Fundrai$ing Idea$

1. Fundrai$ing Idea$

2. Time, Talent and Treasure Be aware of Federal Election Commission rules regarding contributions to Federal candidates plus GOVT and other efforts on behalf of Federal candidates or during election cycles in which Federal candidates (such as U.S. Senators or Congressmen) are on the ballot. Timing of fundraising events is also important. Check with a person knowledgeable about FEC rules regarding raising and spending funds.

3. Trea$ure Hunting (Fundrai$ing) Direct fundraising • Letters • House Parties • Pass the Hat Collections • Lincoln Cabinet • Non-Event “Event” • Grassroots PLUS • Event Fundraising • Galas (Lincoln or Reagan dinners) • Golf Tournaments • Receptions or Meet and Greets • Theme Events • Murder Mystery dinner • Red, White & Blue costume dinner

4. Who’s in Charge??? • County Chairs can’t do it alone • Set targeted $$ goal • Team effort needed • Event Committee • Plan and execute specific event • Fundraising Committee • Set individual goals to donate or raise from others • Help prepare invitation lists • Help with follow-up contacts

5. Direct Fundraising • Should have specific need/goal • $10,000 for computer system upgrade • Hiring Executive Director • Replacing worn out HQ furniture • Sending a targeted mail piece

6. Direct Fundraising Ideas Donations • Write a letter to Republicans in your county outlining the County Party plans to advance the party and ask them for a donation. Membership • Ask Republican voters to pay a ‘Membership Fee’ to help support the basic operations of the County Party. • Example: Member $15 or Family Membership $25 • Make sure to keep these individuals informed of events and other important information. • You cannot force anyone to pay a fee to participate. • No one can ‘buy a vote’ on the CEC.

7. More Direct Fundraising Ideas • Letters to potential donors • Known Party supporters • 2 or 3 R voters • Donors for state-wide and lower Republican candidates on TEC reports • Learn from fundraising letters YOU receive • State your goal and purpose • Set a deadline for contributions • Offer a “match” from a generous donor if possible • Include several ways to donate • credit card, check (payable how), online, reply form with several suggested levels of giving. • Remind them how it will benefit them if you achieve your goal

8. More Direct Fundraising Ideas • House Parties • Held in private home. • Host invites his/her friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. • Host provides refreshments. • Party official presents possible power point. • Party official provides handouts with overview of presentation plus pledge and donation form. • Host also encourages attendees to donate. • Host provides contact information on attendees to Party for follow-up and helps with follow-up if possible.

9. More Direct Fundraising Ideas • Pass the Hat • Can be done at any event, including CEC meetings. • May have a cute theme, such as St. Patrick’s Day “green” (money) donations. • Be sure to get donor information per TEC and FEC. • “The Denton County Republican Party has all the money it needs to carry out our goals for defeating Democrats in November. However, those funds are still in your wallets and checkbooks!” 

10. More Direct Fundraising Ideas • Non-event “event” • No date conflicts • Catchy way to invite people to stay home from this event. • Don’t rent a tux, buy a dress or squeeze into those tight shoes. • Don’t get a baby sitter. • Don’t wash the car. • Just stay home after you have sent your $$$ to local Party!

11. Direct Fundraising Partners • Grassroots PLUS • Partner with RPT to obtains ongoing, year-round donations. • Offer your own benefits to supporters as well as the RPT ones. • Special lapel pin, shirt, name recognition, etc.

13. Major Donors • Major Donors Group • Provides substantial funds for local party PLUS provides a clear benefit for the donors • Lincoln Cabinet (Denton County) • Private VIP Briefings with government officials, etc. • Special Receptions • Prime Gala Dinner Seating • Complimentary tickets to other special events • Invitation letters to potential members for each event and follow-up by fundraising Committee members

14. Event Fundraising • Lincoln or Reagan dinners • Guest speaker: political or conservative personality • Large fees for non-office holders • Office holders reluctant to schedule too far in advance • Offer to hold a private fundraiser for office holder prior to your event with them as the major draw for a quicker commitment • Hold receptions prior to dinner • One for top donors, another for attendees (charge extra)

15. Tips for Auctions • Use bidder numbers, rather than names. Issue number when checking in attendees and try to get credit card info then to save check-out time. • Have efficient checkout and provide bags for bidders (good way to use candidate bags left from election.) • Live Auction • Try for professional auctioneer who will donate services • Limit number of items to truly “top of the line” • Advertise items in news releases, printed invitations, list in dinner program

16. More Auction Tips • Silent Auction • Group items by type (jewelry, restaurant certificates, political, patriotic, home décor, etc.) • Keep display simple but eye-catching and have a separate program listing items. • Bid sheets (using bidder numbers rather than names) also can have a BUY NOW line and price which guarantees bidder gets that item. • Bid sheets also can have a “drawing” for everyone who bids on yellow line (set amount ahead of time on that line on certain items) and drawing is held near end of evening. • Set minimum raised bid (example $5) and print incrementally on bid sheets. • Close silent auction early enough to allow Bidder Board to be prepared with numbers of successful bidders.

17. What’s new this year in the • Silent Auction ? ? ? • Buy It Now • You will automatically be the winning bidder for the item. • That’s it – the bidding stops when anyone places their bid • in the BUY IT NOW area on the bidder form. • You will also be automatically placed in the • SPECIAL DRAWING at the end of the night for a special gift. • Highlighted Bid Amount • Be the lucky bidder on this line, even if you are not the winning bidder, and be automatically placed in the drawing with all of the BUY IT NOW winners. • SPECIAL DRAWING • will be held after the Keynote Speaker is finished, on the stage. • Must be present to win. • $80 Dinner at Salerno’s Restaurant , Flower Mound • One Night Stay at the DFW Hyatt Hotel • Breakfast or Brunch at the hotel • - Over $300 Value -

18. Sample Bid Sheet

19. Suggestions for Auction Items • Flag to be flown over US or TX capital on date bidder specifies. • Special time with an elected official such as fishing trip, lunch, tour of capital, etc. • Year of monthly desserts by a fabulous cook in your county. • Prison-made items donated by legislators: rocking horse, special chairs, etc. • Political and sports memorabilia (“Auction in a Box.”)

20. “Campaign Headquarters” • Nice addition to the Lincoln-Reagan dinner, held in adjacent hallway or foyer to dinner area. • Special booths for candidates to staff during receptions and dinners at major gala. • Charges vary by level of office sought. • Provide attendees with map of which booths are where. • Party can help with decorating booths and perhaps with volunteers as well.

21. Other Fundraising Events • Golf Tournament • Underwriting is critical as it’s more difficult to get golfers to pay for a non-charity event. • Golfers will expect “swag”. • Include a silent auction of sports-related items. • May want to provide some “girly” event for wives in conjunction with golf, such as cosmetic and jewelry displays from vendors who will split proceeds with Party.

22. Other Fundraising Events Republican Round Up • Food, drinks and paper goods hopefully donated from local businesses. • Local Candidates • Serve food – Get to visit with voters as they pass through the line. • Sell tickets – Each candidate is given a set of tickets to sell and then they are allowed to keep the funds from the tickets. • Tickets – Of course, you could sell the tickets with the funds coming back to the Party.

23. Other Fundraising Events • Themed Events • Lunch with YOUR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIAL (a popular elected official) who may even donate the cost of the luncheon at a very nice place. • “Roast” an elected official • Perhaps one who is retiring or has just set a milestone in office. • Murder Mystery dinner (comedy) • Write your own with a “murdered” elected official or use a professional group.

24. Fundrai$ing Cautions Raffle • Political Parties and Political Organizations CANNOT hold raffles as it is considered a form of gambling according to state law. • Plus the RPT Platform opposes gambling. Silent and Live Auctions • Obtain donations from businesses, members and elected officials. • Sample sheets are in your packet for both Silent and Live Auction items to ensure that all Texas Ethics Commission requirements are met for both the donor, the purchaser and the item.

25. Summary of Fundraising • Set a goal. • Have a team and a plan. • Publicize within the Party and to the public. • Plan events carefully and thoroughly. • Have FUN! • Celebrate your success.