The Richmond Flying Squirrels minor league baseball team supported
the Arthritis Foundation at a recent game. It was held on Saturday,
August 14, 2010 at The Diamond in Richmond, Virginia. The baseball
game was between the Richmond Flying Squirrels and the Portland Sea
Dogs.
In addition to having fun with my family watching the game, I also
took note of the methods they used to raise funds. The following are
five tips for findraiding I took away from the baseball game.
Get In Front of Your Potential Donors
Starting from when I was approaching the entrance to the ballpark
until I started looking for my seat, there were many promotions of
fundraisers and community businesses. If you were going to watch the
ballgame, you were going to pass by each of the displays/promoters to
get there. They didn’t get hidden in a poorly trafficed path or in an
“out of the way” corner.
You need to get the attention of potential sponsors to be
successful. You won’t raise needed funds if the potential finders
don’t know the opportunity exists.
Communicate In Multiple Ways
Messages about arthritis, the Arthritis Foundation, and the ongoing
charity auction to benefit the Arthritis Foundation were shared with
attendees in multiple ways. Involvement of people with arthritis in
pre-game activities, announcements by the game announcer, and
displaying photos and messages on the scoreboard were some of the
methods used.
Consider using multiple forms of communication as well. These forms
of communication can include using text, audio, photos, and video.
Make Request Multiple Times
The impact of arthritis and the current fundraising opportunty
(charity auction) was communicated many times thoughout the game. If
someone was out buying a hotdog during the first message, he or she
will hear the message the next time it is communicated.
Marketers have proven that it requires communicating a message
multiple times before the typical person takes action. It is no
different when attempting to convert a person to be a donor to your
organization.
Ask When Potential Donors Are Not Distracted
Messages about the Arthritis Foundation and and fundraiser
opportunities were typically made between innings. There was no action
on the baseball field at those times to distract the potential
donors.
Consider the timing and environment when approaching a potential
donor. Try to make your approach at a time that will minimize the
possible distractions.
Make the Experience Fun
Attending baseball games is fun. Adding fundraising to the game is
a great match.
It obviously benefits the charity. It also benefits the baseball
team by increasing the community’s perception and support to the
team.
People are more receptive when they are having fun. Regardless of
how serious the cause, find a way for potential donors to have fun
before you ask for their support, so they will be more open to your
message.
Consider these tips when implementing your next fundraising event
or campaign.
Thanks,
Roger Carr
p.s. If you want to get many, many great products for you and your
business, go to http://www.NAMS4Kids.com. You can be a part of
saving young children’s lives.
Fun post! Nice way to remind us fundraising can be fun and “season friendly.”
I love baseball games and they certainly are a great way to get in front of a crowd.
Hi! Love the idea of making the request multiple times. Nonprofit folks are so timid about making the ask or requesting help. Almost like they are apologetic. And let’s make it fun too! Thanks for the great post!
Roger, you are on target with “make it fun”. So many people don’t want to attend fundraising events because they fear they won’t have a good time or won’t know anyone. An events committee that can speak to invitees before hand and let them know there will be a good time, are ahead of the game.
Thanks for your comment Bunnie. It was fun to see a baseball game again and observe all of the ways they were supporting the community (and in particular the Arthritis Foundation).
Lori, thanks for your comment. Fundraising needs to be fun or the needed enthusiasm will eventually run out.
Thanks Gail. Yes, marketers typically find that the message has to be in front of a potential customer at least 7 times before a sale. Many of us tend to fall far short of this because we are afraid of upsetting someone. Instead, we aren’t giving others the opportunity they need to implement positive change.
Sherry,
Thanks for the reminder that making it fun can also bring in more potential donors to our events.
Terrific post, Roger. Love all the ways this group did it right in such a fun and public forum!
Eating hot dogs, clapping and cheering while helping raise money. What a great idea! Thank you for the story. We offer small non-profits that don’t have the resources to fill the stands a simple and free donor nurturing tool that brings smiles to donors faces. If anyone is interested they can find out more information here, http://www.BrandsForGreaterGood.com
These are great tips. I’ll remember them for the next event! There are also a few other ideas that make donating fun and successful. For example, make the event about the cause. Most people probably attended the Richmond Flying Squirrels game because they like baseball, and it just so happened to be supporting a foundation at the time. The team should integrate their message and fundraising into the event through signage. For example, the American Cancer Society posted signs that depicted the impact donors could have on cancer. I believe directly approaching people is the best method at a sporting event, but it does help to have other resources to sink the message in. http://bit.ly/bjgww5
me too, very fun sport and very entertaining too.
agree with you here, thanks for sharing this to uas
me too, I love baseball. thanks for sharing this nice post.
yeah I agree Caroline, thanks.
I am interested on sports too.
baseball rocks! really enjoyed playing that sport.
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