PRIDE Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment Fundraising Tips

PRIDE Initiative Founded in 1997 by Congressman Hal Rogers & the late General James Bickford, who was the Ky. Environmental Protection Secretary The PRIDE mission is to: 1. Improve water quality 2. Clean up solid waste problems 3. Promote environmental education & awareness Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment

PRIDE Service Area 42 counties in Southern & Eastern Kentucky PRIDE Coordinators (volunteers) appointed by all judge-executives & many mayors Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment

PRIDE Progress 411,167 Volunteers 1,379,065 Volunteer hours 29,556 Homes with septic systems or sewer access 2,882 Illegal dumps eliminated 796,551 Bags of trash & an additional 179,365 tons of trash collected 962,939 Old tires recovered 42,459 Tons of appliances recycled 657,819 Students impacted by education grants 397 Outdoor classrooms & 129 greenhouses built 55 School recycling projects launched Region-Wide Since 1997

Fundraising Basics Don’t be afraid to ask Be prepared to ask: –Tailor your request to each donor –How will that donor’s funds be used? –Why is your project a good investment for that donor? –What will the benefit be to that donor?

Get Organized Form a nonprofit organization so donations will be tax deductible Spread responsibility for fundraising across a committee –Can reach more potential donors in less time –Committee members can personally reach out to the people they know, reducing “cold calls” Invite potential donors to your planning meetings so they can “buy in” to the project

Start with Partners Identify potential donors as you build partnerships to help with cleanups Brainstorm specific groups in your community that may want to help with cleanups (volunteer, promote, etc.) Ask to speak at their next meetings Ask them to recruit volunteers and promote your cleanups internally

Identify Donors As you build partnerships, look for individuals and groups to make financial or in-kind donations Cash donations may be easiest for some donors If cash isn’t an option, suggest in-kind donations, such as: –Supplying food and door prizes –Publicizing or staffing your cleanups –Sponsoring one of your cleanups –Sponsoring their own cleanup –Etc.

What’s In It For Them Remind donors their support is a highly visible service to your community — which is very appealing to many businesses and organizations Give them credit in promotions before, during and after the event, including: –Banners/signs –Press releases –Social media

Example: Ride for PRIDE Planning committee –Invite anyone who can help –Start meeting early –Set a regular meeting time In-kind donations save you money –London Drag Way –Portable showers –Etc.

Example: Ride for PRIDE Offer a variety of incentives for donors –Logo on T-shirt –Sign at entrance –Recognition in press releases, on web, etc.

Contact Mark Davis Eastern Kentucky PRIDE, Inc S. Hwy. 27 Somerset, KY (toll free)