Discount Card Articles

Many non-profit groups need members and funds alike for them to function properly, host activities and give donations to charitable institutions. However, because members cannot always contribute items or money to their groups, they need to hold fundraising events and activities to gather money for their own causes. There are several fundraising activities that groups can hold such as auctions, garage sales, bake sales, small concerts, carnival fairs and benefit dinners. However, if groups want a fundraiser that will not only benefit their own causes but also help out people who will be buying the items they are selling, then they should fundraise by selling discount cards.

There are companies that sell discount cards to groups for fundraising purposes, so they can just contact these companies to order the cards. Most of the time, pre-made discount cards have a set group of businesses included in the discount programs. There are also customizable discount cards if groups want to have freedom in choosing which shops or fast food stores will be included in the discount program. However, if they want various businesses in their local communities to join the fundraising discount programs, then they can just contact these businesses and print the discount cards themselves. The first thing these groups have to do is to call up shops and businesses in their area and explain the purpose of their fundraiser. They can then ask these businesses if they want to be included in their fundraising discount programs and ask what kind of discounts or promos they can give consumers who will buy the discount cards. Printing the business logos of those included in the fundraising program on customizable discount cards comes next.

Contacting businesses sounds easy enough, but it’s getting them to participate that’s difficult. Groups have to clearly state their goals for fundraising and merchants have to understand these goals for them to commit to the fundraiser. Groups should also show businesses that participating in their fundraising discount programs is also a form of advertisement. Aside from having shops promoted by having their logos printed on the discount cards, consumers will also most likely flock to their shops to avail of discounts and promos.

Groups aiming to raise money for charity or for certain activities can use various fundraising methods. They can host bake sales, hold sports tournaments and hold small concerts. They can also try selling cookie dough, awareness bracelets and fundraising discount cards. Fundraising discount cards seem to be the most ideal items to be sold during fundraisers because they can also be very useful to those buying the discount cards. The discount cards will surely appeal to people who want to save on their purchases and want to help out a good cause at the same.

Groups who choose to fundraise using these cards need to decide on what type of fundraising discount cards they will be selling. Location is also important when selling these cards. There are several types of fundraising discount cards: shopping cards, pizza cards and fast food cards. These cards are easy to sell because they offer good value for consumers and they produce good results. Discount shopping cards are normally packed with a selection of prearranged discounts at national and local businesses. Special offers, fixed discounts or percentage discounts are normally contained in these cards. Groups can sell them in areas in shopping districts or in malls.

Discount pizza cards are usually tied to a single national chain that provides consumers two-for-one offers on every single order of a pizza. Fast food discount cards give consumers fixed discounts on various meals or food items. Discounts, however, may be limited to just one to a couple of locations of one particular chain. Nevertheless, it still allows the consumer to spend less than they would without the fast food discount cards. Both discount pizza cards and fast food discount cards can be sold at malls, fast food chains and pizza parlors.

Most fundraising discount cards are sold at $10 per card, but the price will change depending on the number of participating merchants, chains and locations. Groups should make sure that their target market understands what their causes and goals are by selling the discount cards. It’s important for the group to advertise the sale of the fundraising cards along with their goals because those will most likely draw people to buy the cards.

First let’s look at why people donate.  Donors give to a fundraising campaign because they believe in the cause.  In general, money that donors give to a fundraising campaign comes from the money they have left over after they have paid all of their other expenses.  In practice I have found that this does not work very well in the current economic conditions.
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Preparing for two workshops on fundraising for staff, volunteers, and founders new to it, I began making a list that didn’t end up in either presentation. My inspiration was that there are some fundamental truths that novices just can’t believe. These are the things I find myself emphasizing, as in, “No, seriously. It’s true.”

Here’s the list, not quite edited. And warning: it’s a little preachy.

1. People give when asked (and rarely when they are not). Even when people are asked, they don’t always give.

So what? (a) Ask for more gifts than the number you need. (b) Embrace the word “No.”

2. “Donors are not ATMs” (Kim Klein).

So what? Kim Klein says, “If you want them to give more than once, you need to thank them and keep them posted on what your organization is doing with their money.” If you don’t know who Kim Klein is, find out and get at least one of her books.

3. Do not attempt this alone.

One person does not a fundraising committee make. More askers means more asks, which means more no’s and also more yeses. One asker just isn’t enough. But most people (read “your board members”) are afraid of asking for money.

Now what? Spend some time building a team of people to help you. Board, other staff, major donors, active volunteers, friendly celebs and community leaders. But SOMEONE (probably you) still needs to coordinate, help them face their fear, and accountability.

4. You have to ask specific people to do or give specific things, specifically. “Y’all come” solicitations are not too effective and or meaningful. The underlying message needs to be, “I mean you. Your gift will make a big difference.”

So what? The more personal the contact, the better response you’ll get (and, as fundraising trainers from the Denver-based Gill Foundation say, “and, bonus, the less expensive and more efficient”).

5. Most of your gifts (and grants) will come from a small number of people (and funders).

So what? Spend most of your time working with these donors. Not because they are more important (is it a line in The Fantastics? No small actors, just small parts). Because securing 80% of your organizations funding will enable you do to ensure you can do at least 80% of your work.

6. Most of your donors will give small gifts. And you need those gifts, because (a) they add up, and (b) they represent Regular People Who Care and Are Inspired to Invest Their Own Cash in What You Do, and that’s powerful, and (c) you’re building a movement, right?

So what? Take care of these donors respectfully, while doing it efficiently.

7. Different sources of revenue offer different pluses and minuses. No one source is sufficient. For some of them, see a paper by the brilliant Jon Pratt.

So what? Diversify, diversify, diversify.

Discount cards are a great fundraiser, but can reduce your profits if you have to buy them from a large fundraising retailer. The heavy, plastic cards with huge franchise logos are nice, but a few computer savvy people with the right printer can make just as good professional looking card themselves and increase profits.

To start, you need heavy cardstock and printer ink, both of which can be donated by a local office supply along with lamination services for when your cards are complete.

Canvass your local businesses. Take along a form with a space to write the agreement, and get a manager’s or owner’s signature. Leave them a copy and keep one for your files. Different businesses will be willing to commit to different things – have a list of suggestions ready!

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Plastic fundraising cards are proving to be very effective with many different types of businesses and organizations. These wallet-sized wonders are being created as a tool to raise money for charitable organizations, in addition to the flexibility of producing cards for gift, loyalty and membership marketing purposes.

Plastic fundraising cards usually include a variety of discounts that are accepted through the participation of local, regional and national merchants in your target marketing area. A typical plastic fundraising card could retail for $10 and offer unlimited usage of special offers. In addition, special one-time or limited time offers can be provided by the merchant through the card. This type of offer frequently covers half the purchase price of the product or service.

Some of the more popular retailer promotions that have been launched include free drinks with fast food orders, discounts on sandwiches, money saving offers on video rentals, haircut discounts and more.
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Every year, fundraisers have been scrambling for successful fundraising ideas. Here are 7 good and simple ideas that fundraisers can organize:-

Cookie Dough fundraisers
This is a preferred fundraiser for all times of a year. Just take orders and sell tubs of tasty cookie mix to your group. Profit margins 30-50%.

Fundraising Cookbooks
Formulating a personalized cookbook is preferred for groups such as churches, schools, charities and hospitals. Profit per book can be from $3-$10.

Pizza Fundraiser cards
People will be happy to pay for these cards that grant them giveaway pizzas. If your organization is widespread geographically, this might be ideal. Profit margins 70-90%.

Scratch label fundraising
Easy to sequence and can be printed from a couple pieces to a large number for your organization e.g. basketball, baseball, tall school, etc. Each leader in your organization starts fundraising with 1 scratch card, then the rest of the organization simply approach friends, family, and neighbors to continue scratching! Profit ranges from 90% upwards.
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With cut backs and the state of the economy everyone is looking for ways to save or make money. If you are one of these people then The money Savings Card may just be the fundraiser for you. The money Saving Card is a discount card you sell to your supporters. With this card the holder gets membership to one of the best money saving shopping websites. As a member they will receive savings up to 75% on many or most of the stores they already shop at on the internet.
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When it comes to sports fundraising, we need come up with many new ideas. Only when we use new and innovative sports fundraising ideas we will be able to meet our target. The sports fundraising ideas that we use should be interesting so that people will be encouraged to give more. One of the latest sports fundraising ideas is scratch card fundraisers.
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Fundraisers are a lot more work than people seem to realize. Effective fundraisers require advanced planning and a small group of very dedicated individuals. Often times you do not see the behind the scenes work that goes into a fundraiser. In order to plan fundraisers you must have a clear vision of when, where, and how the task will be accomplished. Key characteristics of successful fundraisers include those with dedication, perseverance, creativity, patience, and organizational skills.

Being organized is an essential element to anyone who works on fundraisers. They require special meetings and constant communication during the week. It is a collaborative activity and each of the group members should have a say. Designating roles is important and should be done shortly after forming a group. Possible roles include secretary (for group communications), a logistical planner, activities director, and project manager. Fundraisers are only as successful as those who planned them.

When planning a fundraiser keep in mind the ages of those who are hosting it, and of their target audience. The fundraisers should be easily adopted by members of your group or cause, ensuring that it is accessible to everyone. In order for successful fundraisers you will need manpower during, after, and before the event. You do not want to be stuck doing all the work, or putting too much responsibility on one person. (more…)