Green fundraising
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Green Fundraising is the process of soliciting and gathering money or donations through the sale of organic, all natural, or environmentall friendly items. The green fundraising concept originated in 2007 and has become one of the fastest growing subsets of the fundraising industry.
Reasons for Green Fundraisers
The inherent nature of fundraising is being changed as a result of changes within the fundraising industry, as well as the economic downturn, and the green movement that has been popularized since the mid 1990's.
Economic Downturn
The economic downturn of the latter part of the decade is leading to a number of changes in the fundraising world. Organizations that typically host a catalogue or direct sell fundraiser, such as schools and churches, are having to face reduced funding. With property values down as much as 33% in areas like California, some cities are facing unprecedented budget shortfalls and schools budgets are being cut as a result.
On the other end, families that have been struggling to make payments on their mortgages are increasingly less likely to be willing to donate to organizations they may not be directly involved with.
Changes for Fundraising Suppliers
Some major fundraising suppliers, specifically the chocolate manufacturers, have begun to notify distributors that they will no longer be supplying chocolate bars for fundraising beginning in the Spring Fundraising season of 2009. Rising input costs had previously forced a reduction in the size of the candy bars, but the manufacturers realized that further reductions would lead to a decrease in sales.
Many smaller fundraising product suppliers are also facing shortfalls and the real possibility of closure due to increasing costs and decreasing sales. This may prove to be a major issue in early 2009 when the changes start to take effect.
Green Movement
With the founding of Earth Day on April 22nd 1968, the green movement was begun. Today, the concept of greening up one's life is everywhere. Auto manufacturers use it to advertise the latest fuel efficient automobiles. Cleaning product companies are eschewing the earth friendliness of their cleaning supplies. And talk of the greenest energy supplies has played a major roll in the discussions of the political races in 2008.
With major corporations and the government both pouring vast resources into the green concept, people are more focused on the environment now than ever before.
Types of Green Fundraisers
Organizations that want to focus on raising money and promoting a healthy environment have a number of options, all of which fall under the green fundraiser umbrella.