Community Fundraising: How to Host a Fundraising Event:

At Your Place of Worship

Non-profit Humanitarian Fundraising Project

Jean, Corvallis, OR

To help displaced Iraqis living in Jordan, Jean decided to bring together concerned citizens – both faith-based and secular – to create a coalition called Corvallis and Albany Assisting Iraqi Refugees (CAAIR). Starting with her Church and non-profits like Veterans for Peace, she created a contact list of socially active folks to participate on a Steering Committee.

Steering Committee members were selected based on their engagement in the non- profit sector or with a Church where they could actively fundraise and/or oversee elements of the fundraising campaign. For example, the Steering Committee was responsible for securing endorsements from other local organizations and peer groups that supported the project. These local endorsements lent credibility and gave increased exposure to CAAIR’s mission. Jean also placed newspaper ads to raise awareness of the project and to engage public participation during the planning phase. At each meeting, she collected more contact names to build awareness and volunteer involvement.

From June to September 2007, CAAIR recruited volunteers and experienced event planners to produce the various fundraising events; filed as a 501©3 using the tax ID of Jean’s Church, secured a PO Box address, and set up a bank account to receive donations.

From September 2007 to February 2008, CAAIR hosted over fifteen fundraising events, including: a) ticketed meal events; b) alternative gift cards (which were a big hit during the holiday season); c) a slide show viewing of a photographer’s pictures from his travels in the Middle East; d) an international film festival; e) public lectures; f) an Empty Bowls event; g) musical concerts.

The Committee worked with a graphic designer who donated services to create tri- fold brochures, posters, newspaper ads, etc. Jeans says that the graphic designer added a professional look to the project and ensured a consistent visual design, which made it easy to create new marketing materials as needed.

While the events generated an amazing amount of support and awareness of the plight of displaced Iraqis, Jean cautioned that timing-wise, it was a challenge to oversee and staff events during the holiday season because many people have limitations on their time then. CAAIR was amazingly successful and raised over $36,000 in six months.

Alternative Gift Fair

First Universalist Unitarian Church, Wausau, WI

Many Churches support alternative gift fairs during the holiday season. At this Fair, volunteers sold Mercy Kits, which provide direct help to farmers, families and female business owners, among others, around the world. To learn more, please visit: http://www.mercycorps.org/mercykits. First Universalist Unitarian Church sent us this sample press release for their Alternative Holiday Market to inspire others:

Sample Press Release for An Alternative Gift Fair

Shop Responsibly at the Alternative Holiday Market Shoppers can spend their holiday dollars supporting businesses & causes that make a lasting difference— locally & abroad. The public is invited to browse dozens of booths at the Alternative Holiday Market on Friday, Nov. 23, 7– 11:00am & Sunday, Nov. 25, 10:00am–1:00pm. Shoppers can make donations to humanitarian organizations, purchase gift certificates for experiences or consumable items, or shop locally owned businesses for all the people on their holiday list. Also featured will be a “Zero-Waste” Wrapping Station, where donated grocery bags, ribbons, gift bags, etc., can be re-used by shoppers to wrap their purchases.

This FREE event will be held at the First Universalist Unitarian Church. The Alternative Holiday Market is sponsored by the Simple & Sustainable Living Network of Central WI, with support from the Social Action Committee & the Adult Education Program of the First Universalist Unitarian Church.