Featured Fundraiser: Life Saving Surgery for Denis

“In almost all instances, Apert syndrome results from new genetic changes (mutations) that appear to occur randomly for unknown reasons (sporadically). In rare cases, the disorder may be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.”

Denis was born in a small town near Penza, Russia. At birth, it was immediately apparent Denis had an inborn condition, but due to a lack of knowledge and readily available information about advanced medical care and the lack of specialists in local hospitals, he was not diagnosed until nearly a year later (November 2011). Denis was diagnosed with Apert syndrome.

If properly treated by surgery and supportive therapy, Denis has a great chance to grow up as a healthy child and lead a normal life. In America, six out of seven children with the same syndrome lead a normal life and in over 50% of cases, the children have regular IQ levels. Adding hope to the situation, Elena, Denis’ mother, was told that he has no delays in brain development and his brain functions appropriately for his age.

However, in this race against time and Denis’ physical maturation, the skull bones are rapidly fusing and constricting the growth of his brain. A side effect the syndrome Denis is experiencing is sleep apnea. When the doctors told Elena there was nothing they could do to help Denis with his breathing during sleep, she would not accept their answer and designed a breathing tube for Denis to use while he sleeps to ensure he does not suffocate during the night. She spends the vast majority of her night by his bedside, checking on his condition.

Denis was scheduled to receive facial distractor surgery in Moscow, a procedure only a few children have survived over years it has been performed. Elena had lost all hope and the loss of her youngest child seemed imminent.

But, in a stroke of serendipity, a group of volunteers took an interest in Denis’ situation and searched for a safer alternative to the surgery. In their search, they came across the Ian Jackson Craniofacial & Cleft Palate Clinic at the Beaumont Hospital in Michigan. The state of the art hospital has specialists with years of experience and a proven history of life-saving successful surgeries.

Aside from all the troubles he is battling through, Denis has developed as any other child his name would. He has learned to walk and say “Mama.” He likes his toy cars and flips thorough books with curiosity and excitement.

To learn more about how you can help Denis and his fight against Apert syndrome, please visit: Online fundraising for Denis

Featured Fundraiser: Community Food and Outreach

Community Food and Outreach is a non-profit organization based in Central Florida that is motivated by faith, compassion, and a desire to serve their community. They work to help break the cycle of poverty, to provide hope to people struggling with hunger. Community Food and Outreach offers hunger relief, crisis care, transformative education, and employment training opportunities.

Fundraise.com spoke with Justin from Community Food and Outreach over email to find out more about how they got started and what keeps them going.

How did Community Food and Outreach get its start?

The organization was founded in the fall of 2009 by Scott George and Austin Hunt. Previously, it was known as the Destiny Foundation until a decision was made to expand cost-share grocery and thrift efforts to include a crisis care in an effort to reach more people in need due to the effects of The Great Recession.

What motivates you in your fundraising efforts?

Our mission, which is “to provide a hand up for those in need, helping them to break free from poverty by offering hunger relief, crisis care, transformative education, and employment training opportunities” acts as our key motivation when approaching current and potential donors.

What is your favorite part of working with Community Food and Outreach?

My favorite part is seeing the results on a daily basis of our efforts in the lives of those who are currently struggling to stay afloat.

Who benefits from your fundraising efforts?

Mostly, its the working poor which make up 49% of the labor force in central Florida as well as the 16% of the labor force that are currently disabled and unable to work. Furthermore, we try to reach children who currently live in poverty, which make up 27% of the population in the Orlando Metro area.

What advice do you have for aspiring fundraisers?

Believe in the mission of the organization. Without that belief, your work is in vain.

Do you have any additional notes or stories about your cause you would like to share?

Through our efforts, 1800 families per week receive food and crisis care on our campus. While we do have an emergency food pantry, we require clients to take a crisis care class which focuses on life skills before they receive a second free bag of food and/or clothes.

To donate to this cause please visit: Online Community Food and Outreach Fundraising

Featured Fundraiser - Mass Soldiers Legacy Fund

Massachusetts Soldiers Legacy Fund (MSLF) is a charitable trust established in memory of Massachusetts fallen Servicemen and Women of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. The children of these fallen service members were in mind when the fund was established, trying to alleviate any financial burdens in the way of completing all levels of education.

Fundraise.com spoke with Ryan from MSLF over email to find out more about how they got started and what keeps them going.

1. How did The Massachusetts Soldiers Legacy Fund get its start?

The MSLF was founded in 2004 with a simple goal: to provide educational assistance grants to the children of Massachusetts Servicemembers who were killed while deployed on Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. Peter Trovato founded the Fund while he was a student at UMass Amherst. He decided to found it after hearing about a fallen servicemember and the children that servicemember left behind. Pete wanted to give back to them, and so he began collecting donations at UMass Hockey games. Pete was on the team at the time, and decided to lead this as a community outreach program. It grew and grew into what it is today with $4 Million raised.

2. What motivates you in your fundraising efforts?

Our kids. We have 75 children we are going to fund. This number has increased every single year, and likely will keep increasing until all troops are removed from Afghanistan. We’ve been able to already see a number of them off to school. Nothing is better than seeing them get to college and do well in school. It motivates us and our entire donor base.

3. What is your favorite part of working with MSLF?

We work with some really terrific students and some awesome families. My favorite part about working with the MSLF is hearing stories about these kids’ successes and cool things they are doing in their lives. I love hearing about the sports they are involved with, the bands they are in, the good grades they are getting, and the schools they are deciding on going to for college. We also have an unbelievable Board of Trustees. I think we have one of the best Boards in the city of Boston. We have some really successful military veterans. We have some really successful business people. We have a lot of fun working together.

4. Who benefits from your fundraising efforts?

With its current resources, the MSLF guarantees a minimum of $40,000 ($10,000 per annum) in educational funding to each child of a fallen Servicemember whose “home of record” at the Department of Defense was Massachusetts. There is no selection process. If an individual is a child of a Servicemember whose service is credited to Massachusetts and whom gave his/her life in Operation Enduring or Iraqi Freedom, that child qualifies for MSLF funds. We have 75 children on our list currently. When Peter Trovato first founded the fund in 2004 there were only 19 children on our list. The list keeps growing.

5. What advice do you have for aspiring fundraisers?

Before raising a single penny, you should put together an unbelievable board of trustees / advisors / mentors. They will speed up the development of the Fund as well as the development as you as a leader of the Fund. Pete realized early on that to make a strong Fund, he would need strong people. And so he assembled a kick-ass Board of Trustees. Start with kick ass people who are passionate about the cause.

Secondly, be really focused in your mission. We wanted to provide financial assistance to children whose parents “home of record” was Massachusetts. We set up strict criteria and then were able to raise money around that cause. It allowed us to focus our fundraising efforts on specific geographic regions, as well as specific donor bases.

6. What goals are you trying to reach by fundraising?

We’re trying to make sure that when people think about giving back to children of Massachusetts Servicemembers, they think of us. That is our goal. Our other goal is to raise more money to help with the rising cost of college education. The price is only increasing each decade, and we plan to keep raising to offset these increases.

To donate to this cause please visit: MSLF Online Fundraising

Check out the MSLF website at www.mslfund.org for more information on the fund!

Featured Fundraiser: Wake Up Narcolepsy

Wake Up Narcolepsy is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting narcolepsy awareness and research towards accelerating a cure. They provide funding towards accelerating a cure, increase awareness of narcolepsy, decrease time-lapse from symptom onset to proper diagnosis, and provide supportive resources for people with narcolepsy and their families.

Fundraise.com spoke with Monica from Wake Up Narcolepsy over email to hear the personal story that motivates them and how they gained a national presence after only three years.

How did Wake Up Narcolepsy get its start?

Wake Up Narcolepsy (WUN) got its start six months after our pre-teen son was diagnosed with narcolepsy. My husband and I are co-founders. Throughout the three months it took to get a proper diagnosis of narcolepsy for my son, we learned that narcolepsy is a very misunderstand, severely under-recognized and mis-diagnosed medical disorder. On average, it takes eight years to diagnose narcolepsy — we knew we needed to do something to help improve the lives of people with narcolepsy.

Who benefits from your fundraising efforts?

Ultimately, people with narcolepsy benefit from WUN’s fundraising efforts. Also, everyone we come in contact with including medical professionals are learning about narcolepsy, and, hopefully, getting people diagnosed within the first six months of showing symptoms of narcolepsy. Also, hopefully WUN’s efforts will spark more interest in the pharmaceutical industry for better treatment of narcolepsy.

What goals are you trying to reach by fundraising?

Fundraising will help Wake Up Narcolepsy to financially accelerate cutting edge scientific research of narcolepsy. We support narcolepsy research at narcolepsy research facilities such as Stanford Medical Center and Harvard Medical School.

What advice do you have for aspiring fundraisers?

For aspiring fundraisers, I would say if you have an idea that you think would work as a fundraiser, just do it. Don’t be afraid to ask for support; people will amaze you with their generosity and willingness to help/support your cause.

Do you have any additional notes or stories about your cause you would like to share?

Wake Up Narcolepsy was founded just a little over three years ago in Massachusetts and we now have a national presence with events in Washington D.C. and Nashville, TN. We are gaining momentum and hope to continue adding events throughout the country to raise narcolepsy awareness and support research.

To donate to this cause please visit: Online Narcolepsy Fundraising

How to Plan a Fundraising Banquet

As many of us know, the most common expenses facing nonprofit agencies are in program costs and the amount spent on fundraising and development for the organization. However, effective fundraising keeps administrative costs in check and takes best advantage of donations to collect the largest percentage of profits possible from the event.

A fundraising dinner also offers a chance to make personal contact with donors and establish a one-on-one relationship that may lead to future donations.

Schedule a Date: Research other organizations in your area to avoid crossover event dates and calendar conflicts. Next, contact locations you feel may be a good fit and schedule a walk-thru to see the space. Look to book the location as far in advance of the dinner as possible - many prime locations fill quickly, as do busy people’s schedules. Discuss the date and location options with your organization to explore pros and cons.

Select a Location and a Theme: After researching and visiting available banquet facilities, select a location that matches with your target demographic. Close attention to matching the venue with the theme can also add to the event.

Secure Food & Beverage: Solicit food and drink donations for the event from local restaurants, caterers, and food vendors. Aim to accept donations that match the theme and the event to make a coordinated menu. If some donations don’t match with the theme, such as popcorn for a formal banquet, don’t alienate the donor, but use the donated food for a later event or for another fundraiser planned for a different date.

Solicit Auction or Raffle Items: Auctions and raffles are a great way to raise additional funds at an event. By securing the items to be raffled and auctioned in the form of in-kind donations, all profits from the endeavors will go directly towards your cause.

Assign Tasks to Volunteers: Utilizing volunteer services can equal additional savings on staffing but require organization and management. Prior to the event, volunteers can sell tickets, promote the event through email and social media and assist in soliciting donations. During the event volunteers work can help to serve the food and welcome guests.

Good luck and let us know if there’s anything we can do to help.

Successful Fundraising Essentials

It’s 2012 - a new year with new goals and new fundraising efforts on the horizon. Yet as you move onto bigger, better, and larger levels of achievement, don’t forget the tried & true basics of fundraising success.

Tell Your Story:

Offer people an understanding of why you’re doing what you’re doing, and give them a reason to give.

Why are you fundraising?
Why is the cause important to you?
What impact will each donation have? (Ex - $25 buys a new backpack with school supplies for a child).

Set a Fundraising Goal:

Donors want to see fundraising success; and they want to participate in that success. Some people will even donate again if they see the goal number is within reach.

Set a fundraising goal on your Fundraise.com page
Raise your goal once you reach it and be sure to let everyone know you did (it’s a great way to thank people who have helped and motivate people who haven’t yet had a chance to participate in the success)

Add Imagery:

Add photos that speak to your potential donors – images that create a personal connection and are aimed to affect people emotionally.
Embed a video directly onto your Fundraise.com page.

Embed a Widget/Send a Link:

Embed a personalized donation form directly onto your Facebook page to accept donations from friends.
Put your goal bar or your donation form onto existing blogs and websites.

Spread the Word:

Share your Fundraise.com page with family, friends, colleagues, or anyone you may have vested interest in yourself or your cause.
Email contacts directly through Fundraise.com or use your email client of choice and include your customized fundraising link.

Keep Sharing: It’s important tosend updates on your fundraising progress. Communicating both challenges and milestones makes donors feel they’re a part of your fundraising efforts.

Post daily updates to Facebook
Try to tweet at least a few times a day
Re-email everyone who has not yet donated right before your event as a reminder or directly after your fundraiser has ended.

Be Persistent:

Don’t forget to ask people to donate
Don’t get discouraged – not everyone is going to say “yes,” but if enough people say “yes” for you to reach your goal, your fundraiser was still a success.

Say “Thanks”: Never underestimate the power of two monosyllabic words - “thank you.” Looking for some suggestions on how to thank donors better? Check out this post.

Highlighted Cause: Sterling Minsky, Baby Boy Fighting Cancer

Sterling Minsky is an amazing little boy. At the age of 7 months old, he was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma. In August, he received clear scans after 6 mos of chemo under the supervision of an awesome team at Sloan Kettering in New York.

Unfortunately he was so young, they were not able to treat him with radiation and now there is a recurrence of the tumor. Sterling will be undergoing a more aggressive treatment plan starting in January 2012, which will include chemo and radiation.

Friends of Sterling’s family have dedicated themselves to doing whatever it takes to cure their baby boy and this fund will help them make that a reality. The fund’s main purpose is to defray their medical bills and to assist them with costs of traveling to and from New York for treatment.

Any amount you chose to give is greatly appreciated; every little bit helps! To donate to Sterling’s fund please visit his page at: www.fundraise.com/sterling-minksy-fund

Get Auction Items Donated:

Silent Auctions aren’t always the most fun to plan – they take time, seem to require extensive resources, and can be intimidating at the get-go. However, if done right they have the potential to add thousands of dollars to the revenue of your fundraising event.

To start the silent auction process, identify retailers and businesses from which you’d like donations. Your event might have a specific theme making certain donations more appropriate than others. For example, if the theme of your event is athletic, you might want sports memorabilia or game tickets donated. But even if you have a theme, it’s nice to have some variety in your auction item selection because different people like different things.

Gift certificates to local spas, hair salons, or athletic facilities are usually a hit, as are hotel rooms, luxury or niche activity passes – golfing, rock climbing, sailing - or personalized experiences such as in-home dinners with accomplished chefs or local celebrities. Wine, art, and event tickets are also appropriate at auctions. Think about what’s popular in your area to see, eat, drink, or do and work from there.

Next draft a letter or personalized email addressed to the correct personnel at each specific business or organization. This correspondence should include a brief but detailed description of your cause, the goals of your fundraiser, the “when, what, and where” of your fundraising event, and what you would like donated. Be sure to close the letter with gratitude; often times a little “thank you” goes a long way.

If possible, have a representative from your organization take the letters to the businesses. This is a good task for volunteers and adds a personal touch to your request. To save time in person, find out in advance the name of the individual best suited to accept such requests and try to find out when they will be available. Also try to pick “down times” that won’t interrupt busy schedules or business productivity to make your visit.

You may get a donation on the spot, or they may ask you to return for the donation. Don’t get discouraged if they’re busy or deny the donation request, you won’t get one from every business you solicit.

Hold a Fundraising Cocktail Party:

When deciding which type of fundraising event to hold, consider hosting a cocktail party. Cocktail parties are fashionable and fun, and most guests genuinely enjoy a well executed party-for-a-purpose.

A successful fundraising cocktail party depends on an engaging blend of drinks, food and atmosphere. But with a little creativity and some advanced planning, your event could be the talk of the town and in the running for party of the year.

Start by searching for a low-cost or no-cost venue in which to hold your cocktail party. Be mindful of convenience for your guests and choose a local establishment – restaurants, bars, social halls or even someone’s home or backyard are good spots to consider.

Next, estimate your costs and decide on an amount to charge guests for attending the cocktail party event. Generally, ticket prices can be anywhere from $25 to $250 per person, depending what’s considered economical to your guests, and are intended to cover your expenses and create a donation for your cause.

Choose a theme for your cocktail party. Seasonal themes based on holidays such as Halloween, Christmas, or Mardi Gras always work. A garden party, luau, or barbeque are good Summer choices. Hollywood blockbusters, favorite pieces of literature or decades past are also great sources of inspiration… Get creative and have fun with it!

Style your cocktail party Fundraise.com page and invitations to reflect your theme. Remember to include the name of the host(s), information about the organization or cause the party is benefiting, as well as the name of the event, location, date, time, RSVP requirements, cost of attendance and additional instructions such as special dress code.

Decide what type of cocktails you will serve; limiting the choices to two or four will make things easier for guests and bartenders. If you have the ability, creating a signature cocktail for the party is also a fun idea. Estimate two drinks per hour for each guest and remember to provide sodas, water, and coffee for those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages.

Strive for aesthetic appeal and variety in the arrangement of your food offerings. Depending on your budget and theme, you may choose comestibles that speak of elegance, like caviar, crab cakes and truffles, or trays of simple nibbles and finger foods such as a fruit & cheese platters, chips & dip, nuts and cold cuts. Plan to offer enough for each guest to eat six bites per hour.

Decorate your cocktail party venue in keeping with your theme. Candles provide a suitable backdrop for relaxing and mingling, while colorful dinnerware, chair covers, tablecloths and centerpieces set a festive tone.

Good luck and let us know if there’s anything we can do to help!

Highlight Cause: VIP Tickets on Sale for Hot Stove, Cool Music

Theo Epstein returns home to join legendary baseball journalist Peter Gammons and an all-star musical line-up for the 13th annual Hot Stove Cool Music charity concert presented by Ipswitch, on Saturday, January 14th at the Paradise Rock Club.

The Foundation To Be Named Later fundraiser features performances by Grammy award-nominated blues musician Susan Tedeschi, Grammy award-winning guitarist and former Allman Brothers Band member Derek Trucks, legendary Boston rockers The Remains, and the Hot Stove All-Stars featuring Peter Gammons, Buffalo Tom’s Bill Janovitz, Indi Rocker Kay Hanley and more. Actor Mike O’Malley will take the reins as emcee.

All proceeds will benefit Foundation To Be Named Later’s Gammons College Scholarship and their non profit partners.

Ticket are now on sale for the exclusive VIP party from 5:30pm to 8:00pm.

Meet and greet with the stars, enjoy fabulous food from Boston area restaurants including Tremont 647 and Red Lantern, Drink Complimentary Harpoon Beer and Round Hill Wine and have fun bidding on great items in their silent auction.

All proceeds benefit Foundation To Be Named Later and its extraordinary non profits working on the front lines serving disadvantaged children and families and are available here: www.fundraise.com/hotstove