Fundraising for Conservation Districts and State Associations

Ways Fundraising Assists Districts Provides more freedom within the budget for activities throughout the year Provides for staffing outside program dollars Allows extra staff and board training and travel Allows for support of state and national associations Allows districts to become a more active partner in coalitions and initiatives

Fun Ways to Fundraise

Gun Raffle Requires 1 or 2 decks of playing cards Donation of a gun You may substitute the gun for another widely desired item if this does not appeal to your audience.

Souvenir Plastic Cup at Open Bar Souvenir plastic cups sold at event with an open bar Secretly mark one cup for a $25 cash prize Can serve as a promotional piece beyond the event

Pottery Raffle Keep an annual event Try to use local or famous artisan for pottery donation

Quilt Raffle Developed for state associations or foundations Conservation Districts each make a quilt square or donate $25 to have one made Conservation Districts are each given raffle tickets to sell throughout the year The district selling the most tickets receives a cash prize and state-wide recognition

Silent Auction Developed for state associations or foundations Estimated target of 100 donated items from conservation districts and individuals Held during annual meeting

Live Auction Developed for state associations or foundations Limit to 70 nice donated items A good auctioneer keeps the audience energized and excited Advertise items in advance

Draw Down Held at an event – NACD holds this fundraiser during the Live Auction at the Annual Meeting Tickets sold for a chance to win the prize money Depending on the size of the event and audience, the ticket price and prize money are determined (Rules to the Draw Down are as follows…)

Draw Down Rules (as used by NACD – may be altered for your event) 1.Tickets for the Draw Down are $20 each 2.A minimum of 50 tickets must be sold before the Draw Down can begin 3.In the event 50 tickets are not sold, all money will be refunded 4.The Draw Down is conducted during an event such as the NACD Live Auction 5.A few tickets will be drawn at intervals during the auction

Draw Down Rules (continued) 6.The names on those tickets will appear on the screen 7.When a name appears on the screen, that person my buy back into the Draw Down for an additional $20 ONLY from the time their name is drawn until the next drawing. 8.When there are only 10 tickets left to be drawn, no one may buy back into the Draw Down.

Draw Down Rules (continued) 9.The last 10 names will be called to stand. 10.These 10 tickets will be put back in for the final Draw Down. 11.As the names are drawn, those people will be asked to sit down 12.The last two people standing will receive $500 each

Golf Tournaments Consider holding it before or after your annual meeting as a special event Potential to draw in people from outside your normal customer base, introducing them to conservation

Poker Run Event is held for either motorcycles or boats Requires many volunteers Participants pay entry fee and cash prize is given to the winner Follow event with a party Potential to draw in people from outside your normal customer base, introducing them to conservation

5K Run Participants pay a fee to enter Recruit sponsors for T-shirts given to participants Prize money set aside for winner Requires many volunteers Requires coordination with the city

Sell Items at the Office Sell things your customers would want or need Make sure there aren’t local providers for these items Advertise in your newsletter and website

Other Special Events BBQ with local produce and meat Boat trip or Rafting tour (highlight conservation practices along the way) Nature hikes Yard sales from donated items Wine-tasting using local wineries Bike ride

We want to hear from you! Send us your fun and unique fundraising ideas to share with others! Ideas should be sent to: Beth Mason, Phylis Vandevere,