Animal Fundraising
There are a number of ways to raise money for your animal shelter or charity. Remember owners love to spoil their pets. The pet supply business is a multi-billion dollar industry. Your fundraising efforts will allow you to tap into this virtually endless market.
One of the easiest animal fundraisers you can hold, is to simply partner with a local pet supply company, and setup a table or booth outside their store. In exchange for allowing you to "setup" your fundraiser outside their store, you should agree to purchase all your needed supplies from them. Another incentive to recruit a partner for your animal fundraiser is to offer store coupons to your donors.
A simple "item" to sell at your table would be dog treats. Buy them at bulk from your partner store and re-package them into smaller bundles which you can then sell at a profit. Make the bundles special by adding stickers, or ribbons to the package. You want to make sure your table is accessible in front of the store, but at the same time, you do not want your animal fundraiser to interfere with your partner's business.
Outside The Box - Fundraising Events
Another fun way to raise money for your animal shelter or charity is to hold "doggie" contests. These contests can range from "cutest dog" pageants to agility and obedience contests. Make sure your try to encourage local businesses to sponsor your fundraising contests. You can have multiple levels of sponsorship to enable more businesses to take part. You also want to charge an entry fee, which can be a donation to your charity.
"Dog Wash"
A "Dog Wash" is the perfect animal fundraiser for a warm sunny day. Setup some stations using kiddie pools, or some large tubs. Offer "free washes" with any size donation. This will encourage people to be more generous.
Crafts & Services Fair
Holding a pet themed craft or service fair is a great money maker for your charity. Invite local artists and pet-themed businesses to setup booths at your fair. You can charge a "vendor fee" to each participating business. You might also want to encourage your vendors to donate a certain percentage of their proceeds to your fundraiser.
"Dog Walk" - A Thon
A great way to get some exercise and raise funds for your charity is to hold a "Dog Walk" - A Thon. Encourage volunteers to walk a certain number of miles with their pets. Each person can obtain "pledges" from their friends, families and local businesses. If enough people walk, the pledges will add up, and be very profitable to your fundraising efforts.
Top Five Do's
1. Partner with a local pet supply store.
2. Ensure any signs and posters can be read from a distance.
3. Recruit corporate sponsors.
4. Think outside the box. "Doggie" contests. "Dog Washes". "Dog Walk"-A-Thons.
5. xxxx.
Top Five Don'ts
1. Interfere with partner store's business.
2. Dabble. Have a specific cause and mission and mind for your fundraiser.
3. xxx
4. xxx
5. xxx
Top Five Links
1. United States Dog Agility Association
2. xxx
3. xxx
4. xxx
5. Fundraising