Funds can be raised by:
- selling things.
- applying for grants.
- increasing the number of members.
- obtaining sponsorships.
- holding events.
- performing services.
Specifics for some of these:
Selling things
- Cafepress.com is a source for goods that logos can be applied to.
- Calendars:
- MEC has put out calendars for cyclists; useful as an example.
- “Nude calendars” (e.g. firefighter; see Wikipedia article for other examples) are popular, especially if they use celebrities as models (e.g. David Suzuki, Scott Bryson); nudity aligns with the relative lack of protection that cyclists have on the road (symbolic, metaphoric).
- Could display names of sponsors.
- Could incorporate Cyclist Union messaging.
- Pictures could incorporate product placement.
- Bike-related goods, co-branded goods; start small with things like reflective stickers, bells, then build on successes by scaling up, e.g. helmet covers, locks.
Applying for grants
- Good for getting things off the ground; not as good for supporting ongoing operations.
Holding events
- Bike tours of neighbourhoods of the city.
Performing services
- Currently Cyclist Union does lock removals, bike valet parking (hire for events); what are some other ideas?
Additional notes
- It’s crucial to put together a team that will see the idea through.
- It’s good to align the fundraising effort with a/the goal of the organization.
- People want to know where their money is going; be explicit.
- Show fundraising progress (e.g. those “thermometers” that get filled in to show how much has been raised).
- It’s easier to give money to an organization that is well-known and understood.
- Think of longer-term campaigns rather than one-off events.
- If possible, start small and scale up.
- Good to look at successful models of fundraising (perhaps also failures, for lessons learned).
- Aligning with groups who have compatible interests to yours can be useful.