Global Fund for Women
Women's Fundraising Handbook

Where is the Money?

Over the months, numerous women have participated in fundraising workshops with The Global Fund. When we asked them: "Where is the money?" they came up with many ideas, most of which are listed below. Remember when a famous bank robber was asked "Why do you rob banks?" he answered "Because that is where the money is!" We do not advise you to rob banks-certainly not! But if we want to raise money, let's go to where the money is!

Introduction

Women, Money, Empowerment

Lessons Learned

Where is the Money?
Fundraising Events Within Your Community

Fundraising Ideas For Your Group

Ask Individuals

Ask Community Organizations

Governmental Organizations

UN and Related Agencies

Organizations that Ocassionally Fund Women's Groups

Raising Money for a Small or Beginning Project

Organizations that Give to Women's Groups

 

Fundraising Events Within Your Community  

Auctions
Awards ceremonies
Bake sales
Bazaars
Beauty pageants
Benefit performances
Book luncheon/launching/event
Braai (barbecue) with a
  discussion about an issue
  with invitations to banks/
  other companies
Bridge contests
Bring/buy/sell
Candle sales
Casinos
Charity sales/jumble sale
Co-hosting events
Cocktail party/exhibition/
  art sale
Concerts
Crafts sales
Dances
Dinners

Fashion show
Harambee (women joining
  together to help each
  other/themselves)
Having a speaker
  "passing the hat"
Having an open house
  with a donation box
Marathons
Merry-go-round
Organizing dinners/lunches/
  selling seats at tables
Performing on the street
Raffles/Lotteries
Sponsored walks
Sports events with sponsors
Selling tickets for a
  theater play/dance/film
Street fairs/carnivals
Swimathon
Walks

Fundraising Ideas For Your Group  

Direct mail
Dues/membership fees
Save money by more efficient management
Reduce unnecessary costs
Investment income
Magazine ads
Mortgage
Tax reduction/exemption
Business profit
Cause-related marketing
Challenge a donor to match the funds you raise
Percentage from credit cards
Real estate investments
Wills/bequests

Ask Individuals 

Yourself
Friends
People who have given in the past
Politicians
Family members
Business people
The people you have served

Ask Community Organizations  

Local churches and their affiliated organizations (YWCA, youth groups)
Local/national charities
Local/national businesses and corporations (ask for money
   as well as Service/product discounts or donations)
Local women's groups
Local service organizations (Kiwanis, Rotary, Soroptomists)
Local/national banks (borrow from banks/community savings, procure a Loan, revolving loan funds, accept donations from local banks)

Governmental Organizations  

Your own federal/state/city government agencies
Local embassies (self-help fund/small project assistance programs)
EEC (European Economic Community)
Government development organizations
Peace Corps
AIDAB (Australia)
CIDA (Canada)
DANIDA (Denmark)
FINIDA (Finland)
NORAD (Norway)
ODA (UK)
SIDA (Sweden)
USAID (US)

UN and Related Agencies  

PAHO (Pan-American Health Organization)
UNICEF (Children's Fund)
UNDP (Development Programme)
UNFPA (Fund for Population Activities)
UNESCO (Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization)
WHO (World Health Organization)

Organizations that Occasionally Fund Women's Groups  

Arab Council for Motherhood
ATT and other international corporations
Avina Ford
FPIA (Family Planning International Association) Foster Plans
IDRC (International Development Research Centre)
IWHC (International Women's Health Coalition)
Inter African
Inter American Parliament Group
Red Banner
Social Development Fund
Social Investment Fund
World Association Christian Committee

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