Non-profit organizations look for new ways to raise funds

  • 2013-02-26
As the recession has affected the amount of funding received by non-profit organizations, with fewer grants from the government and donations from individuals decreasing, new ways to fundraise have been introduced.

Mega-events are the latest efforts to raise much needed funding for charitable organizations in South Florida. One of the mega-events to take place is the 211 Broward hotline’s NonProfit Academy Awards, organized two years ago and presenting gold statuettes and a red carpet.

According to the chief executive of 211-Broward, Sheila Smith, the social services hotline number does not receive any dedicated funding and so it has to be creative when looking for ways to raise money. The InterContinental Miami Ball launched by Make-A-Wish Southern Florida raised $1.7m in just one day, compared to $300,000 eight years previously.

The Jeb Bush Classic weekend produced by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in South Florida, held in Fort Lauderdale raised over $500,000 which is around a third of the organization’s yearly budget. According to organizers of the events, a year is required to build relationships with potential sponsors, co-ordinate staff and volunteers to collect raffle prizes and sell tickets and work with the board of directors from the non-profit organization.

In addition to selling tickets to the awards ceremony, organizers also hold an after-party which is more suited to younger people, with tickets sold at a lower price to gain their interest for the future. Promotion of the events is crucial, and the printing services of local Print companies will offer a low cost and effective method of advertising.
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