This topic is about soliciting donations from your existing members to support squadron operations.
Every year, I send a letter to every member on our membership roster asking for donations to the unit to help support the programs that we run. I operate under the assumption that our members want to support CAP and our missions and are willing to donate cash to do so. I send it at the beginning of November, with a reminder that the tax season is approaching and that their donation is tax deductible. Each year, we are able to get a few thousand dollars donated from the membership, which helps tremendously.
I've received some feedback from members of other units to the effect that if a member wants to donate money, they will, without being asked and that we are "wrong" in asking members who already donate their time. Commonly, these donations are the "ice cream after an activity" type and are dependent on the member with the cash being present or spending it as they see fit. While I can certainly appreciate a member making those donations, often times they do so without knowing the financial situation of the unit, or even if their money needs to be spent on those items. For example, I have seen members donate money by paying for corporate vehicle maintenance, or buying replacement batteries for corporate owned radios.
In the ideal situation, our members would take the money that they would contribute to items like this and donate it to their local unit as cash once per year, or quarterly. This would allow the unit to apply the money to programs that need it, and ensure that it isn't wasted where it doesn't need to be.
Do any of your units solicit donations from their existing membership? Do you think that we shouldn't? Other thoughts?
I don't see how this could be considered inappropriate. After your reminder do you have anybody step up and drop a couple coins in the coffers? If so I'd say your approach is working. If a couple of members are "offended", well, gee whiz, sorry about that. I've tossed out reminders myself. It hasn't worked for me, but hey, I'll keep at it.
Quote from: jimmydeanno on October 11, 2011, 09:02:44 PMDo any of your units solicit donations from their existing membership? Do you think that we shouldn't? Other thoughts?
Yes, several of my previous units solicit an annual "voluntary" donation (in other words "dues"), stuff costs money, and if people want to play, they
will contribute. The "I'm already giving my time." doesn't fly unless they are pedaling a generator, stoking the furnace, or refining fuel behind the building.
You can't run a professional organization or do annual planning based on "we hope we'll have the money".
No members should be paying for corporate vehicle maintenance or radio parts, etc. There are appropriate or corporate funds for that, you just have to
do the paperwork.
Jimmy, does your squadron have dues as well?
In any case, I don't see anything wrong with asking once a year. If it was more often that might be a bit much.
Frankly, I'm shocked that you're getting "thousands" out of it. I wouldn't have expected anything like that.
Quote from: RiverAux on October 11, 2011, 09:22:48 PM
Jimmy, does your squadron have dues as well?
In any case, I don't see anything wrong with asking once a year. If it was more often that might be a bit much.
Frankly, I'm shocked that you're getting "thousands" out of it. I wouldn't have expected anything like that.
No, we don't have squadron dues. Right now, this is the fundraising structure that I have setup (not in any particular order).
1) Solicitation from membership: $2,000 annual yield - We have about 20 active seniors. The cadet's parents usually step up to the plate too and we get anywhere from $20 to $400 from any given member (or their parent).
2) Wreaths Across America: $1,400 annual yield
3) Unit Snack Sales: $850.00 annual yield - The snack fridge profits us about $15 per meeting. We sell snacks and beverages at a reasonable markup ($0.50 per item).
4) Local Non-profit solicitation: $4,000 annual yield - last year we were granted 2K from the local AFSA chapter, $500 here and there from VFW, AFA, etc.
5) Local Business Sponsorship: Starting this year. We have a significant amount of businesses that we'll be soliciting for donations.
Our squadron has dues. Please remember that for your squadron to have dues you must have the wing commanders authorization to do so. We also have a large number of government employees as members so we remind them that we are listed in either their United Way campaign or the Combined Federal Campaign. We would also accept donations directly as well. Nobody is pressured.
What about soliciting for other organizations such as selling girl scout cookies?
Quote from: SARDOC on October 11, 2011, 09:51:02 PMWhat about soliciting for other organizations such as selling girl scout cookies?
That I have an issue with, same as when we make donations to other 501c(3)s, IMHO that defeats the purpose.
Quote from: Eclipse on October 11, 2011, 10:12:30 PM
Quote from: SARDOC on October 11, 2011, 09:51:02 PMWhat about soliciting for other organizations such as selling girl scout cookies?
That I have an issue with, same as when we make donations to other 501c(3)s, IMHO that defeats the purpose.
I do too...but I really like some of those cookies. :)