MKP USA Fundraising Guide

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We each have a call to create and build Community with Men of Mission. It takes resources and resourcefulness – time, enthusiasm, vision, and money. We are the Men we’ve been waiting for – the Men the world needs – taking action for a safer, more compassionate world for all.

Fundraising is an essential part of strengthening and expanding not only a community of better Men, but the greater community as a whole, seeing Men showing up in a new way.

The list below is to guide, offering suggestions for potential fundraising for your community. We’ve made every effort to give you the tools to execute these programs. You’ll find a “how it works” section and contacts and links to get your community set up. We’ve even contacts with MKP Men who have and/or are implementing these programs so you can ask questions as you move forward.

Let these be starting points. Let your Imagination and Resourcefulness inspire you to develop new and Fun ways to raise funds and reach out to your communities.

If not us, then who?

Amazon Smile

This is a way to create ongoing funding with little maintenance over time other than initial setup and awareness emails and announcements at group events and functions in your community. This can be setup by 1 man.

How it Works:

Amazon.com has a linked site called Smile.Amazon.com. Purchasing from Amazon through the AmazonSmile.com allows each purchaser to select a non-profit Charity to benefit from each and every purchase. The site automatically donates 0.5% of the every purchase made through Smile.Amazon.com to the purchaser-selected charity. Smile.Amazon.com offers the same exact selection of products at the same prices as the normal Amazon.com site with the added bonus of 0.5% of the purchase going to MKP USA.

A person MUST use the Smile.Amazon.com site (NOT Amazon.com) in order to generate the automatic donation to the ManKind Project, so building awareness and reminding people to use the alternate site address – Smile.Amazon.com is key. To select the ManKind Project USA on Amazon Smile, search for ManKind Project Layton, UT.


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Used Vehicle and Property Donations

Here is an easy, low maintenance way to bring in funds through people donating used cars, boats, motorcycles, motor homes, time shares, even houses and property. This can be setup and run with only 1 man. Time commitment is only an hour per quarter (at minimum) – sending out awareness emails about the program with the contact information for completing the donation. The time commitment can increase if you wish to extend the advertising and awareness of this program to more of the surrounding community (i.e. with printed flyers, announcements at events, etc).

How it Works:

Cars, Inc., 4669 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92123, coordinates the entire process nationally. Once setup, a donor simply calls toll-free 844-MKP-4-CAR (844-657-4227) or visit the website here – http://mkpusa-cardonations.org. You will use the 844 number and the website link in your awareness emails and advertisements. The 844 number and website ties directly to Cars, Inc. who picks up and/or arranges towing for the vehicle(s). Cars Inc. takes care of any title or DMV issues if necessary, and sells the vehicle(s) at auction or by other means. Once the vehicle is sold, your community receives 80% of the proceeds minus any expenses for towing, auction fees, etc. Cars, Inc. sends a check directly to MKP USA on behalf of your community. Donations worth more than $500 will receive a 1098C tax form for the donor to write off taxes if the donor provides a social security number.

Bob Oser in the Kentucky area has been running this program for several years. If you have questions, you can contact him at boboser@mkp.org. You can also contact Sultani Trip at communityassistant2@mkpusa.org for assistance.


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Kroger Family of Food and Convenience Stores Community Rewards

MKP Communities can receive funding as a percentage of the shopping of participating members and their families through their store rewards card(s). This can be setup and maintained by 1 man in the community, and requires less than/up to 1 hour per quarter for program maintenance for 1 man (send out email and other program reminder announcements encouraging participation, where to shop to benefit, and where to go to sign up).

How it Works:

Register your Area/Community/Center at the appropriate store/brand website for the brands that are in your area. You must register at your specific store/brand website for each brand in your area to have your Area as a registered charity for that store brand. Find the store brands for your area below. Then proceed to next step below to register with the particular store(s)/brand(s) that are in your Area.

    Specific Kroger brands list (by area):
Alabama Kroger
Alaska Fred Meyer
Arizona Fry’s Food & Drug, Fry’s Marketplace, Smith’s
Arkansas Kroger, Kroger Marketplace
California Food 4 Less, Foods Co., Ralphs
Colorado City Market, King Soopers, King Soopers Marketplace
Georgia Kroger
Idaho Fred Meyer, Smith’s
Illinois Food 4 Less, Kroger
Indiana Food 4 Less, Jay C, Kroger, Kroger Marketplace, Owen’s, Pay Less Super Markets, Scott’s, Ruler Foods
Kansas Dillons Food Stores, Dillons Marketplace
Kentucky Kroger, Kroger Marketplace
Louisiana Kroger
Michigan Kroger
Mississippi Kroger
Missouri Dillons Food Stores, Gerbes Super Markets, Kroger
Montana Smith’s
Nebraska Baker’s, Food 4 Less
Nevada Food 4 Less, Smith’s
New Mexico City Market, Price Rite, Smith’s
North Carolina Kroger
Ohio Kroger, Kroger Marketplace
Oregon Fred Meyer, QFC
South Carolina Kroger
Tennessee Kroger, Kroger Marketplace
Texas Kroger, Kroger Marketplace
Utah City Market, Smith’s, Smith’s Marketplace
Virginia Kroger
Washington Fred Meyer, QFC
West Virginia Kroger
Wyoming City Market, King Soopers, Smith’s

Below is a list of links to store/brand websites.  Choose the one(s) that apply to your area and register your community. You then use these links in your promotional materials for individuals to register their rewards shopping cards and link them to your Area. You will need to drive your constituents to the applicable website to register in order to have their purchases count towards your funding. Unfortunately, not all brands are offering a rewards program at this time. All are marked accordingly.

MKP Contacts for this program – Bob Oser (Kentucky) at boboser@mkp.org, or Sultani Trip (Los Angeles) at communityassistant2@mkpusa.org.


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Organizing and Executing a Fundraising Event/Dinner

See this link – http://causera.org/nonprofit-journal/hosting-a-glamorous-fundraiser-gala/ – for an excellent breakdown of the how’s, what’s, who’s, and where of organizing a successful event. The following are some additional guidelines and considerations:

Create a Committee

This needs to be set up 1 year to 10 months before your event date. An event like this takes time, planning, and coordination of some professional services, depending on how fancy you want to make the fundraiser. This type of event is very scalable and can be done in many different ways and levels. Per some Areas who have been successful with this type of fundraiser, they have done it with as little as a 5 person initial organizing committee. However, it is easier on everyone if you can form a larger committee to delegate various elements of the event and prevent anyone burning out. One thing to remember, this gets easier as you go. The first event you organize can take the most time and effort as it may be unfamiliar territory. This does get easier to put together in subsequent years and will take less overall man-hours to organize as you repeat, even if (and it is suggested you do this) you change the themes and elements of your event each year. Get a large enough committee (and some brothers with know-how, familiarity, and juice, to delegate different elements of the event so no one is overwhelmed. Decide the level of support your committee needs and ask your community and brothers for that support, creating smaller elements that are overseen by committee members. This is a great way to bring brothers together in community and Mission, creating something with the sum of their parts and roles. Creating spreadsheets and tracking tools can go a long way in assisting your organizing and knowing where each element’s progress is as you move forward. It is suggested the committee meet at least once a month for a first time ever event, then gauge the frequency of meeting for subsequent events as your community gets more familiar with planning and execution.

Preparing

Find a space that is the right size, atmosphere for the type of event you are organizing. This can be donated space through a Warrior Brother or other, but it is often necessary to budget and RESERVE renting a space that has all the elements you need.

  • Caterer – Are you having food/drink? This can be as grass roots as a potluck, chili cook-off, or other participant driven provision. Budgeting and RESERVING a caterer can bring a higher end element to your event and take much of the organizing and implementing of food (including clean up) off your Area’s plate. Some Areas have themed their catering to reflect Mission – like using healthy themed foods like smoothies, or vegetarian/vegan, or even cultural or world food themes from different parts of the world.
  • Sound System/Entertainment – Are you making announcements? Giving Awards? Holding a Live Auction during your event?
  • Decorations – What atmosphere are you creating? Simple and Fun? Or High End Banquet and Fun? How much do you need to do to enhance the space you’ve chosen to reflect MKP and Mission as a worthy cause to Fund?
  • Equipment/Supplies – This will depend on the first two elements above. Does the space have all the tables and chairs you need? Is the Caterer providing his own serving and cooking equipment, dishware and utensils for you guests, table are table centerpieces in order? Party Rental businesses can take care of many of these needs for you, but it is wise to research the cost and budget for it, and RESERVE the things you’ll need in advance.

Ideas for raising Money from your Event:

  • Ticket Sales – It is suggested to have men at the door to check-in guests and sell tickets to last minute guests. Having some card readers for smartphones will allow men to process ticket sales at the event and also process other payments – for instance if you run a Live or Silent Auction (available for free from places like Paypal, Square-https://squareup.com/reader, Intuit- http://payments.intuit.com/mobile-credit-card-processing/, and others).
  • Silent Auction – Get products and services donated through local businesses and Warrior Brothers (amusement parks, zoos, and other entertainment based business are often happy to donate free passes, perhaps some brothers have a hobby creating art or products you did not know about, for example).  You can also connect these offerings with Mission in many cases and it allows everyone to get to know other aspects of their Warrior Brothers through their donations. As mentioned above, having credit card readers for smartphones allows you to process payments on site and everyone can leave the event with their “prize” that night, all paid for. This can save the added step of tracking down winners and getting payment. It is good to get information on the actual value of each product/service being offered to help people understand the value of what they are bidding on.
  • Live Auction – This would require an Auctioneer (a personable and entertaining Warrior Brother?). Again, gathering products and services from local businesses and Warrior Brothers on donation. You could use some of the higher end or more desirable products or services you gather for the silent auction for a Live Auction segment of the evening. Expensive bottles of wine, electronics, unusual, or fun services (a canoeing or kayaking adventure, dinner for two at a local restaurant) are some suggestions.
  • 50/50 Raffle – 50/50 Raffles can be an easy and quick way to raise some funds. Sell raffle tickets for whatever amount you choose (.50, $1, $2) and put 50 percent into a pot for the winner. The other half goes to MKP. You can also use a high end product of service as the prize, or extra prizes for runners-up. This is scalable and fueled by your creative ideas.

More Ideas to make your event Fun and have people looking forward to next year:

  • Awards Ceremony – Areas will sometimes roll their awards ceremonies into the evening, honoring brothers in the community who have donated time and energy to the MKP community and the community at large. Keeping it respectful and in good taste, you could think of some Fun, Joking, or Entertaining Categories as well.  Also, inviting men and women from outside the MKP community (politicians, the mayor, local celebrities, community leaders, artists, etc) who you may feel are living their Mission and award their contribution to the community and their sense of Mission, can help bring in more guests from outside the MKP community and showcase MKP to your local community at large. Do some research on who’s doing great work behind the scenes with their notoriety and who might be that silent hero making the world a safer and better place for us all.
  • Children’s Activities and Fun Community-based Activities – Are you encouraging the event for the whole family, or is it more high-end adult oriented? If you are encouraging everyone to bring the kids, you can consider having a Kid’s Coordinator on the committee to plan a fun event or two at your event. Things like an Art table or craft projects, sing-a-longs, creating thank you cards, or a drum circle, which can include everyone. There may be music stores, a Remo drum store or outlet near you that can provide drums and a drum circle facilitator to guide the Fun if you don’t have a brother in the community who can help with this. Be Creative and have Fun with this part! Ask your kids for ideas as well as tap into other kid’s event planners at local boys and girls clubs, schools, and community services. This may be a way to partner with another manufacturer (like Remo or Art supply house) or community service provider for exposure who would be willing to donate time, services, and products for the event.


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Staffing a Concession Stand at a larger event

This may take 4-5 men donating their time for an evening. Research medium to large venues in your Area (google search your prominent venues as a good start). Places where your professional sports teams play, medium to large concerts are held, special events like Golf Tournaments, etc. In some urban Areas, there may be several of these venues.

How it Works:

Visit the venue website and research the name of the Concessions/Catering Company that runs/oversees the Concessions for that venue. If necessary, contact the venue to get contact information. These companies often have programs in place that allow for a non-profit group to staff one of their concession stands for a split of what is sold that evening (per other Areas, usually somewhere around 8% of the night’s sales or .30 per item sold). All products and space is provided by the concessions. All that is required is men to staff.

MKP Contact man – David Katz (Metro NY Area) at dkatzlaw@gmail.com.


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Raffle a Harley Davidson (or other recreational vehicle, even a car)

This can generate $10k to $20k for your Area (based on a Harley Davidson motorcycle), depending on the type of vehicle you choose to raffle.

How it Works:

State law governs the raffle. You have to take a look at the laws in the jurisdiction where the organization is legally organized. For example, in California the local Area had to register with the state Attorney General’s office and pay a $20 fee. Upon approval, they will receive a letter confirming registration that includes a raffle permit number and expiration date. The Area must also send in a NonProfit Raffle Report for all raffles held during the registration year, which runs from September 1 – August 31.

Figure out the type of vehicle or fun machine you think would go over the best in your area (warmer areas might raffle a motorcycle, colder areas a high end snowmobile, other areas perhaps a car or an RV motorhome or trailer). Price the cost of the model you are going to offer in your raffle. You don’t necessarily have to purchase the actual vehicle up front (though it may be helpful in showing it at events and putting it on display). Just know your costs up front (within a close range) as this will give you an idea of how many tickets you will offer and at what price.

For example, a Harley Davidson motorcycle ranges in cost somewhere in the low $16,000 to low $20,000 range and more (depending on the model you choose). Based on this price range, Areas are selling 400 tickets at $100 per ticket for a Harley Davidson Raffle (or 1,000 tickets at $40 each). Raffle tickets cost about .10 cents each. This can net the Area $10k to $20k by end of raffle. You can also offer 2nd and 3rd places prices of $1,500 and $750 (cash, gas cards or gift cards).

This is a great community outreach tool! You will need to sell tickets outside the immediate MKP community to be successful. Enlist Warrior Brothers who (in the case of a motorcycle) ride regularly, belong to a club or riding group. Find community events and local motorcycle clubs (or other clubs/groups associated with the vehicle you are raffling) to promote your raffle. Use these promotions as outreach opportunities to let men know about your MKP Community and Mission.

MKP Contact – Scott Ryder (San Diego) – scottryder210@gmail.com. Scott is currently running a Harley Davidson Raffle in San Diego. He may be able to answer questions and help you create a successful raffle.

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