kinda ot... charity fundraiser ideas for the PMC

[myette10]

Hey all - I rode the PMC last year with the serotta forumites pmc team. It was a great weekend and something I'd like to be become involved with regularly in a meaningful way. In 2007, nearly 100% of my fund raising came from asking friends and family for donations. I really don't want to keep hitting them up year after year so I turn to you for ideas.

Anyone have any experience organizing a fund raising event like a golf tournament, casino night, tupperware party etc? I don't have a ton of time to commit to something, but I'd only be doing the one day ride option so the fund raising minimums are lower.

If I can't get anything together, I will stay involved with the event through volunteering. Those people really make the event.

Thanks in advance Serotta people. - Matt

[92degrees]

Hitting up friends and rels for cash donations is tough and gets tougher with each year that you do it. I had a lot of success in past years getting people to donate items that could be sold on forums or on eBay. It's amazing how much stuff people have that they don't use and don't mind donating to charity. It adds up quickly.

[PBWrench]

Most people who are asked to contribute to a cause do so as much out of respect for the solicitor as for the cause. If you are passionate, and ask someone you know to contribute to help a third person and let them know why you support the cause, asking again should be seen by them as a privilege, not a burden. the most important thing is to be honest, contribute on your own to the best of your ability as an example to follow, and say thank you!

[BURCH]

Try to organize a wine, vodka, beer, cheese..etc tasting. People love that kind of thing and somehow when you tell everyone to bring $XX amount because it is for a charity, it doesn't sting as much for you or them. Plus they only need to show up for one evening during a week or weekend versus an all day golf outing. And unless they don't drink, it can work out well for anyone.

Here is a specific charity format for a blind wine tasting. This can be done in teams made up of 2 or 3 people. Or just single person teams.

Every group or person brings two bottles of wine (you might need them to bring three if you are talking a group of 50 or more). They must also bring a $$donation$$ for your cause. See how this works. It in the end, it only costs you the space needed for the event and some cheese and crackers...maybe rental wine glasses if you are going all out.


FORMAT:
* Choose a varietal like merlot or cab or shiraz and tell everyone to bring that specific type of wine
* 1 or 2 Bottle(s) gets bagged and numbered and set out for tasting
* The last bottle goes into a kitty

Everyone tastes and judges the numbered and bagged bottles. They vote for their favorite and then the worst wine.

The kitty wines go to the person/group who brought the best voted wine.
The person that got the worst votes, takes their kitty bottle home with and walks out in shame :no:

[BumbleBeeDave]

Or what talents do you have that you could "raffle off?" Are you a pro photographer? Sell chances to win a professional portrait session, shot by you. Are you a chef? Same for a special dinner party.

92degrees has a great idea, too . . . see what people have that they've never gotten around to selling on eBay, then have your own garage sale.

BBD

[Bruce K]

Matt;

Here are some ideas from riders I know:

Your Serotta Forumite teammate Lucy holds an annual tatsing and raffle at a Boston restaurant where she knows the owner. She gets gift certificates and sports tickets donated for the fundraising raffle. One year she got a Trek at cost that she purchased and raffled. She got way more than what she invested in raffle money.

My North Shore Cyclopath buddy BrendaJane has an annual yard sale for the PMC where she gets items from freinds and family. What doesn't sell gets donated to a local charity so it's a win-win.

Dave's idea of selling your services is good if you have a talent that people would want.

The other thing I did was to sell off old riding jerseys and bike parts in exchange for donations. I am starting to go through my cycling gear right now and will probably post something here in the Classifieds to help the DPF.

You need adult stuff so bake sales really don't work for you.

One other thing you can do is let it be known at your church or other places you socialize and see if folks are interested in supporting your ride.

Beyond that, it's just sending out letters to anyone you can think of.

Good luck. $4000 is a big effort.

BK

[barry1021]

Most people who are asked to contribute to a cause do so as much out of respect for the solicitor as for the cause. If you are passionate, and ask someone you know to contribute to help a third person and let them know why you support the cause, asking again should be seen by them as a privilege, not a burden. the most important thing is to be honest, contribute on your own to the best of your ability as an example to follow, and say thank you!

Also the more the committment to raise, and the bigger the challenge counts--it's an honor for me to contribute to people that do the PMC.....I expect to be asked every year.....

b21

[imm]

Hey all - I rode the PMC last year with the serotta forumites pmc team. It was a great weekend and something I'd like to be become involved with regularly in a meaningful way. In 2007, nearly 100% of my fund raising came from asking friends and family for donations. I really don't want to keep hitting them up year after year...- Matt

I've been a Heavy Hitter every year I've ridden and hitting up the same people every year has never been a problem. Don't not ask. ;)

I raffle off sporting event tickets (they generally have to be very good ones though, like Yankee games at Fenway ;-) and also reach far and wide.

Fundraisers can be good, but generally have to be very big if you are doing them as part of a team and splitting the money. They seem to work out to about $1000 per person on most of them - as a rough average. You have to decide if the effort is worth it, they are hard work.

[myette10]

thank you all for your ideas! I appreciate your time and consideration.

[mericrista]

C.O.T.R. College of ministries & N.T.C of India.India focused mission engaged in church planting, pastor training, education, and humanitarian efforts. This organization is help for the poor people.if any body want to help for the poor people please visit http://www.christforindia.org