Fund Raising using travel as the incentive.
Published Monday, February 20th 2017Fund raising concepts using travel awards.
I have helped many fund raising activities with associations, non profits, and others. Whenever a group has a demographic of supporters that contribute, work, or support the organization.
One way is a raffle. For instance the organization could sell raffle tickets where the winner is provided a free cruise certificate. I work with many cruise lines to do this, and it has significant advantages for the fund raising organization.
First among them is low or no financial risk. The raffle is conducted and not until the organization has sold enough tickets to pay for the cruise certificate is the certificate ordered and paid for. Receipt of the certificate is usually within the week. We recommend terms and conditions on tickets so if not enough revenue has been generated the organization reserves the right to refund amounts paid ( haven’t had this happen but its a good risk reduction strategy).
Why does this work? First off a cruise is an easy concept for people to understand, a perceived high value. The winning certificate does not expire. It is transferable ( the winner could give it to a relative or friend). It doesn’t expire, and after the initial period can be used on any of the cruise lines sailings for its original cash value. It includes all taxes and fees, gratuities etc for the cruise type selected. Based on the demographic selling to, can be an inexpensive cruise and thus raffle price, to a luxury cruise and applicable raffle price. Raffle ticket prices from $20 to $50 have been successful, and depending on the duration of the raffle, the net can be very high. It is legal in Virginia as long as certain limits are maintained. It can be redeemed directly with the cruise line or through myself. With most cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, it can be used for departures from any of the 26 ports in the USA subject to limits in the certificate such as number of nights ( not all ports have the same cruise duration or destinations )
We support you with collateral, flyer’s, ticket design, suggested printers, and more. We want you to succeed and do it year after year. I can provide references locally where this has worked very well.
If we tie to an event like an annual meeting or other, we can support you with in person Q&A, table top, ticket selling support and more. We can provide much more information and details in a discussion if desired.
A second way is a group cruise. This is a little more complex, but simplified we select a cruise line, date, and itinerary ( could be a land tour as well) and advertise it easier amongst the member as a member focused cruise or perhaps a general public cruise with an association theme. In either case, we make the cruise special either with on board activities, or excursions, or combinations to make it special ( for instance we had a Boy Scout themed Camp at Sea, with merit badges etc). Then for every person who sails there is a fee paid back to the organization by the cruise line, and if a 501c3, possibly even more benefits. In addition, if more then 10 cabins sail, there is a free berth that is earned and this can come back to the organization in the form of cash, or can be a prize in some other fund raising activity etc. Very flexible. If a membership cruise, it can be used for community building, bonding, and more.
These are just some of the ways to use travel as an incentive or offer to assist with fund raising or other association goals. Give us a call at 703-496-4125 or info@travelcruiseandtour.com. You can also use the contact us tab above.
Leave a Reply
indicates a required field
