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Take the 10% Challenge!
MD19 Lions showed a tremendous amount of support for White Cane Days last year, and we don't want to lose that momentum. As the campaign raises more money, the Foundation is able to help more people see. But, we can't raise money without a strong base of Clubs supporting us. So that's what this challenge is: a way to raise more money while strengthening your Club.
Essentially, we want to increase last year's total of $226,000 by 10%. We think that if every participating Club increases their take by that percentage, we'll top $250,000 for the first time since 2002. Those funds mean we can help more people! Here's the 10% Challenge in a nutshell:
- Increase your White Cane Days earnings by 10%.
- Accomplish this goal by getting corporate support for your campaign.
As we mentioned earlier, it's not a huge increase for most Clubs – probably less than $100.
Your Club will benefit from new community exposure, a long-term partnership that benefits all of your projects, and maybe even new Club members. The business will benefit from free advertising. And, most importantly, people across the region will be able to see because of what we're doing.
Here's how you can raise 10% more this year through one new business sponsorship:
- Start local. Identify 2 local businesses that you have some connection with. Just about every Club has members who own small businesses or can make these decisions in their workplace. They already know about the great things Lions do in your community…are they willing to give you a gift?
- Start small. There's nothing wrong with approaching a business, telling them that you intend to request support for the campaign, and asking them what an appropriate amount might be. Remember: smaller companies equal smaller gifts, and that's OK! If 10 businesses give $100 gifts, you just raised $1,000! You already know first-hand how loose change and dollar bills build up in collection jars. That same principle applies with local businesses.
- Introduce the cause. Introduce your Club and its function, then the Foundation and White Cane Days. Use the collateral material in the Resource Book to illustrate what we do. Make your case compelling – use real stories, pictures if you have them. Tug at their heart strings!
- Use proven sources. Does the local hardware store sponsor a baseball team? Did Wal-Mart just move in? Companies like these have shown their support, so use that to your advantage. To learn about Wal-Mart's Community Support Program, visit www.wal-martstores.com and click on "Community" (the third link from the left). Safeway's guidelines can be found at www.safewayfoundation.org; Kroger's can be found at www.thekrogerco.com. The corporate guidelines are just a start – don't be afraid to walk in and ask for a manager or community relations person.
- Offer something in return. Businesses small and large benefit from free advertising. Having a sign at your table thanking them for their contribution could be all it takes. Other Clubs hold an appreciation luncheon and send out certificates. Find out what your sponsor wants and find a way to give it to them.
- Sell your Club. White Cane Days is a small piece of Lions Clubs' pies. Show your potential sponsors that they are not just giving money to some random group of people – you already build parks, give kids glasses, and sponsor families at Christmas. Invite them to a meeting and show them that you're an integral part of the community!
- Ask the person who makes the decisions. Go directly to the source of funding. Store managers or owners are the people who can make important decisions, so it's best to just start there.
- Be unconventional. Ask for challenge or matching grants. Offer unique recognition methods. Can the business support you with goods instead of money?
- Cater to individual needs. Personalization goes a long way. If you're writing letters to store managers, use their names, not "To Whom It May Concern." Also, in direct talks with these people, find out what appeals to them about your Club or the Northwest Lions Foundation. If your contact is really impressed with how we help kids, run with it! Finally, find out how your businesses would like to be thanked and respect their wishes. As always, call or e-mail the Foundation to ask any questions you have or to request a letter to be sent.
- Water those seeds! It's great that the owner of the travel agency gave you some money for your campaign. It would be even better if she did it again next year. How are you going to accomplish that? Cultivation! Send a hand-written thank you note as soon as you receive the check. Invite her to a Club meeting. Tell her about the ribbon-cutting ceremony on the new park you helped build. Pretty soon, she has a huge amount of respect for what you do. Heck, you might even get a new member in your Club! It all boils down to this: you can't grow corn without giving it water and fertilizer. The same goes for your donors – let them know how important they are to you, and how worthy you are of their support.
Please contact Jordan at any time if you'd like some help on any aspect of fundraising or have questions on White Cane Days. E-mail him at or call 1-800-847-5786.