Fundraise

Template Business/Community Sponsorship Letter

akroetsch — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:56:03 -0400

Sponsor a Student at the End Genocide Action Summit, Help End Genocide

On October 22nd-24th, STAND (a national student anti-genocide coalition) will bring together a powerful network of students, community leaders and activists from across the country to Capitol Hill for the End Genocide Action Summit: a conference designed to educate, empower, and highlight the work of activists who are driving the movement to prevent and stop genocide and mass atrocities.

Please help our chapter’s efforts to attend End Genocide Action Summit by making a donation. [INSERT TANGIBLES LINE HERE re: what your chapter is asking for. Remember to be specific!] As a sponsor, your business will receive [INSERT SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS HERE (ex. Free advertising at your events, a thank-you dinner].

About the End Genocide Action Summit

The End Genocide Action Summit seeks to create an experience for participants that will empower them to become stronger leaders on their campuses and in their communities while demonstrating the strength of the movement to end genocide to policymakers on Capitol Hill. Hundreds of activists and experts will convene in Washington, D.C. around a common theme and purpose: creating a generation without genocide.

The three-day conference will feature the following components:

1. Workshops: Genocide Prevention, Activism, Sudan, Burma and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

2. Training: Training sessions on grassroots organizing, media outreach and social media techniques, advocacy, and other fundamental activist skills.

3. Panel Discussions: Panel discussions featuring world-renowned experts and policy makers. Invited speakers include Ambassador Susan Rice, Samantha Power, David Pressman, John Prendergast, Romeo Dallaire, Members of Congress and Presidential administration officials.

4. Networking Events: Regional activist networking events where participants can share best practices and exchange ideas.

5. Lobby Day: Concluding the conference, the largest lobby day in the history of genocide prevention legislation on October 24th.

About STAND

STAND, the student-led division of Genocide Intervention Network/Save Darfur Coalition, envisions a world in which the international community protects civilians from genocidal violence and mass atrocities. At its core, our mission is to empower individuals and communities with the tools to prevent and stop genocide. Born out of the fight to stop the genocide in Darfur, Sudan, STAND is devoted to creating a sustainable student network that actively fights genocide wherever it may occur.

End Genocide Action Summit Fundraising Letter (Sample)

akroetsch — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:33:47 -0400

Sample End Genocide Action Summit Fundraising Letter

Dear Aunt Gayle,

I hope you’re doing well. I’m writing to ask you for help with something that is extremely important to me and to countless numbers of people across the globe.

As you may know, I am a member of STAND, a coalition that empowers student leaders with the tools and resources to stop and prevent genocide. For example, students of STAND are working with fellow students as well as with affected communities to build political will for policies that help end genocide and protect civilians in conflict.

On October 22nd, student and community activists around the country will convene in Washington, DC for the End Genocide Action Summit – a conference designed to educate, empower, and highlight the work of activists who are driving the movement to prevent and stop genocide and mass atrocities. Hundreds of activists and other experts will convene in Washington, D.C. around a common theme and purpose: creating a generation without genocide.

The End Genocide Action Summit will equip me with grassroots organizing and advocacy skills, plus in-depth education on conflicts of concern. Preeminent speakers and experts in the field will lead these discussions by providing their critical perspectives and inviting an exchange of ideas. In addition, I will meet with Insert name of your Senator here! on an October 24th lobby day to push for key genocide prevention legislation. By donating to my school’s STAND Chapter, you can make a tangible impact on our efforts to protect and empower those targeted in Sudan, Burma, and the Congo.

Your contribution, large or small, can make a big impact on my ability to be empowered by this conference!

- $50-100 ß depends when you register covers one student’s End Genocide Action Summit registration fee

- $___ covers one student’s travel to and from Washington D.C.

- $___ covers one student’s accommodations for one night.

I ask you to join me in taking a STAND against genocide and mass atrocities.

Your donation will help my STAND chapter and me participate in this historical conference. Thank you for considering this request. I will call you in the next week to follow up.

Please contact me by phone [your phone] or email [your email] if you have any questions about the End Genocide Action Summit or our anti-genocide advocacy work.

Sincerely,

Your Favorite STAND Student

Checks can be made out to: University STAND Chapter, 123 A Street, Your City, Your State ZIP or your home address in case someone is sponsoring you specifically, rather than your chapter as a whole.

Tax ID number

janessa — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:12:31 -0400

STAND is the student-led division of United to End Genocide. United to End Genocide is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States. All donations are deductible for computing income and estate taxes (tax ID #30-0335420).

Event Tips

janessa — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:00:09 -0400

Check out STAND's How-To Guides!

How To Organize A Road Race

How To Organize A Prom Dress Sale

How To Organize A Benefit Concert

General Tips and Tricks

Decide what type of event will be most effective for the goals you are aiming to accomplish. For example, would a film screening or speaker better suit your purpose for holding the event?
Test your idea out — ask a few friends what they think. Consider what kind of resources you will need to make it a success. Bounce it off your Outreach Coordinator for more feedback and insider tips!
Get a team together, rather than working on your own. Make a list of tasks, find out what skills people have, and try to give them tasks they'll enjoy. Make sure everyone knows what their responsibilities are.
Come up with a back-up plan. For example, what will you do if it rains?
Do research and estimate how many people might turn up. What is the minimum number of people you'll need to make money? What's the maximum number of people you can accommodate?
Think about the best date. Avoid competing with another local function or a major TV event, for example. Agree on a realistic timetable and give each task a deadline.
Think of ways to keep costs down and your proceeds up. Try to get as much as you can for free — whether it's people's time, a venue, food, publicity, printing, commercial sponsorship or prizes.
Bring materials about the organization you're fundraising for - email STAND's fundraising coordinator for tips and sample materials at fundraising@standnow.org!
Remember to thank everyone involved and let them know how much they've raised.
Above all, make it fun!

Other Fundraising Ideas

Join the Eco-Cell Project. Got any old cell phones lying around your room? Donate your old phones, and money can go to GI-NET and STAND!
Set up a donation box around your school, workplace, dining hall or place of worship. Distribute information about genocide (you can request flyers from us).
Ask local musical groups to perform at a “battle of the bands.” Charge admission or set up a donation box at the event.
Have a bake sale or car wash.
Organize a tournament involving poker, video games, a dance marathon, etc. Charge admission from the participants of the event. You can either give a small portion of the proceeds to the winner, or have it be a “benefit tournament” with all winnings sent to the anti-genocide cause.
Local businesses often look to promote philanthropic causes. Educate them on the aspirations of GI-NET and see if they would be willing to make a donation.
If there is an anti-genocide related event outside your area, encourage your religious organization or other group to sponsor your travel expenses.

Fundraising ideas

janessa — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:39:25 -0400

Join the Eco-Cell Project. Got any old cell phones lying around your room? Donate your old phones, and money can go to GI-NET and STAND!
Set up a donation box around your school, workplace, dining hall or place of worship. Distribute information about genocide (you can request flyers from us).
Ask local musical groups to perform at a “battle of the bands.” Charge admission or set up a donation box at the event.
Have a bake sale or car wash.
Organize a tournament involving poker, video games, a dance marathon, etc. Charge admission from the participants of the event. You can either give a small portion of the proceeds to the winner, or have it be a “benefit tournament” with all winnings sent to the anti-genocide cause.
Local businesses often look to promote philanthropic causes. Educate them on the aspirations of GI-NET and see if they would be willing to make a donation.
If there is an anti-genocide related event outside your area, encourage your religious organization or other group to sponsor your travel expenses.

For event How-To's, check out our Event Tips

Fundraise

janessa — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:53:37 -0400

Photo by Gabriel Stauring.

* Event Tips and How-To's * Where Your Money Goes * Donate * Tax ID number * Share your fundraising story * Core Chapter Grants *

In regions devastated by violence, every dollar counts. Money you raise in your community will make a meaningful impact on civilians whose lives have been devastated by brutal and genocidal regimes and help prevent future atrocities.

By hosting a fundraiser in your community, you can spread awareness about the genocide prevention and the ongoing conflicts in Sudan, Burma and Congo, giving your friends, family, and community an unprecedented opportunity to contribute to the protection of innocent civilians.

When you donate to STAND, 77 cents of each dollar you raise goes directly towards GI-NET's genocide prevention efforts and activist leadership development programs. For more information, email STAND's Fundraising Coordinator at fundraising@standnow.org!