'austraLasia' #33

FUNDRAISING FOR YOUTH PROJECTS

Peter Newbery

(N.B. Peter didn't write this article - he sends it as an item of

interest)

Eight Traits of Effective Youth Fund-raising Programs, Part 1

by Jim & Connie Walters

Editor's Note: This is the first of an eight part monthly series.

copyright © 1998 all rights reserved Fund$Raiser Cyberzine

Part 1: The key leader has a heart and a vision for the work.

Fund-raising is vital to the success of any endeavor, and requires as

much creativity, innovation and leadership as any aspect of the work. To have

success here, you must have a leader who brings the right qualities and

skills to the task.

The first quality to look for is passion. At a recent "think tank"

conducted by 21st Century Strategies, Inc., one of the experts, Lyle

Shaller, stated, "I think passion is the critical variable... I would

insist that the number one quality of a leader be passion." By passion,

he means a blend of enthusiasm (which can be contagious) and stubbornness

(to see the project through to completion). But enthusiasm alone is not

enough.

The work of fund-raising calls for a leader with three other qualities.

oFirst is the ability to cast a vision to the group as a whole. This

calls for the ability to formulate plans and verbalize them, to be able to

"sell" ownership to the workforce as a whole, installing in them confidence and

excitement about the project.

oSecond is organizational ability, that knack of delegating and

distributing work to everyone in order to increase participation,

minimize headaches, and magnify results. People give their efforts not just to

meet a need, but to fulfill a vision. The more meaningful their work, the

more of themselves they will pour into the project.

oThird, the fund-raising leader needs to have an entrepreneurial spirit.

He or she needs to be able to manage a certain amount of risk, as in most

projects the overhead is committed before the first profits are realized.

If the leadership of your group can identify their "entrepreneur" who

has the passion, vision, organizational skill, and risk capacity, they have

laid a good foundation for the work of their organization.

Editor's note: Jim Walters serves in a local church ministry in Denver,

Colorado. Along with his wife Connie, who has led fund-raisers for both

church, elementary school, and high school groups, they formed Booster

Solutions to help others find profitable answers to their fundraising

problems.

Together they have written "Top Ten Youth Fundraisers", a 16 page

handbook that details their plans for 10 great fundraising ideas. Each plan in

the manual is fresh, tested and profitable. They work well for both school

and church groups. This is not a rehash of coupon books, subscriptions or

car washes. Every plan includes: 1) an overview of the project as

successfully completed. 2) a "key thought" ensuring your success. 3) step-by-step

outline with options and thoughts on variations.

To order send $7 (includes tax and shipping) to:

Booster Solutions

11431 W. Lake Drive

Littleton CO 80127