MEMBERS MEAN MONEY: Perhaps most important of all, don't forget NOW Membership Drives. Since National NOW only requires $15 of a new members' dues, getting memberships for your chapter can be a major source of revenue. Just as you should always think of fundraising when you're planning any event, also don't overlook the simple strategy of always having membership applications for every activist to carry with her/him, and of simply asking others to join NOW. Remember: A new member has the potential to keep giving time and money! (For more information, request a copy of Membership 101.)

EVENT FUNDRAISING: Some ideas for event fund-raising include having participants signing-up sponsors on a per mile or point basis for a local march, 10K run, walk-a-thon, softball tournament, or bowl-a-thon. If there are sympathetic artists in your area, you can put on a benefit concert or play, as well as host feminist book sales and art shows or auctions. Many chapters have various types of parties with location, food, and beverages donated. Another fun idea is for local eateries to donate food or desserts and charge admission to taste the variety of food (for example, an all-chocolate party). Use the march's international flavor as a theme for your fundraising events.

Make a banner you'll carry with you at the march and get donations from local folks to sign the banner so their names will "go" with you to the event. Be creative with your banner. Perhaps your chapter or state could sell patches, and carry a patchwork banner to the march. After the march, you can auction off the banner.

If you're signing-up people for buses to the march, calculate the price per person and raise it $5 or $10. This is a great way to raise money for "bus scholarships" or other organizing expenses.

PRODUCT FUNDRAISING: Selling products like buttons, bumper stickers and t-shirts can be a great way to raise money and spread the word about the march. In addition, you should try to get the names and addresses at the time of sale. For instance, have a petition available at all sales tables, which is a great source of new members and activists. The NOW Store has lots of great products available at a discount to chapters and states. Please contact Stefanie Richards (extension 103 or e-mail products@now.org)for more information.

Another product idea is to sell arm bands on a holiday as a reminder of certain important issues. For example, your chapter might want to sell red arm bands on Valentine's Day as a symbol of hate crimes. Armbands can also be signed by people who cannot attend the march (see the banner idea above). Activists who will attend the march can wear the armbands of those who cannot.

COMMERCIAL FUNDRAISING: Selling non-issue related products or services is another option to raise funds. It should be well-publicized that the fundraising effort is for NOW, and be sure to have NOW information -- including membership materials -- on hand. Some ideas that have done well in the past are selling local dining, movie or entertainment coupon books (ask members and businesses to donate or discount items; like flowers, dinners, cleaning services or anything worth money), and yard sales.

Auctions or raffles with donated items can also bring in revenue, especially if they're repeated year after year and folks watch for them. In some communities, companies will collaborate with non-profit groups to sell art at auction. The company usually provides the art, auctioneer, tickets and auction book, while the non-profit is responsible for the location, volunteers, selling tickets, soliciting ads and other donations. Generally, the chapter gets a commission on the art sales and also gets to keep all ticket and ad monies.

Chapters members also might enjoy a "service auction" where members pay for services or tangibles donated by other members. For example, if you like to cook and someone in the chapter lists that they'd like a catered dinner for two, they pay the chapter and you cook them dinner. Popular items might include overnights/weekends at lake cottages, gardening chores, sewing/mending tasks, or even helping to calculate tax returns.

DIRECT SOLICITATION FUNDRAISING: Some people have more money than time. They are more likely to give you money for your work if you tell them how much you need and what it will be used for. Draw up a list of examples of your chapter's march organizing costs -- stamps for a mailing, printing of fliers, ads in the community or alternative newspapers. Give people the option of selecting what "item" they'd like to pay for. (Wish lists can also work wonders -- advertising for someone to donate the cost of one bus to Washington may very well get you one.) Folks are more likely to give you something if they know you really need it and will put it to good use.

SUMMARY: Successful fundraising is mostly a matter of attitude, planning and practice. It is an important tool in developing leadership, mobilizing membership for action, increasing chapter visibility and ensuring a healthy, active chapter. The key to fundraising is remembering to ask for money -- always. Over time, you will find that fundraising becomes easier and more predictable.

Good luck!