Fixations
PetFix North East Ohio

Fixations is an evening of personal pampering for the human featuring mini-makeovers, consultations, massage, and shopping. Local shelter dogs get into the act to by receiving makeovers too! This event brings an entirely new audience to spay/neuter by offering a popular fashion and beauty event presented by respected vendors (Nordstrom and John Robert’s Spa). The spay/neuter message is evident throughout the evening, but this is primarily a fundraiser to subsidize the cost of spay/neuter for those in need using their mobile van. In 2007 PetFix had 65 people and cleared $21,000. This year’s goal is $26,000 by adding in holistic services to broaden the base.

Contact petfix.neo@sbcglobal.net for more information.

Voluntary Donation Insert with Dog License Forms
Geauga County Dog Warden

Dog wardens and animal control often struggle to fund items not covered under the general fund. The dog warden wanted to use the money on medical expenses such as spay/neuter and also treating for heartworm, rabies shots, vaccinations, and injuries to newly admitted dogs. He includes an insert with renewal dog license applications that specifically includes what this will fund and how their donation will help. The donation amount is left open to whatever people want to give. They are able to spay/neuter all of their animals before adoption because of this fund. In 2005 they received around $12,000. In 2007 they raised $32,000 and this is with only 94,000 residents and 12,000 dog licenses. Donations are sent directly to the shelter and staff mark it as donation and deposit it into the medical donation fund.

Contact mattgdw@netlink.net for use of material.

Client Donation Forms
HOPE Clinic and Humane Ohio

Here are two different samples of groups collecting donations at check out. At the HOPE clinic, clients are given the post operative instruction form with a donation form attached and asked to send back a donation if they can. They raise about $7,000 annually. Inspired by this, Humane Ohio created their own form. They ask people at check in if they would like to make a $1 donation to allow them to help others in need of subsidized surgeries. Almost all clients give. If people can’t, they offer them this form and an envelope to send donations back in if they can donate in the future.

Contact Wyhumaneoffice@cs.com or info@humaneohio.org for use of material.

Sample Appeal Letter to Donors
Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project

he group does two appeals a year (Winter and Spring). Winter has a challenge grant associated with it that typically brings in more donations. Their 2007 winter appeal letter brought in $11,000 with a match up to the $5,000 so the total outcome was $16,000. Donations are higher at the end of the year as people give at the holidays and to receive year-end tax donations. It is also a more competitive time for donation dollars so they really focus on a compelling story or reason why people would want to give to them. Because of their year-end challenge grant match people like that their donation is going twice as far and some donors wait until the end of the year to make their donation because of the challenge grant. It is important to stay in touch with those donors throughout the year so they feel connected to the organization and not forgotten about.

Contact questions@feralcatproject.org for more information.

Petcasso
Animal Trustees of Austin 

Petcasso is the signature fundraising event for Animal Trustees of Austin. It is held every February and is a fun, creative evening of live music, a fabulous dinner and a silent auction. The main event is live art auction featuring paintings created by Austin animals. The animals strut their stuff on the runway while the auctioneer conducts the bidding. The 2007 Petcasso auction included a painting by Sheryl Crow's horse "Lady C" and raised over $95,000 to support the ATA clinics. The 2008 auction raised even more - $130,000. 

Visit their website at: www.animaltrustees.org for more information