Unique Ways to Fundraise for Your Nonprofit

Any leader of a nonprofit organization will tell you that receiving adequate funding for their organization can be somewhat of a challenge. Although charitable nonprofits usually rely on the generosity of donors to support their annual efforts, fundraising initiatives are sometimes necessary to assist with supporting the financial needs of the organization. We’ve provided some fundraising techniques that your organization can utilize for years to come!

FUNDRAISING TECHNIQUES

Collaborate with other Organizations

Reach out to other organizations in your area to host events and support each other’s endeavors.

Supporting each other can assist with finances by cutting the cost in half as well as unique ideas, planning, and execution and follow through.

Have Fun Activities Become Fundraisers

Find out what your community enjoys doing during their free time and turn it into an enjoyable fundraiser. People don’t mind giving or setting aside a few dollars to do what they enjoy.  Let’s take a Talent Show/Competition for example -- the cost of hosting a local talent show can be very inexpensive and if you have a few members of your organization that like to bake, you could sell light refreshments during the intermission of the event to make an extra few dollars. Other events such as a cook-off, charity tournament, scholarship banquet, or even the latest current trend, an escape room puzzle event.

Be Involved in Your Community

Giving back to your community is always beneficial in more ways than one. It pays to educate the community about what your organization does. By making donors aware of your community service initiatives, many will feel comfortable supporting your various endeavors and fundraising efforts. People tend to not give to groups that they know nothing about. The more exposure your organization receives, the better.

Crowdfunding

This is considered to be peer-to-peer fundraising by way of members asking their friends, family members, and coworkers for donations prior to an event and then having them participate in the event.

This type of fundraising is ideal for a marathon, walkathon, pageant, etc., and is a great way to directly involve donors.

FUNDRAISERS

When conducting planning for your organization annually, it can be a challenge to find different ways to raise money. Here are some various fundraising ideas that can be done:

FUNDRAISERS	FUNDRAISING EVENTS
50/50 Raffle or Basket Raffle Bingo	Silent Auction
Sip and Paint	Talent Show / Lip Sync Competition
Recipe Books	Battle of the Bands
T-Shirt Sales	Comedy Night / Karaoke Night
Polar Plunge	Gala
Engraved Bricks	Marathon / Walkathon
Wrapping Paper Sale (Holiday Seasons)	Rainbow Tea
Car Wash	Classic Car Show
Baby Photo Contest	Cooking Class
Penny Drive	Trivia Night
Appreciation Grams	Dinner Theatre
Pie Throwing Contest or Dunk Tank	Date Auction

For more neat fundraising ideas, click here.

Be sure to save those receipts when planning a fundraising event and know that ExpressTaxExempt is always here to be a consistent resource to you and your organization for all things tax exempt! Visit our website for any tax forms that your tax-exempt organization may need throughout this year and save even more when you e-file with our recently reduced filing rates! We’re available to assist you via phone at 704.839.2321 on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST or reach out to us 24/7 via email at support@ExpressTaxExempt.com.

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New Leadership? No Problem: Organizational Leadership Transition Tips

As we ease into the month of July, some organizations are embracing [or planning to elect] new leadership to continue carrying out the work of their group. Good leaders strive to leave their organization in good standing and provide future leaders with ample information to ensure a smooth transition. While some organizations in this predicament may have a transition method in place to train new leaders, there are others that may need or want to implement some useful strategies to ensure the core leadership of their group remains solid.

Major things such as annual tax filing due dates, record keeping, or maintaining tax-exempt status cannot afford to “fall by the wayside” during each transition of leadership.

At ExpressTaxExempt, we realize that your mission is to help others, so now, let us help you! Here are some leadership transition tips that could be beneficial to your organization:

TRANSITION CHECKLIST

Get Organized - Prior to new leaders beginning their term, try your best to make sure things are organized so that leaders can focus on their duties without having to go against any unnecessary roadblocks.

Leadership Transition Binder - A great tool and gift to incoming leaders is to provide them with a binder that has all of the documents they need to be successful in their new leadership role. They will reference these items throughout their tenure, so make sure they are detailed and organized.

• *Each binder should have general “must-haves” like the organization’s bylaws, calendar of events, etc., as well as specific documents that would be helpful to the individual and their position. For example, the organization’s treasurer or director of finance should receive information like previous financial records, state tax forms/info, tax filing information (EIN/Tax ID#, bank account information, pending significant financial transactions, fundraising information) and more.

-Discuss Organization’s Policies & Procedures

-Set realistic goals and objectives for the year
-Go over each leader’s duties in detail. Explain what they are and are not responsible for.  
-Inform New Leaders of Key External Relationships

• *For leadership roles that require working relationships with other leaders outside of the organization, a Contact Sheet should be provided with contact information (name, title, email address, phone number) for each individual. 

With these useful tools and tips, your leadership team should be on the road to success as they continue to carry out the great work that your organization does from day to day. Be sure to keep your tax-exempt status by annually filing with ExpressTaxExempt. Unsure of your filing deadline? We have a Fiscal Tax Year Filing Calendar available for you to take advantage of. Enjoy your summer and feel free to comment with any other leadership transition tips and we’ll add them in!

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Nonprofit Showcase (Children’s Attention Home)

It’s 1969, a desperate time in history when abused, neglected, and homeless children had no options other than foster care. These homes were limited, and soon these victimized children were placed in jail cells because of no appropriate emergency shelters. Even still, there wasn’t enough to provide for the impoverished children.

- Rock Hill, South Carolina. 1970 -
In a calm neighborhood near Winthrop University, a house was rented, renovated, and opened its doors to devoid children as a haven of support and shelter. Because of the diligent efforts of the Rock Hill Ministerial Association and countless volunteers, donations of clothes, toys, and essentials were greatly generated for the children in need. The Children’s Attention Home became a beacon of “a strong commitment to community service and a genuine spirit of unity and mutual interest in the welfare of the children.”

Today, the Children’s Attention Home has kept its doors open to over 7,500 children. The objective of this nonprofit organization is to temporarily provide a care shelter, which children - up to age 21 - can experience a family life of love and security until either their previous home is corrected, or a better, permanent home is found.

The Children’s Attention Home has accomplished its objective for the last 45 years along with its mission to give children a stable home setting, opportunities for success, and tools to form their own futures and better the world for others as well as themselves.

Three cottages, licensed by the South Carolina Department of Social Services, make up the main campus of the Children’s Attention Home, which can house up to 42 children at a time. Children stay at the Home for an average of three to six months, though there have been circumstances when children are advised to stay longer. While living at the Home, children are taught basic living skills, job skills, and take part in other physical, educational, and recreational activities.

With the support from local donors and volunteers, the Children’s Attention Home continues to serve victimized children from all counties of South Carolina. And with that, we are proud to present Children’s Attention Home as our nonprofit showcase for the month - Thank You.

More information about Children’s Attention Home can be found through the organization’s website including how you can become involved, and emergency crisis contacts.

There’s no doubt how bountiful the generosity and assistance of nonprofits and charities are. The last thing needed is to have your work limited by paperwork or tax filings. E-filing with ExpressTaxExempt is made quick and easy so you can fulfill your obligations to the IRS and get back to what matters most within your exempt organization. Our services offer support for the 990 filing series, extension Form 8868, and soon Form 1023, which you can file for exemption status.

Just how nonprofits and charities help local communities, our live support team in Rock Hill, South Carolina can help you with your e-file experience. If you have any questions, or need further assistance e-filing your return, give us a call at (704) 839-2321, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. You can also reach us at any time of day with our 24/7 email support at support@expresstaxexempt.com.

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