FUNDRAISING IDEAS FOR YOUR WITNESS EXHIBIT
On average, it costs about $100 per witness to create a Silent Witness silhouette. This includes the materials to build the witness such as plywood and paint, and promotional materials such as creating banners, brochures, luminary candles, and program book. While it might seem overwhelming for inexperienced fundraising, the reality is anyone can obtain the resources needed.
Getting Items Donated
Local businesses, labor or trade unions, home supply stores, hardware stores and printers could all be approached to donate the materials free of charge. For instance, maybe a home improvement store would provide the plywood, the local Sherwin Williams provides the paint, and a local construction company could provide the labor. You are only out your time to ask. Some companies might ask you to put the request in writing- reference the sample solicitation letter on the website to customize one of your own [NOTE: maybe link the fundraising letter on the website here]
Raising the Money
If obtaining donated materials aren’t an option, consider a sponsor a witness campaign, asking each entity you approach for $100 sponsorship. For many companies, this is a nominal amount, and most companies can make a decision locally about a gift of that amount.
You can do the same for individuals. But if you aren’t comfortable asking someone for $100, the person you ask to raise the money from other individuals so that they can contribute to the person sponsoring the Witness.
Encourage the person to consider asking one of each of the following 10 people:
Here’s an idea that has proven to be a motivator for companies and individuals to sponsor a Witness. Encourage the group or individuals who sponsored a Witness to identify a particular one they want to sponsor. Then, when the Silent Witnesses are at your event, that group or individual can carry the Witness. Having groups invest money, time, and their name to your project will encourage them to participate in your future events.
There are always lots of fundraising ideas from your own experience, and the internet has a host of ideas through various resources. Some of these are:
Getting Items Donated
Local businesses, labor or trade unions, home supply stores, hardware stores and printers could all be approached to donate the materials free of charge. For instance, maybe a home improvement store would provide the plywood, the local Sherwin Williams provides the paint, and a local construction company could provide the labor. You are only out your time to ask. Some companies might ask you to put the request in writing- reference the sample solicitation letter on the website to customize one of your own [NOTE: maybe link the fundraising letter on the website here]
Raising the Money
If obtaining donated materials aren’t an option, consider a sponsor a witness campaign, asking each entity you approach for $100 sponsorship. For many companies, this is a nominal amount, and most companies can make a decision locally about a gift of that amount.
You can do the same for individuals. But if you aren’t comfortable asking someone for $100, the person you ask to raise the money from other individuals so that they can contribute to the person sponsoring the Witness.
Encourage the person to consider asking one of each of the following 10 people:
- One other family member (either immediate or extended)
- Two friends
- Someone from your place of worship
- Two neighbors
- A co-worker
- Someone from another civic or volunteer group you support
- A member of a recreational sports team you play on
- Someone who recently asked you to sponsor
or support them to return the favor
Here’s an idea that has proven to be a motivator for companies and individuals to sponsor a Witness. Encourage the group or individuals who sponsored a Witness to identify a particular one they want to sponsor. Then, when the Silent Witnesses are at your event, that group or individual can carry the Witness. Having groups invest money, time, and their name to your project will encourage them to participate in your future events.
There are always lots of fundraising ideas from your own experience, and the internet has a host of ideas through various resources. Some of these are:
- http://www.easy-fundraising-ideas.com/
- http://www.fundraising-ideas.org/
- http://www.razoo.com/p/fundraising-ideas
- http://www.pinterest.com/fundraiserhelp/fundraising-ideas/