The Fundraising Factory - Archive for the ‘Non Profit Profiles’ Category

You can dress me up but do I want to go out?

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

An annual major fundraising event can be a time when a non profit has a chance to turn attendees into donors and ambassadors for their organization.  I went to two of them last week.  Here’s what happened at one.

The first was a $150 a plate fundraising dinner.  Looking forward all week long to a great evening and a good meal I went shopping for a new dress.

Here’s the shakedown.  The evening  started with a cocktail hour and then a sit down meal.  I chose vegetarian.  It was average at best.  The keynote speaker presented during the meal.  Since I am a speaker at events like this I watched closely and in my book this is a BIG no no.  This causes people in the audience who are trying to eat to have to turn around in their chairs to see the speaker.  It’s uncomfortable for the guests AND it’s rude to the speaker to be honest.  Then, sadly the executive director missed the opportunity to speak passionately and with authenticity about the non profit.  Instead she told us she had adjusted well in her new position as it was her first full year on the job.  Ho hum

The icing on the cake?… and no pun intended here but get this…finally the tiny cupcake wrapped in cellophane that had been sitting on the table in front of me all evening to my astonishment was dessert!   It was donated by a discount wholesale food club and the E.D. thought it worthy enough to be mentioned aloud!  Good Lord who knows how long that thing had been sitting in a warehouse somewhere!

I can live with an average meal, however I would have liked to have been able to respectfully give my full attention to the speaker.  Most importantly,  I wished the ED inspired me to make an effort to become a serious donor.   Come on it was a fundraiser!  Lastly, and I am no snob but seriously  for 150 bucks I expect more than a twinkie.

You can dress me up AND you can take me out but unfortunately next year when this event comes around I’ll enjoy the best part; shopping for the new dress and just skip the rest.

 

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Posted in Fundraisers, Fundraising Events, Non Profit Profiles, Personal, Rants, Speaking Engagements | 1 Comment »

Have You Reached Your Turning Point?

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

Did you know that October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month? Designs by Lucinda is honoring that month in several ways.  First, you’ll notice that this blog is posted in purple, the symbolic color for domestic violence.  Also, we are highlighting a  great nonprofit that has been a long-time customer and powerful advocate against domestic violence–Turning Point of Lehigh Valley.


Turning Point is a place where victims of abuse and their children can find emergency shelter and support services.  Annually, the agency assists over 5,000 victims of domestic violence.  In addition to providing support to domestic violence victims, Turning Point’s mission includes working toward ending domestic violence through education and increasing community awareness.

Designs By Lucinda is proud to say that we have been able to work with this great agency since 1992 to help reach these goals.  All of Turning Point’s services are free, so in order to provide shelter and related services, the agency relies heavily on fundraising.  Designs By Lucinda pins and earrings have been a staple in these fundraising efforts.  In the last 19 years, Turning Point has utilized these custom pieces of art to raise over $100,000.  Quite a chunk of change for a product that sells for around $16 per item!

But just as important is the continued conversations and awareness that the pins spread.  In fact, when we asked Anne Mayer, our contact at Turning Point, how the pins have helped her organization, she was quick to acknowledge that the uniqueness of the pins creates intrigue and conversations.  It’s the perfect opening to share the mission of Turning Point.  Anne also noted that fundraising with the pins is easy because volunteers often handle the pin sales either through their workplaces, at various other venues, or as walking advertisements when wearing the pins.  It is a hassle-free way to spread the word about domestic violence while generating revenue to provide needed services.

As with so many nonprofits, Turning Point experiences ups and downs in donations and fundraising revenue.  We asked about the challenges that they experience, and Anne mentioned that sometimes turnover at the volunteer level or within the various businesses where they are sold, can effect pin sales.  This shows the importance of keeping in touch with the offices and salons to make sure someone is dedicated to promoting the pins and ensuring that a variety of pins are on display.

We wanted to know what has made the pins a success for Turning Point for over 19 years. Anne’s insight was to have a good selection of pins.  Whether you are a domestic violence organization or a housing organization, you should offer a variety of pins to your customers.  The traditional pins are important to have on hand, but seasonal pins are also beneficial and increase fundraising revenue.  She also follows many of our mottos that have proven to be successful:  Wear One and Carry 10 in Your Purse!  Point out the fact that each pin is unique.  People love things that are original.  Lastly, look for easy venues such as doctors’ offices and hair salons because so many women visit these places regularly.  These simple techniques have worked for Turning Point since 1992.  Designs By Lucinda looks forward to working with Turning Point for many more years.

How you can help.
The beneficiary of Fundraising Friday on October 21st is Turning Point of Lehigh Valley.  Turning Point will receive 30% of all individual sales placed on Designs By Lucinda’s website this Friday.  Please share this with everyone you know.  Let’s all do our part to help!  Together we can Change the World One Pin At A Time!  Please Share, Care & Give!


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An epidemic worth catching

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

Have you heard of the latest epidemic?  It’s infecting a large number of people over an even larger area.  Word has it that it has spread to 90 countries.  Luckily, they have identified the source; it’s called Positivity Nation™.  A Maine based non-profit, Positivity Nation™ was established just over a year ago by Lanette Pottle.  The mission of the non-profit is to create a world-wide epidemic of positivity…one small act at a time.

For Lanette, positive action takes many forms.  She shares positive thoughts on her website (http://www.positivity-nation.com) and Facebook page but she is also very active in her community.  She has a particular passion for working with youth and has taken Positivity Nation™ into her local elementary school.  In 2011, in celebration of the one year anniversary of Positivity Nation™, Lanette announced the creation of The HAPPY Grant (Helping & Acknowledging Positive, Purpose-led Youth) a funding program for youth ages 12-17 in Washington County, Maine who desire to make a difference in their communities.

To kick start The HAPPY Grant program, Lanette turned to Designs By Lucinda.  She discovered Designs By Lucinda while visiting a local business that had the pins on display.  She was quickly drawn to the beauty of the pins but more so, she was moved by the story included on the pin card.  She thought it was brilliant marketing to attach the pin to a card that shares Lucinda’s story from homelessness to successful entrepreneur, helping thousands of non-profits worldwide.  After reading the story, Lanette thought that the pins were a perfect fit for her cause – the same values and a very similar mission to make a change, one small act or pin at a time.  She placed an order for 40 Butterfly Pins to help raise money and credibility for Positivity Nation™ and specifically The HAPPY Grant program.

The HAPPY Grant was launched following a pilot classroom program where students were asked how they would use $10 to make the world a better place. With financial help from her facebook friends, she facilitated the execution of 15 student-led projects  that helped veteran homes, nursing homes, food banks, animal shelters and the Special Olympics fund for The Beckett Center , a day program in a neighboring city. (…a must read article on two passionate 8th grade boys who developed a basketball event to raise money for the Special Olympics Beckett Bombers Link).

Lanette relies not only on monies raised through pin sales to support this program, but from donations that are made to Positivity Nation™.  She receives a great deal of exposure through her website, word of mouth and her Facebook page.  In a year’s time she has over 4700 fans!  We asked Lanette if she had ever thought about what would happen to Positivity Nation™ and The HAPPY Grant if every Facebook fan purchased just 1 pin to support her program.  There was a pause on the other end of the phone and then she replied “that’s an interesting thought”.  Perhaps in the moment of hesitation, she was processing what over $75,000 would do to create Positivity….

How you can help.
The beneficiary of Fundraising Friday on June 24th is Positivity Nation™ and The HAPPY Grant.  Positivity Nation™ will receive 30% of all individual sales placed on Designs By Lucinda’s website this Friday.  Please share this with everyone you know.  Let’s all do our part to help!  Together we can Change the World One Pin At A Time!  Please Share, Care & Give!

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Posted in Fundraising, Giving, Non Profit Profiles, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Touching Lives Goes Full Circle

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011

Changing lives through education and housing…concepts that we often don’t think twice about.   We take for granted a high school education.  We can find ourselves being less than content with the place we call home.  Oftentimes it takes a tragedy like the overflowing Mississippi to remind us just how precious our home is in its current condition.  The Catherine McAuley Center (CMC) never needs to be reminded of the things that we take for granted.  It is their daily mission to offer transitional housing and learning services to those in need.  They have been helping people since 1989 and partnered with us shortly thereafter in 1993.   They have raised over $100,000 in profits from pin sales that have helped support the center’s Transitional Housing for Women and Adult Basic Education programs.  Like many of our customers, CMC loves the money that is raised from the pins, but is quick to note that the pins have greatly increased awareness of the Catherine McAuley Center which no price can be attached.

Catherine McAuley's Custom Pin

CMC’s success with Designs By Lucinda pins is the result of tapping into several outlets.  Sure, they use the good ol’ standby- wear one and carry a handful in your purse so that you are ready to sell when someone comments. But they also utilize space in their lobby for all to see upon entering the building, a website store  Catherine’s Comfortable Tea.  They maximize their staff including board members and the executive director.  CMC attends fundraising events, craft shows and farmers markets in order to target different customer bases.   We asked for advice on not only where but how to sell the pins.  They noted that it is critical to connect the pin to your organization.  If you are a shelter, house pins are a must.  Education groups should certainly have read pins in stock.  They also pointed out that it is important to brand your organization with Lucinda pins.  CMC ensures that their organizations mission/story is given to everyone that purchases a pin along with how they can be reached.  They have printed stickers that they affix to the Lucinda card, as well as print their own cards.  Another bit of advice is to switch things up.  Customers love a new look.  If you have promoted the same types of pins for a long period, the market will saturate.  They experienced first hand how a new fresh look will increase the number of pins purchased by individuals who had purchased in the past.

We ended our interview with a feel good story.  Here is what Andrea of CMC shared:  “Perhaps the most memorable pin story occurred while selling pins and gifts at a women’s conference in 2010.  A woman stopped at our table and immediately was drawn to the Fourth of July pins.  She got tears in her eyes and proceeded to tell me how one son had shipped over to Afghanistan the day before and another son and son-in-law were shipping out together the next week.  She wanted to buy a pin for each daughter-in-law and her daughter.  We talked for quite some time and we were both crying by the end of her visit.  Later in the afternoon she returned to purchase several more, one for herself and to give as gifts to others.  I’m used to touching other people with the story of the Center and Lucinda.  This time, I was the one touched.”

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It’s Easy As ABC!

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

It hump day so let’s get over the hill with a true feel good story.  The story comes from the ABC Project (Abundant Books for Children) based in Turlock, California.  The ABC Project, in conjunction with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, distributes books to children from birth to age 5.  ABC Project was organized less than 10 years ago and since that time they have provided over 30,000 books to over 3,000 children.
Now the story… Dr. Susan Neufield, the Director of the ABC Project was participating in a local farmer’s market fundraiser, selling our pins and sharing the organization’s mission.  A little girl around the age of 11 approaches Susan’s table with her Mother and says, “These books are mine!  They’re the same ones I got.”  The little girl was in the ABC Program over 6 years ago.  When the little girl saw the pins she turned to her Mom and said, “I want to buy a pin so I can help give someone books.”  The Program had left a lasting impression on such a young person.  It had taught her the power of reading and the importance of ‘paying it forward.’  Both the little girl and her Mom purchased a pin that day.
The ABC Project began using Designs By Lucinda pins in 2009 to raise money and awareness for their program.  They have ordered 320 pins including Read, Heart, and Inspirational Window pins.  The sale of just 2 pins results in the organization being able to offer books to a children for a year.  When you break it down, 320 pins provides 160 children with books for an entire year!  As with the majority of our fundraising customers, the money that is raised is only a portion of the positive impact of the pins. It’s the story behind the pins that is as important to spreading recognition of the organization.  Susan noted that she oftentimes hears people talking at the table about the program and how the pins came about.  She witnesses firsthand how individuals that have purchased a pin, become the voice of the Program.
As we typically do, we asked Susan to wrap up the interview by sharing her experiences and what have been successful methods in her fundraising undertakings.  She said she relies on the Turlock Farmer’s Market, a regular venue from August to November.  She also attends area reading council conferences.  In the spring of 2010, she also participated in the Children’s Book Tea event.  It was such a huge success that they posted a YouTube video ABC Project: Turlock Spring Tea 2010 and plan on doing it again in 2011.  A great video…check it out and pump up the volume!
If you would like to know that you are helping a child learn to read and appreciate books, place an order this Friday 5/13. Your purchase will be a go directly to the ABC project.

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One Year Later the Results are In

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

It is always prudent to research the topic you are writing about.  So I went to the Harbor House Crisis Shelter (HHCS) website http://www.harborhousecs.org/.  An impressive shelter with a very useful website.  What I found to be very relevant was the content of the website’s “needs.”  On the top of the need’s list is a powerful request for volunteers.  A perfect tie into last week’s blog (Whose valued more? Volunteers or Donors?).

The organization’s mission is to provide shelter and transitional services for homeless women and families.  Not only do they provide safe shelter, food and clothing but they dedicate much of their financial and personal resources to educating and preparing their guests to live independently.

We interviewed Rev. Barbara Certa-Werner to gain an understanding of their experience with Designs By Lucinda pins. Keep in mind, HHCS just started selling pins in 2010.  They have already purchased 660 pins including Crosses, flowers, hearts with houses and butterflies.  Barbara noted that the pins are a great additional revenue source.  She noted that the pins open the doors for them to discuss their organization’s accomplishments, goals, needs and the range of services they provide.  They are able to leave a bigger impression of the organization’s work and the customer leaves with a beautiful reminder of HHCS.

Barbara noted that although they have only been fundraising with the pins for 1 year, they are already a line item in the budget.  The revenues from the pin sales are used wherever they are needed.  Whether it is to run the shelter, purchase food, diapers or pay for case workers to ensure that all guests receive transitional assistance.  HCCS sells the pins at several different venues including the Wisconsin United Methodist Women’s Annual Conference, the Women’s Expo and craft shows.  They rely on board members to promote the pins and they highlight the pins on the front page of their website.

HCCS also taps into the pins cause- related marketing aspect.  Barbara noted that they use the pins to draw a connection between Lucinda’s story of homelessness to successful entrepreneur to the very goals of their organization.  They even use the pins to honor a guest that has achieved a considerable goal while at the shelter.

In wrapping up our interview with Barbara, we asked if she had a really good pin story.  A woman came to the booth at the Annual Conference for Wisconsin UMC, she saw the pins and was so excited about them but she didn’t have her checkbook.  She called her husband who drove 2 hours to bring her checkbook.  She ended up purchasing 18 pins as Christmas presents for her family and friends.  Truly a great story….

The Harbor House will be the beneficiary of this weeks Fundraising Friday.  HHCS will receive 30% of all individual sales placed on our website on Friday May 5th.

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Pins + Education Saves Babies

Monday, April 11th, 2011

This week we are highlighting a wonderful non profit not too far from us located in Montpelier, Vermont- Prevent Child Abuse (PCAVT).  The organization was founded over 35 years ago and continues to help kids by educating parents and bringing to light child abuse issues.

Proactive education is a key to the organizations success in preventing child abuse.  PCAVT invests a significant amount of resources both human and financial into Shaken Baby Syndrome training.  Training is offered to nearly all parents of newborns in Vermont.  PCAVT provides information on how to safely handle stressful moments with infants and the dangers of shaking a baby.  With knowledge the organization feels that their will be less cases of shaken baby syndrome.  Given the number of training courses that are required (in 2010 they held 169 courses); a large percentage of their budget is dedicated to this cause.  PCAVT has formed a powerful partnership with Designs By Lucinda.  They sell our Little Pal Pins to help fund the Shaken Baby Syndrome program and to raise recognition for children.  They are an ideal image that connects the organizations cause to a pin that is not only worn by women but by men as well.

It is a great communication vehicle that has outreach to both genders.  Men love the Little Pal Star pins as they associate them with wearing a sheriff’s badge.  Both men and women think the pins are unique and increase visibility for PCAVT.  When we inquired further into how the pins have helped their organization, they noted that because of Lucinda’s story, the pins have much more impact and have led to more support for their organization.   PCAVT said that there is greater connection between their donors when they hear how Lucinda was once homeless and went on to create an organization with a mission to give back.  The organization says that the people who wear the pins become ambassadors for Prevent Child Abuse Vermont through the conversations they start.  One teacher even said that “The Kid Pins are getting to be Vermont’s jewelry of choice.” Given this, we asked what outlets they use to sell the pins.  PCAVT said they use several distribution channels including stores, restaurants, conferences, schools, through volunteers, at their physical location and on their website www.pcavt.org.

One final statistic that the organization left us with was the number of Vermonters who have been impacted through their training programs in 2010- 37,532.  Quite a substantial number of people share their stories and life experiences so the trickle effect was far greater.  Thank you PCAVT for your good work and for partnering with us so that we can help in growing the number of people helped by your program.

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Volunteer’s Interests Yield Big Results

Monday, March 14th, 2011

(more…)

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North Georgia United Methodist HHC

Monday, February 21st, 2011

Please welcome Virginia Tinsley with North Georgia United Methodist Housing & Homeless Council.  We shall refer to them as HHC.

HHC uses Designs By Lucinda pins to raise money and awareness.  Funny how they were turned onto our pins.  A woman by the name of Virginia Tinsley (the Executive Director of HHC) was working for another organization passing out pens and candy to grab the attention of the UMC conference attendees.  The attendees would walk by, grab a few writing gadgets and their chocolate fix for the afternoon.  No real conversation instilled.  That is when Virginia noticed a table engulfed by attendees handing money to the exhibitor.  Yes, the table was covered in Lucinda pins and the attendees of the event couldn’t part with their money fast enough to secure the one of a kind pin that caught their eye.  Virginia left the position she held then and became the director of HHC

Virginia and HHC have sold over 14,000 pins and has raised over $100,000.  HHC first started selling pins back in 1996 to raise enough money to purchase a computer.   Today “pin money” provides grants to help shelters, feeding programs, transitional housing, Habitat for Humanity builds, domestic violence shelters and other services.  The Housing and Homeless Council has given out more than $3.7 million in grants since 1990.  She says, “the real success isn’t the money but the exposure the pins have created for us.” Priceless…

Asked what’s her secret to selling so many pins?  She relies on the help of the churches, volunteers, craft shows at Christmas time and exhibiting at the annual UMC Conference.  She says, “You can’t sell them if you don’t have them” and explains that sticking with the pinl theme of what their Non Profit represents is important but she also must offer occasional variation and add new pin designs to her inventory since they are favorable to her loyal customers who continue to buy pins supporting the HHC ministries.   Smart…  After all, we are a society that expects instant gratification and choices.

It was great to hear about HHC’s positive experience and long lasting commitment to selling Lucinda pins.  We figured that after 15 years of fundraising with our pins, Virginia must have witnessed memorable events.  Many stories revolved around individuals who had made substantial pin purchases.  One gentleman fell in love with our colorful butterfly pins and wanted to buy 30 on the spot.  It showed that even men can’t resist the pins and find them to be the perfect gift for the people near and dear to their hearts.  The other story that really jumped out at us was one of a woman who collected Lucinda pins.  Sadly she had passed away but because of her love for the pins, her family donated the pins back to HHC so that they could continue to raise money and awareness.  It was a sentimental journey about the impact of the pins and how they touch people’s lives.

We asked Virginia about the custom pin Designs By Lucinda created for UMC’s 50th anniversary in recognition of the full rights of clergy women, a huge milestone that was honored by one of a kind artwork.  She told us it was quite successful and they still have a few left of the 2600 pins they acquired.  Then we got a heads up.  They are considering having another new design produced!  Virginia is awesome to work with and we are more than excited about creating a new pin design for HHC.

Looking ahead, we wanted to know what the plans are for 2011.  Coming right up Feb. 27th is Homeless Offering Sunday which is a big fundraiser for HHC.  Virginia also shared concerns about the North Georgia Conference budget funding cuts this year and said she will be relying more on pin sales to help cover operating costs.

Finally, we had to ask “Virginia, how many pins have you sold off your body?”  “Oh I don’t know but I sold one yesterday” was the reply of the woman who has dedicated over 20 years to helping the homeless one day at a time.

Thank you Virginia and God bless.

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