subject: Information About Fundraising For Community Skatepark [print this page] Among the initial money decisions that a committee should make on community skatepark is how money raised throughout the fundraiser campaign will be spent. Many skatepark committees make your mind up right from the start they've a no money out policy. Which means they don't spend money on anything that is not directly related to the development of the skatepark.
This takes more creativeness and doing a lot of scrounging for funds and materials to do fundraising events. It means that the park will get finished swifter. Except for multi-million dollar projects, steer clear of the enticement to hire a promotional guide or a professional fundraiser. Most of the time they may do no more than what you can do yourself.
Always Invite the Dignitaries
Use fundraisers as a opportunity to include distinguished members of the business community or the city council. Both will welcome the opportunity to have their names connected with a common cause like a community skatepark. Usually, getting a dignitary to show up at an event is as easy as asking. Give them notice far ahead of time with a precise schedule of the event. Include the time that you would like them to arrive and inform them in advance if you're planning requiring them to talk. Follow up with a phone call to confirm their arrival and then include the fact that a dignitary will be present in your press release launching the event. When the dignitaries are members of the city council or other politicians, it is advisable to send a final copy of the press release to them or their office for examine before presenting it for publication.
Tax-Exempt Status and Receipts
There are 2 extremely important parts of fundraising that you need to know. First, it is crucial to ascertain your group as a non-profit organization with Internal Revenue Service 501c(3) status or to link your group with a nonprofit organization with this status. This will make all donations to your organization tax deductible. Second, tell people that you are a tax-exempt nonprofit organization and provide them with receipts to be used when doing their taxes.
Tax receipts are a essential part of any fundraising effort. Invoices in a skatepark project may take two forms. First, there are simple receipts that the youth and adult committee members could offer small donations during scheduled fundraisers. Secondly, are receipts that take the form of a thank you letter that is available to more major contributions. If possible, the letter ought to be printed on the letterhead of your non-profit umbrella organization. For the personal touch which brings the donors back, also included a separate, hand-written note with each letter length tax receipt. Have the youth and adult skatepark committee members sign this more personal note.
In general, it is extremely vital that you thank each small and large donor, and to let them have as much acknowledgement as possible. It is easy to undervalue how frequently businesses get requested cash or material donations, and how often they get little if anything in return. The higher quality that you'll be able to make a business or individual feel about their donation, the more likely they are to help in the future.
