Urgent fundraising ideas needed

[Elpie]

Some of you may be aware that Disastersearch (http://disastersearch.org) was started in the Joomla forums when a bunch of us got together to help the victims of hurricane Katrina. Well, the US had more hurricanes and people were dispersed more widely then they were in the first weeks after Katrina. The site is a busy one and we are having to use a dedicated server. Due to relationship building with agencies such as the FBI and their requirements for data security, we have been limited in our choice of server hosts.
We are really happy with our host and the performance of the site BUT the whole project has been self-funded and we have completely exhausted our ability to keep paying.

In September, we had no idea of the scale of the disaster, nor how many people would be using our site (there's been well over 3/4 million people who have registered as either searching or missing).  Nor did we know how long we would be requiring a dedicated server before we could move to shared hosting.  Victims of our own success unfortunately.

We have reached a crisis point. We cannot pass the data onto any other site and we have to keep the site going. 15 new registrations on Christmas Day and we new records being added just as fast as we have people removing their records.  We have to keep the site live for them.

Getting incorporated in the US and 501(c)3 status takes time - we have run out of time.  The site will be going down at the end of this month if we cant find sponsorship/donors.  Again, a catch-22, we are so busy with the site and the people who contact us needing help that we have not been able to be full-time on finding sponsorship.  I need help with some fundraising ideas, sponsorship ideas real fast - anyone got any tips for me please?

[m-g]

Hello,Elpie,

I've become a regular at the Mambo forums,and found your posts very helpful.As such,I have been thinking about this,and,I do have a tentative idea which will certainly need input from others to iron out the creases.

The Mambo forum seems to be down right now,and I only have a few minutes until an appointment.

Is it alright to PM you later?

[Elpie]

Sure thing, PM me anytime, thanks- any and all suggestions will be most gratefully received.

[RobB]

The people from http://www.atlanticphilanthropies.org spending quite a bit of money in South Africa. Maybe the have a couple of thousand US-$ (or NZ$ ?) to spare to at least help you not to shut the server down and look for sustainable funding...

[Elpie]

Thanks Rob.

I was right onto their site as soon as I saw your post.

We do not consider unsolicited proposals for funding.

It's amazing how many funders there are out there who don't open applications up to organisations and just choose who they want to invite to apply. And how many others only offer funding to 501(c)3's that have several years track record behind them
Still, I keep on sending letters and we just need one to respond.  What's the definition of optimist again?

[MoCmS]

Some of you may be aware that Disastersearch (http://disastersearch.org) was started in the Joomla forums when a bunch of us got together to help the victims of hurricane Katrina. Well, the US had more hurricanes and people were dispersed more widely then they were in the first weeks after Katrina. The site is a busy one and we are having to use a dedicated server. Due to relationship building with agencies such as the FBI and their requirements for data security, we have been limited in our choice of server hosts.
The site will be going down at the end of this month if we cant find sponsorship/donors.  Again, a catch-22, we are so busy with the site and the people who contact us needing help that we have not been able to be full-time on finding sponsorship.  I need help with some fundraising ideas, sponsorship ideas real fast - anyone got any tips for me please?

Hi hope this gets to you in time. My site represents and hopefully so, the real purpose of charity work. You have our support and please contact me to fast track, if you need. http://joomlacanada.com

Just one add-on , seen some hits come in and don't be shy to use the live attendant, its me Oh and with this cause there is no country specific agenda, this is one I appreciate and support openly. Hope this clears up some stuff.

[hethro]

[mod note: this post was considered commercial, so I have had to delete it.  However, for those interested please PM the user. Thanks.]

[Elpie]

The poster can PM me if he/she likes 
We are still in desperate need of sponsorship/funds. The next Atlantic hurricane season starts on 1st June and predictions are, it will be at least as bad, if not worse, than last year.  There is a real risk of another large displacement of people and we are working hard on getting a new, improved, site ready. The team cannot be coding and developing as well as fundraising - just not enough hours in the day. We have a paypal donation button on the site but the people who use it are the ones most badly affected and, lets face it, if you have lost everything you sure dont have money to donate!

For those who have offered us shared hosting space - thank you. We cannot take you up on your kind offers simply because our server needs are well beyond the capability of shared hosting. We were running load-balanced servers for approx. 6 weeks following Katrina, and we are still running a dedicated server now.  The server has to be secured in such a way that it meets FBI requirements. We also need to be in a position to quickly bring another server online if needed. So, you can see why we are paying out for server costs!

If there are any fundraising or marketing gurus out there who would like to help, or if anyone knows of a lawyer in Delaware who may consider doing some pro bono work for us, OR if anyone wants to sponsor the site, please PM me.  Thanks.

[wjarrett]

Without knowing the amounts you are trying to raise it's hard to point you in the right direction. Heres some ideas our local Deputy Sheriff's Association which I am the Pres. of have tried in the past that have worked out for us.

Host a golf tournament - 4 man scramble  entry fees of 40 -100 dollars a person and up to 30-40 teams playing can easily net you 5-15 thousand dollars minus any expenses. Most of the time you can usually get golf courses, pro shops, etc. to donate use of facilities, prizes etc.  The reason why these events are so successful is simple. Men like to golf! I get to make a donation and Golf! I'm being charitable and having fun at the same time. The prizes in these events are nice but are really not that important. Most of these guys are out to drink beer, golf and socialize. Events like this of course requires planning and leg work on your part to put it all together. Find the golfer within your midst and seek his help in puttin it all together, I will just about guarantee he can point you to the right golf courses to approach etc.

Can you try seeking local sponsors like businesses? Offer them a little space somewhere on your website " Proud sponsor of blah blah blah " is a good quick cash earner but is a lot more involved both technically and manhours going door to door.

If you are seeking larger sums of cash exceeding $15,000 and have limited people and time to do your fundraising, you are more than likely going to have some difficulties ahead. Just to give you an idea we start planning our fundraisers 6 months out. For larger sums of money you start getting into Grants and stuff. Ive successfully written a few of those for both charitable and Government entities and I can tell you it's a big headache but requires no going out and washing cars or hosting golfers. I compare the application process for some of these grants to doing my taxes x 3 the stress level. 

Tell us a little more about your organization, it's goals, How much your looking for, and to be spent on what. This will make it easier to point you in the right direction.


P.S. I see you mentioned you gotpaypal set up on your website for donations. We are entertaining the same idea on our site which I am just starting up. What's your website adddress? We might be able to make a donation to your cause. OOps nevermind just found it in above post.

Bill Jarrett
President
Canyon County Deputy Sheriff's Association - Idaho

[Elpie]

Thanks for the ideas Bill. I would like to discuss the points you raised further. When you get a moment, would you please email me?
Thanks.

[prameya]

might sound unreal to you but, wrist bad, t-shirts are still the best way!.. i stood up at a bus stop infront of syracuse university and sold wrist bands and t-shirts.. it works.. apart from that, try webhsoting.. i make enough to even go to movies.. well technically to write reviews on them.. but it still awesome!! non-profit rules!!