How to Start a Campaign: Fundraising Guide

  Download As PDF

A successful local Adopt-A-Minefield campaign depends on creative and effective fundraising strategies. Each community is unique and requires an individualized approach to fundraising. There is no single formula for success. This guide is intended as a starting point for developing a comprehensive campaign.

1. Design a Fundraising Strategy
Successful fundraising begins by defining one product (in this case, adopting a minefield or sponsoring survivor assistance) and identifying potential contributors. The landmine issue can be an effective way to mobilize a variety of groups.

• Define Your Objective: Why did your group choose to adopt a minefield? How can your reasons be channeled into an effective fundraising strategy?
• Identify Potential Contributors: Identify potential contributors within your community, including individuals, schools and universities, community groups and civic clubs, athletic leagues, religious organizations, and businesses. Create a master contact list.
• Tailor Your Message: Tailor your message to each group of potential contributors. People have different reasons for getting involved in campaigns and causes. Accordingly, different aspects of the Adopt-A-Minefield campaign and the landmine problem will appeal to different groups.

2. Local Foundations

Approach local foundations for administrative grants to enable you to effectively coordinate and implement your Adopt-A-Minefield campaign. This way, you will be able to donate the other money you raise solely to AAM.

3. Promotional Materials

Prepare promotional materials, including brochures and flyers, for distribution to potential contributors. The Adopt-A-Minefield office can offer additional materials and assistance.

4. Engage Local Businesses

Local businesses and corporations may support your campaign in a variety of ways.

• Matching Funds: Local businesses may provide matching funds for money raised in their community.
• Underwriting Events: Local businesses may underwrite fundraising events in return for advertising rights and an opportunity to market themselves to your local community.
• In-Kind Contributions: Local businesses are an important source of in-kind contributions. Printers may produce brochures or other promotional materials free or at a discounted rate, and restaurants may provide free food and refreshments at fundraising events. Event planners and consultants may also donate time to help your campaign organize events.

5. Personal Solicitations

Direct donation requests are a highly successful method of fundraising. People often contribute money only if asked personally. Identify potential contributors and find out what, if any, charities they donate to. This information will help you tailor your campaign to those individuals and groups most likely to contribute to Adopt-A-Minefield.

6. Celebrity Endorsements

Ask a local celebrity or well-known figure to endorse your Adopt-A-Minefield campaign. Invite this person to fundraising events and to appear in public service announcements on behalf of your campaign.

7. Fundraising Events

Fundraising events are an important way to engage members of your community to raise money for Adopt-A-Minefield. They are also helpful in spreading the word about your campaign throughout your community.

• Night of a Thousand Dinners: Participate in Adopt-A-Minefield's global fundraising event, Night of a Thousand Dinners, hosting a dinner in your home, church, community center or local restaurant to raise funds for AAM. To learn more, visit www.1000dinners.com.
• Benefit Dinner or Luncheon: Organize a formal fundraising dinner or luncheon around a guest of honor or special speaker. Ask people to contribute to your Adopt-A-Minefield campaign by purchasing tickets or tables for the event.
• Landmine Awareness Day: Organize a day-long event at a local school or park promoting the cause of landmines. Invite guest speakers and organize special children’s activities. Make Adopt-A-Minefield part of a larger community event during national holidays.
• Benefit Concert: Ask a local entertainer to donate a concert or performance for the benefit of Adopt-A-Minefield and apply all ticket sales to your campaign.
• Speaker Series: Organize a series of community meetings with landmine experts and request contributions to your campaign.
• Sponsored Run or Dance-a-Thon: Organize a run or dance-a-thon where friends and family pay $5 for every mile run or every hour danced.
• Sports Events: Arrange for a local sports team to play a game in support of the landmine cause and to donate a percentage of that day’s receipts to your Adopt-A-Minefield campaign.
• Golf or Tennis Tournament: Organize a golf or tennis tournament and apply the entrance fees to Adopt-A-Minefield.
• Donate-an-Hour: Ask members of your community to donate the equivalent of an hour’s salary to your Adopt-A-Minefield campaign. This is a unique way of demonstrating how a small contribution can make a big difference.
• Benefit Movie: Show a movie at a school or community center for the benefit of your campaign.
• Community Picnic: Invite your community to a picnic or potluck event and ask for contributions for your Adopt-A-Minefield campaign.
• Talent Show: Organize a school or club talent show to raise funds for Adopt-A-Minefield.
• Bake Sales: Organize bake sales at your local school, religious organization, or civic club.

Adopt-A-Minefield Speakers Bureau
The Adopt-A-Minefield Campaign maintains a Speakers Bureau to help sponsoring groups identify speakers for Adopt-A-Minefield^® meetings and other local campaign events. For assistance, please phone (212) 907-1305, fax (212) 682-9185, or e-mail info@landmines.org. Please notify us of your event at least three to four weeks in advance. This will allow us time to respond.