Fundraising is the gentle art of teaching the joy of giving.
- Hank Rosso

Donors don’t give to institutions. They invest in ideas and people in whom they believe.
- G.T. Smith

In good times and bad, we know that people give because you meet needs, not because you have needs.
- Kay Grace

You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.
- Winston Churchill

Life is an echo — what you send out comes back.
- Unknown

There is a wonderful mythical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life — happiness, freedom, and peace of mind — are always attained by giving them to someone else.
- Peyton Conway March

Complete possession is proved only by giving. All you are unable to give possesses you.
- Andre Gide

He who allows his day to pass by without practicing generosity and enjoying life’s pleasures is like a blacksmith’s bellows — he breathes but does not live.
- Sanskrit Proverb

No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.
- Calvin Coolidge

I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.
- Albert Schweitzer

If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day, go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.
- Chinese proverb

Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.
- Seneca

What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other.
- George Eliot

A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.
- Lawrence G. Lovasik

Giving opens the way for receiving.
- Florence Scovel Shinn

Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.
- Oprah Winfrey

The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.
- William James

Appreciation can make a day–even change a life, Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.
- Margaret Cousins

Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.
- Gladys Browyn Stern

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a gift and not giving it.
- Unknown

• Some studies have shown that it requires an investment of 15 to 25 cents for every dollar raised while others claim it takes about 50 cents for every dollar.
• In the year 2000, an independent study showed that 59% of American non-profits did not report any fundraising expenses to the IRS.
• Winston Churchill once said, “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.” That’s something to consider when approaching fundraising.
• According to Giving USA, individual contributions to non-profits reached nearly $200 billion in 2005.
• Martha Stewart once helped a small non-profit raise funds receiving a book by eight-year-old author Nicholas Stewart. How did she help? Nicholas was featured on Martha’s show!
• According to the Association of Fundraising Professionals, 7% more women volunteer than men (on average, about 31% of women volunteer versus 24% of men). The most active age range for both genders is 35 to 54.
• The IRS recently revamped Form 990, which details how much non-profit groups spent on programs, management, and fundraising. Don’t forget to check out the latest changes!
• Some of the world’s richest people are also the biggest philanthropists. Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Virgin founder Richard Branson are among the billionaires who’ve pledged significant portions of their fortune towards worthy causes.
• Presidential campaigns are some of the biggest fundraisers today, and current candidate Barack Obama broke records with $32.5 million raised in a three month period.
• Helen Keller on giving: “Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”

1: Set different goals and give regular updates
Milestones are important in any aspect of life. They break things up into achievable segments and provide a finish line to shoot for. When it comes to fundraising, set a variety of goals, both big and small. When your team gets close to one, make sure everyone knows about it, and then celebrate as a team when you get there.

2: Give incentives
Everyone likes winning prizes and it’s easy to have incentives that fit your budget. Many affordable items, such as pizza coupons, tickets, and gift cards, can give your team the extra boost they need to achieve your goals.

3: Stay positive and have fun

Nothing keeps the human spirit more motivated than one simple word: fun! If your team is enjoying themselves, then they’ll approach fundraising with enthusiasm every time. Think of ways to keep things fresh and fun – anything from awarding silly prizes for the top fundraiser to offering upbeat, positive praise. When individuals truly become a team, they look for each other, care for each other, and laugh with each other – and then anything is possible.