Fundraising activities can also motivate and bring communities together. Many fundraising events are fun, with people feeling that they are getting something of value for their donations as well as satisfaction from contributing to a cause. In addition, fundraising activities can be a medium for building awareness and disseminating information.

Fundraising entails significant responsibility. Volunteer-based, not for profit organizations must be transparent with income and expenditures. Regular public financial reports are a necessity. Potential community donations are finite and therefore organizations must be sensitive to the financial needs of other organizations in the community, so as not to be seen to be greedy. Cooperation rather than competition among organizations is preferable when organizing fundraising activities.

Organizations should also consider setting guidelines to control the sources of funds. Major donors give money for the purpose of supporting "good work." However, there may also be conditions attached to donations, such as advertising or other public association with a product, company or philosophy. Directors of organizations must be cautious that the mission isn't changed or compromised by accepting a certain donation or project grant.

There is a wide range of possible ways to raise funds. Organizations should choose those that are popular and appropriate for the time and place. Following are some fundraising ideas:

• Direct requests for donations: direct mail, face to face and door to door; requests to businesses and specific individuals.
• Special events: pot luck suppers, dinner and desert theatres, reunion dances, family fun events, barbecues, book fairs, etc.
• Donation of articles and services: sold at auctions, yard sales, flea markets, etc.
• Lottery events: selling tickets on popular items, even-split draws, etc.; provincial permits required.
• Partnerships and sponsorships: support from community development programs and institutional and commercial donations; e.g. MTT Community Builders Program.
• Sales of products: T-shirts, buttons, posters and other items advertising the cause; crafts, produce, forest products such as Christmas trees, firewood and fenceposts.
• Major projects: many community volunteers contracting with a firm to do major work such as land and right-of-way clearing, pulp cutting, construction, etc. For example, the MEC was offered a stand of timber by a company which needed it cleared. Dozens of volunteers with chain saws cut it and its sale brought in a considerable sum.

Applications for Grants from Foundations:

There are many regional, national and international foundations dedicated to the financial support of education initiatives. However, the quest for support is highly competitive. The resources listed below can be extremely helpful. The following are a few points to keep in mind when approaching foundations for money:

• Understand the foundation before making a proposal. Foundations tend to focus on particular aspects of an issue. (These specific interests are included in The Canadian Directory to Foundations and Grants.) Knowing what activities are most likely to receive support can save your organization valuable time and expense.