SHPE - Spring08 - (Page 18)

CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT Fundraising Do’s and Don’ts Do be confident, knowing that you’ll get some money. Do be knowledgeable about potential sponsors and the reasons they would be interested in funding your chapter. Do have a goal in mind. Don’t be embarrassed or apologetic about asking. Don’t go in without a plan. Don’t aim too low. Don’t do it alone. Get the whole chapter involved. uncomfortable asking, then encourage them to provide the contact information to others who can follow up. These contacts can also be added to the chapter’s newsletter distribution list so that they are informed that the chapter is seeking funds. In addition to their dues, all members should also consider giving a gift to the chapter. This demonstrates that they really believe in the organization’s mission and are committed to building the chapter’s future. have a lot of different budgets that can be tapped, and the marketing and advertising departments may contribute separately from the rest of the company. museums, would be willing to sponsor similar events. Think of other ways to mix fundraising and social activities. For example, we all have talents for which someone would be willing to pay. Why not auction off your members’ talents? Whether it’s optimizing a computer, putting together a blog, typing a paper, playing music or organizing a closet, it’s fun, it’s a bargain and the chapter gets the money! Continue the Conversation It is also vital to communicate during and after an event so that people know the results of their gifts. When the chapter has a meeting or a special event, don’t just invite members; also invite potential and present sponsors. When members return from a conference, send a report to all sponsors. Include photos taken during the sessions and with the organization’s leaders. Emphasize that this is what their dollars helped accomplish. People often forget that if they set a goal and communicate the plan to achieve it with others, it tends to happen. Publish the goal as well as progress reports in the chapter newsletter. Who wouldn’t be excited to learn that the chapter was half way in reaching its goal of $50,000 and that there were still three months to go? Share this news with the neighborhood newspaper and invite the community to get involved. In other words, by staying in touch throughout the year and not just when you need money, sponsors will feel that they are already a part of your organization and its success. It takes some legwork ahead of time and lots of cooperation, but the return on investment will be well worth the effort. I Editor’s note: Niki Nicastro McCuistion is the co-founder of the Foundation for Responsible Television, executive producer/producer of the award winning McCuistion Television program and producer/director of the “Roots of War.” She has a master’s degree in philanthropy and development from St. Mary’s University and an M.B.A. in not-for-profit leadership from the University of Dallas. She consults and speaks worldwide on strategy, leadership and governance. Niki can be reached at nikin@nikimccuistion.com Be Creative Look to members for innovative and exciting fundraising ideas as well as co-sponsor opportunities. Perhaps there is a new restaurant in town that would be willing to sponsor an event wherein participants pay a little more to enjoy the food while they mingle. Not only does the restaurant get to promote its name, but it’s also a great social event and the extra money goes to the chapter. You would be amazed at how many places, including Do Your Homework Within every community, there are corporations, both large and small, that want to invest in diversity and attract the best and brightest talent. As a result, they might be interested in donating to an organization that supports Hispanic engineers. A good way to find out is by looking at the company’s annual report. The section on corporate social responsibility outlines the charities and causes it supports. Not only do companies directly contribute to these organizations, but they also encourage their employees to volunteer their time and resources. Some even match their employees’ contributions. Leaders can visit with marketing or advertising directors and express that they want their SHPE chapter to be an accredited part of the company’s volunteer program. Grant funding organizations also should be researched ahead of time. Information on these organizations usually can be found at a local library. Pay special attention to the rules and regulations. Chapter leaders should form a funding committee, assigning one group to look for grant sources and another to focus on companies. Keep in mind that companies 18 The Corporate Perspective Diana Johnson, diversity staffing manager with Texas Instruments and a representative on the Industrial PartnerSHPE Council, shared a few best practices for students to keep in mind when approaching companies with their sponsorship proposals. • Don’t expect a sole company to sponsor an entire event. You’ll have much more success asking for smaller amounts from a larger group of companies. • Keep a running list of all sponsors, the programs they’ve supported and what they were willing to provide. Every year, pass this list on to the new chapter officers. This will give leaders a realistic idea of the types of events the company will be willing to support. • Never underestimate the power of a raffle fundraiser. Some companies will be willing to donate product such as a calculator, camera or software for which the chapter can sell tickets to students, teachers, family and friends. It’s not uncommon for a $150 product to yield well over $1,000. SHPE R Spring 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of SHPE - Spring08

SHPE - Spring08 Contents President’s Letter Browser Letters to the Editor Calendar of Events The Magic of Thinking BIG Five Steps to Easier Fundraising Designing Women ¡Viva Verde! The Education and Training of Ramon Flores Breakthroughs in Mobile Military Communications The Retention Doctor Success at School Begins at Home STAR Nominations Do Good Things Come to Those Who Wait? Programs & Services Regional Roundup Advertisers Index

SHPE - Spring08

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