Nonprofit Fundraising – Working with a Fundraising Rep

In a previous post I wrote about how those of us who have volunteer fundraising

experience, and have made contacts in our community, are in demand as field

representatives for fundraising companies. I personally have never been a fundraising rep but I have worked with many. I have found that working with a local rep can help your organization succeed in your fundraising efforts.

What are some of the things a fundraising representative do for your organization?

Fundraising reps work on a commission basis for the companies they work for. You will not pay anything extra when you work with one. The product distributor pays the rep based upon the amount of products your organization sells. So, naturally this gives the rep an incentive to help your fundraiser be a success.

You can find a fundraising rep by word-of-mouth or by contacting product distributors. You can find product distributors by searching on the internet or your organization may already be receiving promotional materials in the mail from fundraising companies. If you are a school or school-based organization you probably received information in the mail all the time about fundraising opportunities.

Your fundraising team should ask the fundraising representative to give you a

presentation and show you what kind of products are available. When you see samples it is easier to judge the quality of the items, as opposed to just seeing them in a glossy brochure. I think we have all been disappointed at one time or another when selling or receiving a fundraising product that doesn’t seem like anything close to what you thought you were ordering.

A fundraising rep will also show you the brochures and other sales aids such as

collection envelopes, flyers, and posters. The rep will also explain the price breakdown, delivery cost, minimums, return policies and will give you an idea of how much money your organization should be able to earn. The rep will tell you what other support the company provides such as incentive prizes and holding a kick-off assembly, and what happens after the fundraiser is over.

Your fundraising team can also ask for references and names of other organizations in your community who he or she has worked with. You can also work with fundraising companies that do not have local reps and have a successful fundraiser. Many national companies provide excellent support and service through the mail and over the telephone.

Article by Amy Passmore of DIY Fundraising. Visit www.diyfundraising.com for do-it-yourself fundraising ideas for nonprofit organizations, clubs, schools and groups.