Agawam, MA (PRWEB) December 14, 2010

A newly released book called The Almanac of Fundraising Ideas is promising to help smaller non-profits, schools and churches that are struggling with lower contributions.  Sharing data from GuideStar’s November 2010 report on fundraising, Joe DiDonato, the author of the new book, stated that the non-profit sector is still experiencing widespread financial problems.  

Mr. DiDonato said that there was some positive news: “large non-profits were more likely to report increases in donations in the first nine months of 2010.”  However, he went on to explain that the multiple relief efforts for Haiti, China and other world disasters may have skewed the numbers for some of these larger international organizations, especially those that were directly involved in rescue and support operations.

According to DiDonato, a majority of the organizations were still reporting lower contributions, while conversely, experiencing more demand for their services.  One of the study’s summary points was that “In the Health, Public‐Society Benefit, and Religion subsectors, a larger percentage of organizations reported a decrease in charitable contributions.”  These affected organizations reported that they were coping with the situation by implementing cut-backs in program services, operating hours, salaries, and personnel.   

Mr. DiDonato recounted similar woes at the two charities where he had served as a board member.  ‘The initial tendency is to cut-back sharply on services and people. But that thinking assumes a finite number of ways to raise money for your cause.’ He pointed out that there are many ways to buffer operating revenues, from incorporating additional venues within each event, to novel new ways of raising money that most charitable organizations have not yet tried or considered. 

“In one of the non-profits that dealt with support of cancer survivors, I was asked to chair a budget shortfall subcommittee,” Mr. DiDonato recounted. He said that he put together a list summarizing 200 fundraising ideas that he had come across over the years, and put that list in front of 8 committee members before the planning meeting.  “Instead of going into that meeting with a bias to close down several of our services, we ended up developing 8 new ideas that could raise money in the next two quarters - and without overloading our staff and volunteers.”  Mr. DiDonato hopes that other fundraising committees will see similar results when they read through his new eBook. 

Included in this 350-page fundraising almanac are “How it Works” and “Ideas to Consider” sections for each of the fundraisers, as well as 88 links to YouTube videos showing successful events in operation, like a Bowl-a-Thon that raised over $90,000; to one mom’s efforts to raise money for her daughter’s Autism treatments by getting 99 women to help her put together a naked “cheesecake” calendar.  The book also contains examples and illustrations, website links, supplier links, as well as links to ‘turnkey’ providers who will put on an entire event for a non-profit, like a Rubber Duck Race or a Casino Night.

One of the direct benefactors of the book will be The Orphan Foundation who will receive $1 for every copy of the eBook that’s purchased. For more information about this eBook and an immediate download, visit www.FundraisingAlmanac.com. Gift certificates are also available for immediate download. 

Follow Joe DiDonato on Twitter:
www.Twitter.com/JDiDonato.  

Links to All Press Releases

New Book to Help Non-Profits Struggling with Donations - 12/14/2010: (Click to View)

New Book Promises to Help Struggling Charities - 12/16/2010: (Click to View)