STUDENT CLUB/CLASS
FUNDRAISING
University Student Affairs and
University Advancement
Agenda
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Fundraising Ideas
Use of Tax ID#’s
Fundraising Strategies
Steps for Approaching Businesses
Steps for Approaching Corporations
Tips for Creating Effective Emails
Email Examples
Fundraising Ideas - Events
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Sporting Event Competition
Trivia Face-Off
Help Students Move In/Out
Casino or Movie Nights
Cook Off/Bake Off/BBQ
Food Sales
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spice it up with an all you can
eat potato bar
Bake Sale
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spice it up by connecting it to
a holiday
deliver purchases
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50/50 Raffle
Bachelor/Bachelorette/Butler
Auction
Cake Walk
Guitar Hero/Wii Competition
Bid for Your Dinner
Board Game Tournament
Break The Balloon
Christmas Tree Ornament Sale
Dog Wash
Drive-In Movie
www.fundraiserinsight.org/ideas
www.fundraising-ideas.org/DIY
www.fundraiserhelp.com/fundraiser-ideas.htm
Fundraising Ideas - Merchandise
Use of a Tax ID#’s
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Tax ID from WesternU
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Not Eligible for Use of WesternU’s Tax ID
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Professional Guest Speaker Events (Not food for attendees)
Health Screening/Immunization Type Events
Third party benefiting/supporting
Class/Club Banquets/Fun Trips
Non Health-Related Community Service Events
Professional Conference Travel Expenses
Tax ID from External Organization
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When raising money for an external organization you
should request use of their tax ID number. Do not deposit
these funds into class/club accounts!
Requesting Your Own Tax ID#
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Tax ID for a WesternU Club
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Highly NOT recommended
Requires your personal SS# and $2000
Holds you personally accountable for filing of tax returns
and other government documents.
Tax ID number not enough to receive donations
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After apply, you may incur significant cost to qualify your club as
a “tax exempt organization” in order to legally receive taxdeductible donations.
No association with WesternU in name/address etc.
Fundraising Strategies
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Start fundraising on-campus first
Consider contacting the Student Government Association
and Alumni Affairs for assistance
Ask club members for support
Approach local restaurants and small businesses
Approach corporations with the Office of Annual Giving’s
permission
Give reasons why companies should give
Be specific in your donation request
 Example: Donation of 200 cupcakes for bake sale
Fundraising Strategies
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Offer business visibility
 Signage
 Business name on flyers
 Name recognition the day of the event
Request that the donation be given from the marketing
budget
Follow up!!
Build relationships
 Business might be more willing to give again next time
Thank the business for their donation
 Letter of acknowledgement from club president,
faculty member or club advisor
`
Steps For Approaching Corporations
Review WesternU Student Fundraising Checklist
Email Austin at abraunwalder@westernu.edu with details of
your effort including a list of organizations that you plan to
solicit
Once your list has been approved and use of Tax ID# has been
determined, approach corporations & receive donations
If approved to use WesternU Tax ID#:
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Deposit monetary donations and Donation Acknowledgment Form
to the Office of University Student Affairs (or give to COMPNorthwest Student Affairs)
University Advancement will send a gift receipt/thank you
directly to the donor(s)
If not approved to use WesternU Tax ID#:
5)
6)
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Make deposit at Bursar’s Office
Club/Class should send a thank you card to donor(s)
Steps For Approaching Businesses
Review WesternU Fundraising Checklist
Create your solicitation letter/e-mail/postcard/phone script
and email to;
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2)
StudentAffairs@westernu.edu (Pomona)
StudentAffairs-OR@westernu.edu (Lebanon)
Sample ask letter available on Forms Page
If unsure about whether or not you will be eligible to use the
WesternU Tax ID#, e-mail Austin Braunwalder
Approach businesses & receive donations
If approved to use WesternU Tax ID#:
1)
2)
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If not approved to use WesternU Tax ID#:
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5)
Send Donation Acknowledgement Form and check to
University Student Affairs
Make deposit at Bursar’s Office
Send a thank you letter to your donor (include the amount
given and how the funds will be used).
Tips for Creating Effective Emails
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Subject line
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Tell them exactly what to expect
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Make them want to open email
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50 characters or less
(including spaces)
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No attachments
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What’s in it for them?
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Include a “call to action”
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Include how/when/where to
buy tickets
Include contact information
Provide a sense of urgency
(deadline, limited tickets etc.)
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Make the message scannable
Over packing your ad =
overwhelming your reader
Use active voice, avoid
acronyms & use appropriate
logo/name
Use font size/color/type to
emphasize key information
Two emails/event to
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Class Accounts
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Pomona Faculty: WUFSP@
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Pomona Student: WUSP@
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Lebanon Faculty: WUFSL@
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Lebanon Student: DO2015 –
Lebanon & DO2016-Lebanon
Email Examples
What do you LIKE?
What would you CHANGE?
Questions?