Thursday, March 22, 2012

Branded Merchandise For Schools

Branded Merchandise For Schools by Agustin Cardenas

 

Schools, churches and community organizations looking for a fun fundraising idea that is appropriate for youth participation should consider making a minimal investment in promotional items that can be sold for a profit. Using imprinted products for your fundraising needs will serve two purposes: bringing in money and increasing awareness of your church, school or organization throughout the community.

Selling custom products is fun and simple, and people of all ages can be involved. Children can sell the products door-to-door, at community events, in front of grocery stores or at sporting events, while adults can sell them at work, and grandparents and retirees can sell them at social functions or even Bingo night. When prospective buyers know the money is going to support a good cause, they are much more likely to purchase branded merchandise particularly if the printed products are attractive and functional. For example, pens, pencils, magnets, keyrings, business card holders, mugs, water bottles and t-shirts are all excellent examples of custom logo items that are functional, can be purchased inexpensively and are easy to sell.

With so many types and styles of branded merchandise available, it is easy to find the perfect option to suit your fundraising needs. Whether you are looking for simple custom plastic pens that cost less than a postage stamp, or a fashionable mug that will show off your organization's logo and increase your earning potential, your next fundraiser is sure to be a success when you include stylish, useful promotional products that will appeal to a wide range of potential buyers.

Non-profit organizations that provide social services, educate the community on important issues or encourage community involvement can greatly benefit from promotional items. Imprinted products can serve many purposes for non-profit organizations, including increasing brand awareness, fundraising, educating the community on a particular issue and acting as incentives for community involvement, signing up for a mailing list or registering to vote.

One obvious way non-profits can use branded merchandise is to sell them through fundraising campaigns, at community events or at the organization's location, or to give them to donors in exchange for a donation. This type of fundraising can prove very successful, particularly because people enjoy supporting worthwhile causes and always like getting something in return for their generosity. If the agency selects appealing, functional promo products, they will be even easier to sell and will bring in even more money to help pay for the services the group provides.

Imprinted items can also be used to increase awareness of political issue campaigns and to educate the community on important ballot issues. While non-profits cannot endorse candidates, they can certainly take on issues that affect the community group they serve, and can use promotional items to encourage folks to register to vote, or to sign up to receive email updates regarding pertinent issues.

However agencies choose to use branded merchandise , they are sure to receive a healthy return on a small initial investment, and will increase awareness of their brand, as well as the services they provide, while meeting their fundraising or community action goals.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Score with Sports Fundraising

How to Score with Sports Fundraising by Steven Roberts

 

If you have a little athlete, get prepared to get involved in some kind of sports fundraising event. Kids who are involved in non-school funded sports will have to come up with more money than kids that are in sports funded by the school. However, sports funding budgets are continuing to decrease. As a result, schools are asking kids and parents for help more frequently.
If you're asked to come up with some sports fundraising ideas, keep two things in mind. One, you want to maximize your profit. Two, you want to come up with something that people who are not involved with the sport will want to buy.
Discount Coupons
In the past couple of years discount coupons have become a popular form for sports fundraising. Discount coupons can be applied to a variety of different places. However, restaurant and entertainment coupons tend to be the most popular.
When you get involved in a discount coupon sports fundraiser, you have to do a little legwork. You're the one that has to go out and find merchants in your area that will want to participate in the program.
Think about which local vendors might like to participate in a discount program. Sandwich shops, pizza places and other local restaurants will usually sign on. Florists, tanning salons, car washes and dry cleaners are also good businesses. Make sure to tell them that they'll get "free" advertising out of the deal because the company name will be placed on the card. They'll also get people coming into their store, which will ultimately mean more profit.
To get the team involved, ask each kid to sign up one or two merchants. Many of them will get this done quickly. But, if you're having a hard time motivating some of them, remind them that they're doing this to fund new jerseys or a tournament.
Discount coupons usually sell really quickly because they offer something that customers like -- discounts. For $5 to $10 (the price depends on the card) customers can get great deals on services they use anyway!
The Weekend Wash
Weekend carwashes are popular sports fundraisers, especially in the spring and fall. You're going to need to do this on a very busy corner or your not going to get enough business. Sometimes gas stations (that don't have carwashes) will let sports teams set up shop in their parking lot if the lot is big enough.
This is a great sports fundraiser because it's cheap and if placed in the right spot, will generate a lot of customers. It's cheap because all you have to pay for is soap, sponges and towels. It's also something people need, especially in the muddy months. The one downside to this fundraiser is weather. Whenever you host an outside sports fundraiser like this, you risk running into bad weather that could shut down the fundraiser.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Supportful Foundation Advances Charitable Dentistry in U.S. with Dental-ful Program

San Jose, CA, March 17, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The Supportful Foundation, a U.S. charitable organization which promotes healthy living by facilitating programs and services that improve the well-being of individuals and communities, announced today that the Dental-ful Program is active in the continental United States. With this release, Dental-ful is now able to subsidize costs for dentists who perform charitable restorative dentistry while reducing financial burdens for patients so they can receive proper treatment. This empowers and encourages dentists who want to deliver charity to underserved individuals in their community.

The Dental-ful Program provides dentists and patients with an innovative option to reduce the costs of charitable dental services. Usually, generous dentists, dental assistants, and hygienists are able to perform charitable dental treatments, consisting of extractions, fillings, and cleanings, without help from a dental laboratory. When these dental professionals meet a patient who needs restorative work and is unable to afford the cost of treatment they become very limited in their ability to help this patient because laboratory fabrications are a cost to the dental professionals also. However, a new option for charitable dentists is now available through the Dental-ful Program.

The Dental-ful Program, offered by the Supportful Foundation, is a dynamic dental network which connects underserved and disadvantaged individuals with compassionate dentists, laboratories, suppliers, and organizations.

The Dental-ful Program gives out free and discounted crowns, bridges, or dentures to qualified applicants. The removal of the financial burden of laboratory costs creates a synergistic relationship of care between the dentist and the laboratory for the benefit of the disadvantaged person. The simple application process of Dental-ful results in speedy assessments and determinations. Every application has a field for a dentist’s recommended treatment (prescription) and a field for the patient’s Statement of Request for Charitable Treatment. Upon reception of the application, the Supportful Foundation will evaluate the merits of the request and contact the applicants who are accepted.

“The ability to connect two or more compassionate professionals for the benefit of the patient who is less fortunate is what makes the Dental-ful Program really special,” said David J. Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Supportful Foundation. “If patients come to realize the heart of the sponsoring dentists and suppliers, they will get more than a new smile. They will get inspiration and encouragement to pass along creative forms of charity to others in their daily lives continually.”

By reducing restorative dental costs for charitable treatments, Dental-ful is encouraging compassionate dental professionals to promote healthy living and improve the well-being of others. Go to http://www.supportful.org to download the Application for Dental Restoration/Supply and find it under the “Programs” tab. Or download from this press release below.

About Supportful Foundation

The Supportful Foundation is a charitable organization which promotes healthy living by facilitating programs and services that improve the well-being of individuals and communities. Existing programs send medical professionals abroad to foreign countries, develop youths for empowered living, and facilitate dental supplies and equipment to worthy causes that are aligned with its mission to promote healthy living. The Supportful Foundation is actively establishing strategic and synergistic relationships with leading companies in the U.S. which improve the well-being of individuals and communities.

Contact:
David J. Rodriguez
Executive Director
(510) 689-8669
info

View the Original article

The TARA Project Launches Community Driven Change Campaign to Build Kenyan Pharmacy


Community driven campaign to build pharmacy for rural community.
Atlanta, GA, March 02, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The TARA Project is raising funds for a community-owned pharmacy in Kojwach, Kenya – a rural community near Lake Victoria. The ten month campaign begins today and runs through December 2012. The goal is for 100 participants to save their spare change over the course of the year and become investors in this Kenyan community’s first pharmacy.

“Twenty one children under five die every minute due to treatable illnesses,” says The TARA Project executive director, Amy Callis. “These illnesses are easily treated if there is access to quality, affordable drugs.” The TARA Project has supported a pharmacology college student for several years who will graduate in December and there is a building in the community to house the pharmacy. Over the course of the next year, through the Change Campaign, The TARA Project will raise the funds to supply the pharmacy with equipment and medicine.

“The Change Campaign is a very easy way for individuals to invest in something tangible and positive,” says Ms. Callis. “Best of all, because the campaign is focused around spare change, it is very easy for almost everyone to participate.” The campaign’s goal is for 100 individuals or groups to participate over the course of the 10 months. With a monthly collection of as little as $10 from each participant, the goal will be met.

The TARA Project focuses on community and has developed the campaign to work with classrooms, church groups and clubs who want to find easy ways to contribute to something positive in the world. As Ms. Callis noted, “Most people don’t realize the significance of the problem, nor do they realize how easy it is for them to be part of the solution. For folks to have an opportunity to point to something and say 'I helped do that and it’s saving lives,' is pretty powerful.”

The TARA Project is a registered 501(c)3 located in Atlanta, GA. It’s mission is to improve access to health, education and economic opportunity for chronically poor communities. For more information about The TARA Project or the Change Campaign, contact Amy Callis at (404) 589-8005 or amy

View the Original article

Monday, March 19, 2012

Sanderson Lincoln Co-Hosts Successful Carefree-Cave Creek Balloon Festival in Arizona


Sanderson Lincoln in Phoenix is excited to announce that the 2012 Carefree-Cave Creek Balloon Festival was a success, raising money for the Tim & Willy Kid

View the Original article

Prominent New Yorkers Come Together in Charity for Africa


Seeds of Africa Fund celebrity fundraiser with a Valentine spin on auction will be held in New York City during fashion week. Celebrity and Societies are coming together to help raise funding for the Seeds of Africa Knowledge Center.
New York, NY, February 02, 2012 --(PR.com)-- On Monday, February 13, at 7:00 PM, an evening benefit for the Seeds of Africa Fund to raise money towards the Seeds of Africa Knowledge Center. The event will be co-hosted by publisher/television personality Alicia Marie Rivers at the Manhattan Penthouse in New York City.

Grand Piano by Michael Graye

DJ - Liam McMullan

View the Original article

Finaza Foundation Hosts First Annual Fundraiser for Children of Sierra Leone


The Finaza Foundation hosted its first annual fundraiser Sunday at Nirvana in Beverly Hills. Founded in 2009, the Finaza Foundation is committed to transforming the lives of children in the impoverished region of Kono, Sierra Leone.
Beverly Hills, CA, March 19, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The Finaza Foundation hosted its first annual fundraiser Sunday at Nirvana in Beverly Hills. Several civic leaders and celebrities gathered in support of the organization including cast members of the hit Broadway show FELA!, Duain Richmond, Aimee Wodobode, Paulette Ivory, and Danny Soto, as well as singer Claudia Alexander, actor J. August Richards, and many more. Founded in 2009, the Finaza Foundation is committed to transforming the lives of children in the impoverished region of Kono, Sierra Leone.

Richmond, a native of Sierra Leone, spoke about his homeland and sang a heartfelt selection for the audience entitled, “Sweet Salone.” Finaza Foundation President Adisa Septuri honored the Cowan Avenue Elementary School and teacher Ms. Gaines-Jones for the amazing donation of 25 new computers to help start the first computer lab in a Finaza-sponsored primary school in Kono. Additionally, the fundraiser received generous contributions, including more than $1,000 in soccer gear alone.

The Finaza Foundation provides annual academic scholarships for children who could otherwise find themselves working year-round in the region's diamond mines. To date, over 300 students have received scholarships. Finaza encourages continued support from individuals, groups, and organizations. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.FinazaFoundation.org.Contact InformationFinaza Foundation
Alonda Thomas
(305) 725-5262
Contact
FinazaFoundation.org

Click here to view the list of recent Press Releases from Finaza Foundation

View the Original article