The July 24-30, 2009 edition of the Denver Business Journal (page A7) had an article by Bob Mook, “Nonprofits hope to win big with high-stakes raffles.”  The article describes how many nonprofits are trying what he terms a go-for-broke fundraising strategy in these tough economic times through the use of high-stakes raffles. 

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver is organizing the Rocky Mountain Home Raffle.  Participants can win a ski home in Keystone, a loft in LoDo, or $1 million cash.  Tickets are $100 each and the number of tickets to be sold is limited to 27,500.  For a limited time, they are offering a buy a 3-pack of tickets for $275 or a 10-pack of tickets for $800 and SAVE.  To date, however, they have sold only 3,500 tickets but the grand prize drawing is not until late September so they remain hoeful they will sell out.  Early ticket purchasers are put in early drawings to collect prizes ranging from $1, 000 to $20,000, as well.  Guess you need to keep your fingers crossed NOT to win one of those as it probably decreases your chances of cashing in on the BIG prize!

The website states, “Your $100 helps Boys & Girls Clubs to build caring, responsible citizens and create a positive place, full of hope and opportunity, for every child and …enters you in the raffle to win a stunning dream home or $1,000,000 CASH. The Grand Prize Winner selects either the $1,000,000 Ski Home, the $1,000,000 Denver Loft or $1,000,000 CASH. Thousands of dollars in additional cash prizes will be awarded in Special Early and Multiple Ticket-Buyer Drawings. Your odds of winning a prize are at least 1 in 200, depending on the number of tickets sold.”

Even if all 27,500 tickets are sold in the 10 packs – that would mean $2.2 million raised.  Not sure how much of that has to go out in expenses but that is a nice chunk of change to work with, nonetheless.   And the odds of 1 in 200 seem much better than the Colorado Lottery!  My friend bought a ten pack and I bought myself a ticket, as well – why don’t you join us and support the Boys and Girls Clubs?  You can put three additional names on each ticket purchased, so this could be a nice gift for employee recognition purposes – maybe to honor their volunetering in the community!

The DBJ articles also gives tips for nonprofits considering running raffles of their own on the legalities involved.  I knew running a raffle required a special license but I did not know the organization needs to have been in operation 5 years to be eligible.  So be sure to do your research before jumping into the deep end of the pool!

In last Thursday’s Denver Post, StyleFile Column had a story, “Strike a Pose.”  Upscale women’s retailer, Mariel, on Larimer Square in downtown Denver, is teaming up with 303 Magazine and Volunteers of America for a promotion in which a $50 donation to VOA gives you a portrait on a commemorative magazine cover and refreshments, entertainment and a shopping opportunity.  The event will be held Wednesday and Thursday, July 29 and 30th 4-9pm.  Donations support Volunteers of America’s Brandon Center, Colorado’s largest homeless shelter for women and their children.

So perusing the 303 Magazine website, I could find no mention of this fun promotion so that is a missed opportunity for them!  On the page, “this month’s events” the latest thing listed was in 2008 so clearly they need a website update ASAP!  Mariel does not appear to have their own website.  But Volunteers of America has a page giving the event details and links to sign up and pay.

Sounds like fun and it is definitely for a good cause!  Gets Mariel, 303, and VOA all good exposure in the community as well so win-win-win!!

I just made my 8th loan (this time to a female entrepreneur in Mongolia) using a revolutionary new website called Kiva (www.kiva.org).

You can go to Kiva’s website and lend to someone across the globe who needs a loan for their business – like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks.  Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent – and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is going.
  
The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back – and Kiva’s loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.

One of the things I really enjoy is getting the monthly update email from Kiva which tells the status of my microloan repayments.  This month, I had $17.66 payed back and I decided to reinvest it in another entrepreneur, which I did.  My loan selection criteria is as follows.  My first choice is a female entrepreneur in a country where I have spent time, usually a solopreneur, where I can easily see how the loan will increase her ability to expand her business and help support her family. To date I have made loans to 5 women in Peru, 1 in Pakistan, and 1 in Samoa – all places I have been.

So, I just made a loan to an entrepreneur named Otgonbat Tseesuren in Mongolia, a place I have not yet been.  They still need another $2,025.00 to complete their loan request of $2,775.00 (you can loan as little as $25.00!).  Help me get this entrepreneur off the ground by clicking on the link below to make a loan to Otgonbat Tseesuren too:

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=125293

It’s finally easy to actually do something about poverty – using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they’re using it for.  And most of all, I know that I’m helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.

Join me in changing the world – one loan at a time.

Thanks!

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What others are saying about www.Kiva.org:

‘Revolutionising how donors and lenders in the US are connecting with small entrepreneurs in developing countries.’
– BBC

‘If you’ve got 25 bucks, a PC and a PayPal account, you’ve now got the wherewithal to be an international financier.’
– CNN Money

‘Smaller investors can make loans of as little as $25 to specific individual entrepreneurs through a service launched last fall by Kiva.org.’
– The Wall Street Journal

‘An inexpensive feel-good investment opportunity…All loaned funds go directly to the applicants, and most loans are repaid in full.’
– Entrepreneur Magazine