Alchemy of Fundraising Mistti Ritter – Γθ 1992 President, St. Louis Chapter Presented: 49 th Biennial Conclave

Not a 501(c)3 Nonprofit

The Stonecutters Song Who controls the British crown? Who keeps the metric system down? We do! We do. Who leaves Atlantis off the maps? Who keeps the Martians under wraps? We do! We do. Who holds back the electric car? Who makes Steve Guttenberg a star? We do! We do. Who robs cave fish of their sight? Who rigs every Oscars ® night? We do! We do.

We’re Also Not… Foundation We don’t exist to give away money Honorary We don’t exist to give awards Service We don’t exist to provide volunteers

Chapters need money! Conclave delegate costs Meeting costs food, printing Chapter Newsletters Recruiting/Pledge expenses Initiation Expenses Underwriting initiation fees Pledges with financial need Faculty? Seed money for sales items Professional Activities Chemistry Outreach Professional Development Professional Social Opportunities Scholarship/loan programs Awards & Recognition Contributions to university or causes and Social events

How do Chapters get funding? Annual dues / Social dues 5% alumni contribution Gifts-in-kind University activity funds Interest on investments Earned income tutoring, departmental assistance Special earned wages concessions, grape-picking, etc Loans Collegiate Activity Fund Honorariums for outreach Selling stuff goggles, lab books, cupcakes Special Events swing dances, raffles, auctions Special Donations Grants / Sponsorships Direct solicitation chapter alumni and friends

…You are Chemists And Engineers, but not Professional Fundraisers…

Don’t Panic

Emerald Tablet under Resources Depository of detailed list of ideas and tips Expanded sections of specific topics Alumni Mailing Solicitation Creating and Maintaining Donor Lists Modern fundraising trends FAQ based on your chapter’s questions

Alchemy of Fundraising – the art & science Five Rights in Giving When the right donor is asked for the right gift by the right person at the right time for the right purpose.

The Right Purpose Operations should already be covered Dues, etc. Extras need effort Earn the money Do the work Mission oriented programs This is fundraising!

A Donor’s Criteria to Give Linkage to the organization Ability to give at level being sought Interest in the organization’s work

Fundraising 101—Step One Chapter Plan Identify Chapter goals and objectives Based on the mission (Our Objects) Define needs of community or Brothers Generate ideas of Programs to address needs Professional development for Members Professional social opportunities for Members Chemistry outreach to unique audiences

Fundraising 101—Step Two Program Plan Determine if Program is mission related (if you don’t know our mission recite Our Objects) Does Program address the needs significantly Can your Chapter achievable the goals of Program Will fundraising costs exceed Program expenses

Fundraising 101—Step Three Fundraising Plan Who—appoint a Fundraising Chair When—create a realistic timeline and start early How—define your methods What—add the specific details The List Prospects—not just alumni, but locals, faculty, etc.

Fundraising 101—Step Four Chemists know not everything takes just three steps After research and creating a Plan… Now you can start Fundraising! Document Everything! Your next years of fundraising depends on this Take special care of The List Create and uphold a policy on maintaining The List Never put it on the unsecured Internet for spam- search bots

When to Mail to Alumni Special program or specific need Defined why current funding is not enough Defined benefits for each audience Chapter / Brothers Beneficiary Donor Ability to prove successful with goals Expect 2-5% response as good

The other 95%... Why those who don’t respond are important You reintroduced our Fraternity and our Objects to your Brothers You reconnected them to your Chapter You are cultivating a culture of charitable giving You are laying a foundation for future donor relations for your Chapter and our national organization.