10 IDEAS TO RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL NLAAD EVENTS

1. Prepare a budget for your NLAAD event and outline potential or planned expenses. Plan ahead by placing a $$ value on anything that has been donated to see how much you have invested in NLAAD and how much more you will need to carry out your event.

2. Consider using in-kind donation letters or sponsorship letters to approach local businesses, business associations, chambers of commerce and other community based organizations. Draft sample letters, set up meetings and explain the importance of their role in support of your awareness activity. Check the “Samples” section of your campaign toolkit CD for a sample letter on engaging local businesses or visit www.nlaad.org

3. Develop a journal and sell ads to companies or organizations that would like to promote themselves.

4. Request a meeting with your local pharmaceutical representative to provide $1000 - $5000 in support of your local testing activities.

5. Send a simple, yet detailed three page proposal about your NLAAD event(s) to your local community foundation and request sponsorship, funding, and/or support.

6. Organize a raffle two to three months prior to October 15th. Ask for donated items (i.e., iPod or laptop), sell raffle tickets and announce the winner(s) at your NLAAD event(s). Make sure to include the names of your sponsors (company, individual, or organization that donated the item) on all of your promotional materials.

7. Ask your local parish or congregation for a second collection of donations between September 15th and October 15th. You may need to ask your Priest or Pastor two or more months in advance.

8. Write 20 letters to friends and supporters asking them to support the local NLAAD committee. Make sure the recipient agency has a Nonprofit 501(c)(3) status.

9. Write letters to and meet with your local legislators. Highlight the epidemic in their district and identify 3 ways in which they can support, sponsor or participate in your awareness activity (ex. write and release a press release or media advisory for your event). Check “Samples” section of your campaign toolkit CD for a sample letter on working with elected officials or visit www.nlaad.org

10. Bake your favorite foods and hold a bake sale at your organization’s office, in front of a school, at a community sporting event, at a community cultural activity, etc. Use those funds for your HIV/AIDS awareness activity.

Be creative, be specific, and most importantly be persistent!