3 Ways
to Be
Unlucky
in Unit Fundraising
Funds often flow to your unit because of community relationships established by your fellow Civil Air Patrol members.
Unlucky Effort #1:
You didn't read
CAP Regulation 173-4
and conducted a fundraiser without your Squadron and Wing Commander's Approval.
You may have had a great plan, but there are no lucky charms in your cereal today! Time to share your misstep and get back on track. Fundraising activities are great- but you want to make sure your efforts don't cost more than you earn so that you c
an be a great steward of donated funds.
Wing Commanders are accountable for ensuring their members' actions align with CAP's values and fiduciary responsibilities. That is why Wing Commanders are required to approve all unit/wing fundraising activities. The process includes legal and safety considerations in addition to the potential financial benefits. Let’s face it, the phrase “just because you can doesn’t mean you should” goes a long way towards keeping our luck from running out!
Familiarize yourself with CAPR 173-4. This regulation is the best place to start for knowing what you can and can’t do. This will keep you from getting into trouble as you search for your pot of gold.
Unlucky Effort #2:
You submit a grant proposal without meeting or talking to the person receiving the letter/proposal package.
Fundraising is about relationships. Call ahead and meet the person receiving the application. Ask them for tips and let them know what you plan to submit. This will increase your chances of securing the grant.
Target your fundraising goals to the donors that match your mission. While every unit should be working toward all three primary missions, every unit has its unique specialty that it excels in more than the others. Knowing your mission (what you are trying to accomplish) will equip you to know who to approach for funding. Focused fundraising based on what you do well and what you want to accomplish increases your chances of hitting the jackpot.
Unlucky Effort #3:
You send a letter or make an ask and don't proof or spell check.
Before you send in that grant proposal or request for donation, be sure to do a grammar and spellcheck. Remember the rules about “Let’s eat grandma” vs “Let’s eat, Grandma.” You want to get their attention because CAP is awesome, not because your proposal is unprofessional. Be careful of run-on sentences, dangling participles and misspelled words. Donors are reviewing who to send their money to, so make sure you don’t get your proposal dumped into the circular file, bringing you down on your luck. #SaveGrandma
Somewhere Under the Rainbow...You Can Share Your Successes and Exchange It for Gold!
