Summary
AMJUS wishes to create more visibility of their work in the local society, because they need new donors and volunteers and want more people participating in the activities promoted by the Association. They decide to try and involve local small businessmen and women, mainly shop and hostel keepers. They prepare a presentation of their work and the projects they wish to raise funds/recrute volunteers for and visit 20 shopkeepers in person. 19 out of 20 (a very high percentage!) decide to contribute financially, some on a yearly basis. One of the hostel keepers offers his hostel as a venue for an afternoon tea with local businessmen and women. During the event AMJUS once more presents its activities, resulting in yet more donations and several new volunteers.
Tips and lessons learned
AMJUS feels the greatest challenge was to convince themselves that local fundraising was a hard, but not impossible task. Encouraging people to start was key in this process. Once one starts to obtain results from ones fundraising efforts, everything gets easier.
The most important learning was that when people have access to information on the cause you defend and are convinced of the seriousness and relevance of what is being done, they are touched by it and willing to become involved. After getting to know about the project, various people were interested in volunteering. Also some local businessmen decided to support AMJUS on a yearly basis after getting the information on the work done and the results attained.
Review by Wilde Ganzen Foundation
This is a good example of how an NGO starts with local fundraising activities, initially on a small scale. Key to their success is the personal presentation of the Association and the project they are raising funds for. Almost all the carefully chosen businessmen and women they approach are willing to become involved, either financially or by volunteering. The afternoon tea has become an annual event, with a significant increase in the number of people participating over the years.
Details
Objectives
Raising funds to promote strategic action of promotion of children's and adolescents rights; to strenghten youth groups in São Miguel do Gostoso (state of Rio Grande do Norte)
Targeted donors
Local business people, mainly shopkeepers and hostel owners
Results
| Cost/benefit |
National currency (R§ |
Euro |
| Total amount raised |
0 |
1,177 |
| (-) Total amount invested |
0 |
0 |
| Net amount raised |
0 |
1,177 |
Accounting details
Income:
Guests at afternoon tea 854
19 shopkeepers 322,50
Description of preparatory work
Door-to-door action: one preparatory meeting to list the shops, hostels and other potential donors.
Afternoon tea: first step was to get support to promote the event. A presentation of the Association was made to the owner of a pousada (hostel), who was impressed by the work and agreed to offer free venue, refeshments and staff for the event.
Then, invitations were printed and the group started to mobilise potential participants.
Description of implementation
Door-to-door action: This took 5 weeks, 20 small businesses in the urban area of the city were visited; 19 made donations (variable amounts). Every visit included a presentation of the Association and the project. People were also informed that CESE would double the donations they made. Leaflets and invitations for the afternoon tea containing general information and the Association´s website were distributed.
Afternoon tea: A presentation about the Association was made during the event. First, a brief description of the Association's work and the specific project was made. Then, people were made to feel that they could help by making a donation.
Plans to repeat the action
The afternoon tea has become an annual event.
