Press release tips for fundraisers

Optimist Clubs certainly do a lot of fundraising.  In fact, fundraising and fundraiser are two of the top topics on this blog and that concerns me a little because I specifically look for club programs where the impact in the communities and children that we serve is easy to recognize.  I wonder, have we become so used to raising funds that the reason we need the money has become an afterthought?

Take this recent article for example from the Cedartown Standard in Georgia:

"The Cedartown Optimist Club is selling tickets for its annual Ham & Egg Day fund-raiser.

The ham and egg breakfasts will be served at the Goodyear Civic Center from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27.

Proceeds from the ticket sales will go toward youth programs in Polk County.

Tickets may be purchase from any Optimist Club member. Tickets may also be purchased downtown at The Law Firm (Mundy and Gammage)."

Aside from the fact that the price of the breakfast is not given, I guess this blurb accomplishes what it set out to do: inform residents that they can support youth programs by buying breakfast from the Optimist Club.

But where is the passion?  Where is an example of a youth program?  Where is the explanation of how it benefits me? 

Many journalists have started taking a human approach to the stories they write.  Instead of presenting just the facts, they tell the story behind the story.  I think that is a good lesson for Optimist Clubs to learn as they promote their fundraising activities.  Consider this FICTIONAL revision of this article:

Chuck Burford and Jean Crane and the Cedartown Optimist Club invite you to join them for the annual Ham and Egg Breakfast on February 27 to benefit youth programs in Polk County.  

According to Burford, more than three hundred children participated in activities sponsored by the Optimist Club last year including middle school student John Jacobs.  Jacobs took first place in the Optimist Oratorical Contest for the Georgia District - Optimist International and collected a $1,500 college scholarship for his effort.

"It is so important that we offer local opportunities like the Oratorical Contest to the students in our community," said Crane. "And think, you can help more students have these kind of opportunities just by eating breakfast."

Tickets are $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children under 12.  They can be purchased at The Law Firm or from any Optimist Club member.  A limited number will be available at the door.  Help the Cedartown Optimist Club help more kids by enjoying breakfast at the Goodyear Civic Center, February 27, 6:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  For more information, please visit (Optimist Club website address here.)

Make your next fundraiser more personal and you will sell more tickets. Even better, explain why you are fundraising and you will attract more publicity.