by Darlene J. Coomes

Created on: December 16, 2008

How to Raise Money for Animal Shelters

Fundraising is not an easy task. It requires hard work, dedication and passion for your cause or organization. In these unsettling economic times it will become even more difficult as nonprofits compete for a smaller pool of money. However, general guidelines to follow are appropriate at all times. There are three areas to address:

1. Education and Public Awareness,

2. An ongoing financial strategy that addresses fundraising today and tomorrow, and

3. A skilled and qualified staff to carry out the mission, goals and objectives of the organization.

Education and public awareness are top priorities for raising money for shelters. Use every avenue to educate the public about the magnitude of the pet overpopulation. Encourage people to spay and neuter their pets. Help low income people with affordable spay and neuter programs. Make speakers available for civic and community groups. Establish a good rapport with city and county governments. Lobby them to require that pets be licensed making it a higher fee for unneutered animals. Contract with the governing bodies to give a percent of the license fees to the local shelter for the services they provide to the government and the public. Other vendors are regularly paid for services rendered, the shelter should be too. Be confident in the service you provide and its value to the community. Use every possible event, activity, information, people etc for news releases to the media. Make sure the public knows who your board members are. Credit the board as a unit and as individuals for their efforts. Operate the shelter and the volunteer program in such a way that it becomes a privilege to serve on the board or as a volunteer. Never let an opportunity pass to recognize and thank all volunteers.

Hire an executive director. This is of utmost importance. Saying you can't afford it is missing the mark. You can't afford not to have one if you truly want the shelter to sustain a solid and stable plan of action in all areas. They can help you build a program that will end the uncertainty of keeping the doors open from month to month. Once hired trust your staff to do the job you hired them to do. As a board don't try to micro manage. Let the director work to establish a high profile in the community by also being involved in other organizations and projects. Join the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club etc. Partner with schools possibly through the Chamber and offer programs to schools on caring

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