It's just part of the job at Epilepsy Toronto
Epilepsy Toronto is a nonprofit organization that provides counselling, employment support, education, and other services helping people with epilepsy live independently and with dignity. The organization typically raises about $300,000 each year, in part through the help of staff and volunteers. As Epilepsy Toronto is also a United Way agency, the organization also raises about $3,000 to $4,000 a year in support of United Way through internal fundraising campaigns. The organization has roughly ten core staff and as many as 100 volunteers.
Popular fundraising activities through which staff and volunteers support the organization include Friday lunch sales (one staff member makes a food or treat, enough to feed everyone, and each staff pays a loonie or more, to eat a portion), art auctions, an annual gift wrapping service, and annual city-wide events that support Epilepsy Toronto, like the Toronto Waterfront 5K Marathon or BuskerFest.
"Our board, volunteers, and staff participate in these activities, especially our management, because it's important that management set an example to others in the organization," says spokesperson Nicole Nelson.
When asked if there are any challenges to getting staff motivated in fundraising efforts, Nelson answers thoughtfully, "Not really. I think when you work for a nonprofit organization, there's an expectation that from time to time, you'll be called on to support it in this way, so people generally know what they're getting into. Especially in smaller charities like ours, it's just considered part of the job sometimes to participate in these events."
Nelson also believes that part of ensuring staff support for future fundraising campaigns or initiatives starts with the hiring process, even before an internal campaign begins. "When you're hiring for a nonprofit organization you want to find the right people. People who are team players, are flexible, and willing to give a little extra sometimes when needed, like working on a Saturday at a fundraising event."
Making it a celebration at Canadian Red Cross
"You really need to treat an internal campaign like a celebration," says Diana Borowski, director of development at the Canadian Red Cross (Ontario Chapter). The notion of celebration in internal campaigns is so important to Borowski that she seems almost to repeat the idea like a mantra.
The chapter's annual Red Cross Family Campaign runs for about two weeks and has raised an average of about $22,000 per year over the last three years through fundraising efforts and donations made by 60 or more staff, volunteers, and board members. Each campaign sports a different theme, most recently a gardening theme. "The idea was 'plant a seed in the garden of community'," Borowski explains.
Key elements of the annual staff campaign include a lively kick-off event, special guest speakers (international Red Cross delegates), viewing Red Cross videos, and sharing testimonials written or presented by people who have been helped by Red Cross programs and services. Examples of testimonials include letters from people in communities that have experienced natural disasters, or from a person who has used the Red Cross Meals on Wheels service. Testimonials from people helped by your organization can be just as motivating for donations with staff as with external donors.
"Leadership giving is also an important part...everyone in the management team, including myself, gives a minimum $1,000 donation as part of the campaign. With an internal campaign, management needs to take the first step," advises Borowski.
Though internal campaigns can be lots of fun, Borowski also emphasizes that nonprofits treat them with as much care and consideration as external campaigns. "Work as hard at getting internal support as you would for external support," she encourages. "Make sure that no one in your organization is taken for granted. After the campaign, we acknowledge staff contributions in our newsletters and on our 'donor wall', which is a special area in our staff cafeteria. Treat it like a celebration. Celebrate your organization and celebrate your staff |
