrities, business and community leaders, entertainers and charity organizations attended the evening to honor an elite list of sports figures.

Honorees and their presenters included Olympic Gold Medalist Lindsey Vonn, whose award was presented by Ron Artest; Los Angeles Clippers NBA Star Blake Griffin whose award was presented by Michael Strahan; U.S. soccer star Landon Donovan whose award was presented by Tim Leiweke; and Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers icon and NFL Defensive Player of the Year, whose award was presented by Joel Madden.

Also present at the charity event were many famous faces including Tia Carrere, Buzz Aldrin, Benji Madden, Alan Thicke and Summer Sanders.

Those who wish to give to charity can make a donation online.

Celebrities Give to Charity for Children

Celebrities banded together on April 30^th to give to charity and participate in the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital event, “Walk for Kids, Street Party and Turn on the Lights Celebration.”  Among the celebrities that participated in the event were American singer-songwriter Crystal Bowersox, supermodel Heidi Klum, and actresses Jennifer Grey, Jamie Lee Curtis and Melanie Griffith.  Another famous face also participated in the event – six-year-old actor Max Page, who appeared as Darth Vader in this year’s popular Super Bowl commercial.

“I’m so happy to be part of the celebration because Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is a very special place,” said Bowersox, a singer-songwriter that gained prominence on American Idol and released her first solo album Farmer’s Daughter late last year.  “I’m glad to bring my music to the Street Party celebration for families to enjoy so we can all have a good time.”

The volunteers walked through the streets of Los Angeles to help support the new children’s hospital.  The walk began in Griffith Park through the neighborhood of Los Feliz to the hospital entrance at 4650 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. The volunteer opportunities continue to abound even though the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital has been built.

Opportunities Abound

The 317 bed facility is scheduled to open its doors to patients on July 10^th but the hospital will continue to take donations from those who give to charity – in person or online donations, to secure its ability to run efficiently and to serve the vast number of children that come through its doors each year.

Give to Charity With Snoop Dogg

Celebrities Who Give to Charity: Snoop Dogg has shown his love for Japan by designing a T-shirt to benefit victims of the recent earthquake in the country.  The profits will be sent to Operation USA, an international relief organization that helps survivors overcome the devastating effects of disasters.

Snoop has joined with Neff Headwear to produce a T-shirt known as the “Snoop Dogg x Neff Japan Tee.”  Each T-shirt will be sold for $20.  People may also donate online.

Snoop says: “I got so much love for Japan that when I heard about the recent disaster I knew I had to do what I could to help.”  He added “My Japanese family member, DJ 2High, called me and let me know how bad it really is, they need a lot of support and I hope that this Tee that I am doing with my NEFF family will help make a difference.  I said it before and I will say it again, keep your head up Japan.”

Rappers Give to Charity

Singer/songwriter Ne-Yo recently Tweeted details of his visit to Japan.  He has held several performances to raise funds to help people recover from the tsunami and earthquake.

“All proceeds from the wristbands we’ve created especially for the shows will go directly to the victims of the quake” he said.  “As well as the donations boxes that will be placed throughout the venues.  We spreadin’ love through music, through donation, through prayer. Love!”

People interested in helping can go to the charity’s website to learn how to give to charity or to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Jude Law Helps Non Profit Charity Organizations With Idea Funding

Wizard Jeans has carried out some unique idea funding to raise money for non profit charity organizations.  The company has paired up with the actor Jude Law, who was asked to decorate a pair of jeans to go up for auction.

The UK-based jeans company spokesperson, Sally Allen elaborates: “Jude kindly consented to paint his right hand with black textile ink and slap it on the left cheek of the jeans to produce this unique and fun piece of fashion.  We sincerely hope the jeans will raise a substantial sum for the benefit of the charity.”

The charity that will benefit from Law’s contribution is Macmillan Cancer Support.

Other Non Profit Charity Organizations Benefit from Idea Funding

Wizard Jeans is not a newcomer to raising funds for charity organizations.  The company is preparing for another upcoming charity event in April to give to charity.  This time the fortunate recipient is the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital.

The charity auctions are set to run through the end of April so supporters will have ample time to donate online.  In this way Wizard Jeans is creating excellent opportunities to help charities through donations.  Of course, there will also be many people bidding on celebrity jeans, which have been autographed by 100 notable celebrities. The jeans will be going up for auction as part of the idea funding and will see the clothing’s proceeds going to the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital; they are expected to raise a substantial amount for the cause.

Non-profits Embrace Online Charity

It is not surprising to learn that online charity is becoming increasingly popular among non-profit organizations. Typically, non-profit organizations raise money by holding a variety of fundraisers, sending out pledges and follow up letters, creating marketing materials and depending on large grants from various sources, including government help, corporate sponsorship and private contributors. Fundraising can be a difficult and tedious job. It can also take funds away from more worthwhile projects. The expense and amount of labor required is expensive and the return is often not worth the effort. That is why online charities have become so popular in recent years.

Social Media Befriends Online Charity

Using a charity site to give to charity offers many benefits to both the individuals donating and the organizations receiving the funds. Non-profits love online giving for a number of reasons. The faltering economy has hit everyone hard – including the corporate and individual sponsors that so generously support the causes. Smaller donations are also effected, leaving the non-profit at a bigger loss than it is equipped to handle. By using online charities, non-profits have the opportunity to raise much needed funds without all of the labor and marketing costs. People can go to the non-profit’s website or link to the site directly through social media connections like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. The process is very easy and in addition it makes spreading the word even easier. People can share the information and donate online to the online charity of their choice with just the click of a mouse button.

Jay-Z Prefers to Give to Charity to Improve Water Situations

Jay-Z released his debut album in 1996 before he was known to give to charity. He soon became an instant hit on the hip-hop scene. 15 years later, Jay-Z is recognized as a philanthropist passionate about improving water systems across the globe.  It was in 2006 that Jay-Z first traveled with the United Nation’s Kofi Annan to Africa, where Jay-Z learned of the devastation caused by a lack of safe water throughout the continent.  According to Jay-Z, he’s “not a politician; I’m just a regular person with a heart. If you see a problem like that and do nothing about it, there’s something wrong with you.”

Jay-Z Uses Film and Personal Funds to Give to Charity

As a result of his trip, Jay-Z made a second one, during which time he shot the movie “The Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life”.  The movie was to raise awareness of the fact that, according to the United Nations, one-third of the earth’s people live with little to no water.  It was during the filming of the documentary that Jay-Z provided personal funds to the community of Durban so that its middle school could have a water tower. Those school kids now have clean water pumped daily by the school’s merry-go-round.  Jay-Z was recognized in 2008 by the United Nations for his humanitarian efforts in this area.

Jay-Z is still involved with Water for Life, raising awareness about the scarcity of water which still exists across Africa.  This past year, he created designer shoes with Nike; all the proceeds were to benefit the Shawn Carter Scholarship program. The scholarships cover students attending accredited and alternative schools and includes a mentorship facet.

In addition, following Katrina, Jay-Z donated $1 million dollars to the Katrina Relief effort.  In 2010, Jay-Z put together an auction package that raised $220,000 for CharityBuzz.com; this was raised in just one day and was set to benefit The Grammy Foundation.

Microgiving applauds Jay-Z’s efforts to improve water resources and the lives of others across the world.  Like Jay-Z, Microgiving works to improve the lives of others through acts of charity.  If you would like to work in an online charity capacity and help people, please register with our website today and give to charity.

Will Ferrell Always Willing to Give To Charity With Time and Talent

Will Ferrell takes seriously the needs of others and uses his talents to give to charity.  Mr. Ferrell’s reasons to donate are diverse.  He has been known to support the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, has helped the US launch Human Rights Month by filming a PSA raising awareness on the atrocities in Burma, and also supported the Afghanistan Relief Organization, Charlize Theron African Outreach Project, Milk+Bookies, UNICEF and Variety – the Children’s Charity.  One of the cars driven by Ferrell in Talladega Nights was auctioned on eBay for Variety.

Ferrell Gives Through Cancer for College

However, it appears that Ferrell’s favorite cause is Cancer for College.  Cancer for College was created by Ferrell’s good friend, Craig Pollard, after Pollard had become a two-time cancer survivor.  Craig first contracted Hodgkin’s Lymphoma while in high school.  He survived that bout to suffer another while in college. Craig’s bouts of cancer helped him to realize that families are often drained emotionally and financially when fending off cancer, especially a child.  As a result, he founded Cancer for College; dedicated to providing college scholarships to cancer survivors.  While Cancer for College started off slow with awarding a first scholarship of only $500 in 1993, with Will’s celebrity-status added to the cause, the organization has helped to award over $750,000 in scholarships to 700 cancer survivors and amputees.

Microgiving.com applauds Mr. Ferrell’s willingness to donate through his time, talents and personal funds.  Like Mr. Ferrell, Microgiving is dedicated to helping people.  If you would like to donate and give to charity to help Microgiving recipients, please visit our website.

Celebrities Expected to Give to Charity – Despite Difficult Economic Times

The Carousel of Hope Ball provides Hollywood stars the opportunity to give to charity in aid of juvenile diabetes. The Ball was established in 1978 by Barbara Davis, widow of Marvin Davis, a tycoon in oil and the entertainment industries. Hosted every two years since its inception, it has raised over $75 million dollars across 16 events. The proceeds go to the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes in Aurora, Colo., and the Children’s Diabetes Foundation.

Charity Ball for Diabetes Expected to be a Success

With an average of $4.5 million dollars raised with each event, the Ball’s formula has been successful since its birth. The formula includes invitations to Hollywood’s “A” list, commitments from Hollywood retailers to create gift packages so large that they have to be declared for taxes, great food and drink such as chateaubriand and Baked Alaska, live entertainment and particularly large pink roses. Last year’s Ball featured the Jonas Brothers and Babyface.

Charity events like the Carousel of Hope are considered rather archaic in the face of the current economy. But this particular event is recognized by those in Hollywood as the most successful and longest running event of its type. The invitees are clearly supportive of Ms. Davis’ consistent commitment to quality, pomp and circumstance. For instance, the event includes a silent auction. This year’s auction included a Mercedes Benz – at a minimum bid of $90,000.

Everyone needs to do more for the world and give to charity. Whether it be celebrities or the common citizen, as Americans, we enjoy the benefits of living in one of the richest countries in the world and owe our duty to humanity by helping those who are not capable of helping themselves.

Microgiving supports the efforts of Ms. Davis to create an opportunity for celebrities to donate money for causes such as juvenile diabetes. Microgiving creates opportunities to give to charity through online donations – if you would like to be on Microgiving’s “A” donor list – or you might benefit from our help as a recipient – please visit us online.

Small Businesses Use Creativity to Give to Charity

As it is difficult for businesses to give to charity in the current economy, small businesses and entrepreneurs are turning to more creative avenues to accomplish their charitable efforts. From working with business partners to increase their impact, to supporting employee volunteer efforts, small business owners are changing the way in which they donate to charity.

Tight Cash Flows Provide New Opportunities to Give

Employers such as Gumas Advertising, Gentle Giant, Amnet and Idea Marketing may be feeling the strain of the economic climate, but these companies are still working to help take care of their communities and philanthropic causes. Rather than step away from charitable giving, they are using other avenues to help meet the needs of charitable resources. Some of these ideas not only benefit the way in which the employer can give to charity, but they benefit the charity as well.

For instance, Amnet used a charity golf sponsorship to continue support of the local Humane Society, while providing entertainment for its clients.

As another example, Idea Marketing not only provided the creative material for a campaign by Mi Casa Resource Center in Denver, it also used its business clout to negotiate a print and bulk mail discount for Mi Casa.

Gentle Giant, a moving company, used business downtime as a result of the economy to provide logistical services to Partners in Health, an organization that provides medical services to the poor. While providing those services, Gentle Giant was able to strike business relationships with those donating the medical supplies.

Helping People Affect Positive Change in the Lives of Others

Rather than stop charitable giving during tough economic times, these entrepreneurs seek creative ways to accomplish their cause. We at Microgiving.com greatly admire their spirit of genuine kindness and persistance, and in turn, we also seek to work with individuals across communities to creatively meet the needs of the less fortunate.  If you would like to donate online and give to charity, or can personally benefit from charitable assistance, please visit our website.