> There are two main ways to
raise money for your Electric Vehicle Education Program: Direct Solicitation and
Money Raising Events. Direct Solicitation is easier and quicker,
but often only a small amount is collected from each organization. Implementing
a Money Raising Event is more time consuming and involves greater effort, but
one event can often raise a substantial amount of funds. In addition, large
money raising events often generate a good deal of publicity for the group.
DIRECT SOLICITATION >>
Before you embark on a direct solicitation campaign, develop an
educational handout or brochure with pictures and information about your group.
Be sure to describe exactly how the money requested will be used: to buy a new
electric motor or to help pay for the expenses of attending an EV Rally.
Explain that your school group is a non-profit organization and give the
school’s non-profit tax number. Also, let prospective donors know that you will
accept money, in-kind donations or help with specific projects.
Ask your club members to list every business or community organization to which
they have any contact. For example, perhaps someone’s grandfather belongs to
the Rotary Club or a club member’s next door neighbor works for a local bank.
Ask the students to call the people on their list and find out whom to contact
in the targeted organization. Then have students call and make appointments
with the appropriate individual: perhaps the PR person at a business or the
Program Chair of a community group. Set up an appointment for a visit. Send a
small group (three is a good number – teens do better with the support of
peers!). Be sure to fully prepare your solicitation teams so they can answer
all the questions asked. Give the business your informative handout or brochure
even if they don’t make a donation. Ask them if they know of anyone
else who might be willing to help. Be sure to be friendly and polite.
If a business does donate any money, send them a thank you card at once. An
inexpensive Thank You can be made on your computer. Create a certificate with a
picture of your group and merely change the name of the donating business as
needed.
Many community groups such as the Lions, Rotary, and Kiwanis are looking for different and interesting programs and are usually willing to support local school teams. Pick your most verbal and appealing students and prepare a “Dog and Pony Show” with a slide show or Power Point presentation. Bring you E-MTV and let the club president drive it – with appropriate helmet and safety gear. Check with your school to make sure your group is covered under the school’s insurance.
List the names of your donors and supporters on your school’s website, on
handouts and posters and in newspaper articles.
People like to know their contribution was appreciated.
MONEY RAISING EVENTS >>
Teens
are more apt to take ownership of your EV program
and invest their time and effort in its success if they feel they are an
integral part of the group. Ask your club members to brainstorm ideas for fund raisers - the more the
better. Decide on which event will be best for your group by assessing the skills and talents of
your individual members. For example, does someone in your club design beaded jewelry? Create an
"Electrifying" bracelet and key chain in your school colors
(or shades of GREEN) that you
can sell to school mates. Are several teens excellent cooks? Setup a booth at a local festival and
advertise that your wares are "Shockingly Good!'
Here are
some ways that others schools have raised money.
1. Hold a raffle for an item
coveted by teenagers such as a new gaming station. (Hopefully, you can get
Wal-Mart or a store to donate the prize)
2. Organize a school dance with an
interesting theme and activities such as dance contests, karaoke,
digital photo of couples, etc. Be sure to get your dance on the school calendar
early!
3. Plan a School Idol or Our School
Has Talent show. Put teasers on the school's morning announcements
and have the local newspaper do a spread.
4. Implement a dinner theater. Ask a
local restaurant to provide the food or get parents to help.Write a
script about spies trying to steal your physical science lab's recipe for making biofuel out of kudzu
or the art class's accidental discovery of a paint that absorbs solar energy and
can be used to
charge the batteries of your E-MTV.
5. Have a Rent a Teen weekend. Sell
your club member's services to local people (be sure you know the
buyers!) to clean homes, do yard work, or community service.
Plan carefully, advertise as much as
you can, and double check the details. Have fun. Doing a money making project is as much about
team spirit as raising money.
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