|
|
|||||
|
|||||
| Path: Main Street : Resources & Library : Research Articles : Feature Article |
Volunteer organization the key to successful golf fundraisers
June 23, 1998; Canadian FundRaiserWhen people say they'd love to spend a day on the golf course, playing 100 holes is not likely what they have in mind. But the United Way of Cambridge and North Dumfries is hoping that 40 volunteers will golf from dawn to dusk to help raise upwards of $40,000. "We're hoping to attract golfers who will each get sponsors," says Heidi Pettitt, Campaign and Marketing Manager for the United Way. "We're looking at people we know are involved in the United Way and are also contacting area golf courses to get new volunteers."
ForeFund Inc proposed the idea of hosting a golf marathon to United Way officials. Since 1994, the company has helped over 70 organizations, businesses and institutions in coordinating golf marathons. Its list of past and present clients includes the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, the Lung Association, the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Rotary clubs and the Hamilton Spectator.
On average, a ForeFund marathon raises over $40,000 with a net return of 60% of that amount. The cost of the golf course, marketing, prizes, food for golfers and ForeFund's fee fall under the 40% expenses. ForeFund provides on-site training for volunteers, marketing and recruitment strategies, printed materials, guidebooks for volunteer committee members, and help in selecting a golf course. In exchange for its services, ForeFund receives a fee of 20% of gross pledges from the event.
Need not be disruptive
Properly handled, a golf marathon can be added to a charity's regular fundraising program without disruption. As Doug Dombroski, president of ForeFund, puts it, "Our focus is to get the volunteers involved in raising the funds. By engaging volunteers and providing them with incentives, both in terms of a new recreational event and the potential to win prizes, this event is not one that will disturb a charity's development schedule."ForeFund encourages its client organizations to recruit volunteers to be on a committee that will take charge of the event at the community level. It then provides each committee member with a job description, detailed time-lines and on-going personal guidance. The client is also asked to chose a person to act as a liaison with the committee. Usually, this individual utilizes the ForeFund brochure templates to design a customized marketing piece for the marathon, while the main focus of the committee is to focus on volunteer recruitment and sponsorship morale. Dombroski points out that if they dedicate six to eight hours a week for six weeks to the project, volunteers should have no difficulty achieving the goals ForeFund sets out.
"This event gives volunteers the opportunity to take ownership of a fundraiser," says Pettitt. "We also hold an elimination draw in which people buy tickets on a draw in which every 25th ticket drawn wins a prize, and we're considering hosting a Jail and Bail day. The golf marathon gives us an event that will build support from our volunteers and will hopefully raise a significant amount."
For more information contact ForeFund at 1-800-307-3719.
|
|||
