Get community businesses to see your organization as an asset.
Fundraising discount cards are tools for local businesses to offer discounts to cardholders on the businesses’ goods and services. Nonprofits sell discount cards for income while driving people to businesses. While everyone loves a good deal, this also helps businesses and encourages them to support you!
Having a discount card fundraiser is a way to bring your community and your organization together. At Big Fundraising Ideas, we’ll do the work of building your card for you. But if you want to increase your profit margins, you can do the work and create your card.
Here are a few things to keep in mind.
1. Be ready to tell your story.
Remember, telling a story is the best way to relate to people and have them understand you. We always have fundraising tips for you to use!
When people can personalize your cause, they have a greater connection. And if your story is about a problem that needs help to succeed, people are much more motivated to support it.
2. Make a business prospect list.
If you sell to parents, what are their favorite businesses, restaurants, or spas? Don’t be afraid to ask them! Get a list going so you don’t forget any businesses.
3. Divide and conquer
Divide the list among the leaders of the fundraising effort, give them the storytelling script, and have them meet with those businesses on their list. Meeting in person is best, but we all know how hard that is. Making a telephone appointment will work too.
4. Be a good listener.
Your goal is to support each other mutually – ask each business what needs it has and listen. While hearing about them, listen especially for cries for help to get more people in the door or highlight how unique they are. By listening, you will learn what value you might add to the business with your fundraising cards. And if you care about them, they might want to help you!
5. Why use cards for fundraising?
Fundraising discount cards can draw people to businesses by offering them enticing discounts. Businesses also look good by supporting your organization. The cards can also inform people about any new services or products that businesses may offer. This is much cheaper than traditional advertising!
Be sure to ask them what discount they may be willing to offer. Typical offers include “buy one get one free”, a certain percentage off, or a dollar discount. They can make it a ‘win-win’ by giving some traction to their new product or service.
6. Stay in contact.
Remember, you’ve developed a special relationship here. Make a plan around occasional check-ins and see how the business is doing. Send a thank you note to the business for helping your organization. Use your social media and website to let visitors know who supports you!
You develop a bond between the business and your organization by staying connected. That is a decent place to be, and next year’s discount card fundraiser will be much easier to set up by retaining that relationship. The business will associate your organization as good for their business, and you can always tout your friendship with the business to boost your image, as well!
Author Bio
Clay Boggess has been designing fundraising programs for schools and various nonprofit organizations throughout the US since 1999. He’s helped administrators, teachers, and outside support entities such as PTAs and PTOs raise millions of dollars. Clay is an owner and partner at Big Fundraising Ideas.
