These programs encompass a wide range of possibilities with five primary areas being – Level-based Donor Contributions/Sponsorships, Party-based Events that include parties and silent and live auctions, Activity-based Events that include golf tournaments and walks, runs, and races, Live Telethon / Phone Bank Solicitations, and Contributions from Specialty Product Sales. Also, see Fundraising Program Suggestions and Program Planning Template.

Promotional items for each program type may include:

Level-based Donor Contributions/Sponsorships are typically composed of four to six levels of increasing value ranging from a base level (copper) to a highest level (platinum) with each higher level including the items of all of the preceding lower levels. Several types of promotional items or premiums may be included as donor benefits as well as items that signify the donation level. Frequently, these programs run concurrently with fundraising Party Events in which event tables may be included as a contribution benefit. Memento gifts may be given to each table guest.

Incentive items based on level contributions could include desk sets, crystal and lucite embedments, statuary, money clips, key rings, golf accessories, and specialty interest DVDs.

Gala-based Fundraising Events frequently include several pre-event gatherings and parties, silent and live auction acquisition, dining and arrangements acquisition, raffle, and as mentioned above, Donor Table Sponsorships. Promotional, commemorative and “thank you” specialty items can be used to motivate volunteers, thank auction contributors, reinforce the event theme, create enthusiasm among pre-event attendees, and offer lasting impressions through event mementos.

Pre-gala support incentives could include reminder items such as glasses, mugs, coaster, pen sets, bookmarks, and scarves. Event theme-based incentive-mementos can be used as table pieces, awarded to a table member during the event, and place setting accompaniments as a memento and cause reinforcement. When selecting premium items, match them with the gala’s theme – Broadway Hits, Black & White, Cattle Baron, Kentucky Derby, Indy 500, Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, Wine & Art, Symphony, Opera, Beaux Artes, Masters, Debutant, Christmas, and New Year.

Activity-based Fundraising Events afford a wide range of specialty product promotional benefit for pre-event publicity, at-event identification and cause reinforcement, and as after-event mementos. A pre-event publicity program can include themed items delivered to the media, distributed as goal-based incentives for volunteers, and registration appreciations for event participants. An at-event awareness and cause reinforcement program can include a wide range of branded clothing, specially designed shirts, drink and sports related items, badges, buttons, pens, note pads, banners, prizes, certificates, awards and trophies. After-event keepsakes and mementos can be distributed to volunteers and event participants. Health or service-related walk/run races and political candidate support gatherings are two examples of Activity-based Events.

Live Telethon / Phone Bank Drives use incentive products to build membership and gain contributions. These programs often include two areas where incentives are used, and in both cases they act as a motivator and as a “thank you” item. For contributor incentive rewards, a wide range of branded, subject/theme-based specialty items can be used. These can be complemented with branded theme-based items given to the volunteers and may include clothing worn during the event and well as mementos.

Premium items may include music and audio story CDs, DVDs, drinkware, calendars, posters books, puzzles, travel accessories, wearable, health & fitness items, and umbrellas.

Contributions from Specialty Product Sales can play a significant role in a fundraising program. In these programs an appropriate specialty item or items are selected and then branded to reinforce the reason behind the contribution. The items are then sold by volunteers, in obliging retail locations, or via public service announcements carried by local media stations.

Specialty items that make ideal “for-sale’ fundraising vehicles include private-label candy bars, cookies, cause-themed mascots and stuffed animals, collectable stickers or squeeze toys, bracelts, magnets, buttons, and puzzles or games.