Fundraising For Rescues?

CJnBucksMom · 08-26-2009, 11:20 PM

As most of you know, over the past couple of months I've taken in a few rescues. Rescue work has been my biggest joy. I love seeing them get better every day. However, now that I also have a stallion to promote I'm having to use extra money to show etc. I decided I needed a way to help support the rescues and keep the ability to take in more if needed if I can bare to place some of my others when the time comes. So, I came up with the following ideas and I need some input.

Part of each breeding fee for my stallion goes toward rescue items such as their special feed and supplements, items I may need for their retraining, vet bills, gelding, etc.

I also needed some more ideas so I came up with baking and selling my own horse treats. The insurance to do so was minimal and all of the other requirements were already in place since my mom also bakes as a side business. Now the question is, how do I market these things? They look great and taste great (according to the horses, and my husband...weirdo

) but I need to get the word out there. I'm putting a page up on my web site but where else should I spread the word? Local feed stores obviously but any other places? I know the internet is a great resource but for this kind of stuff I'm not sure where to go. Any ideas would be great.

I'm still coming up with flavor ideas etc. but have the majority of things in place and have already baked a few batches, gotten packaging, labels and taken pictures. Soooo what's next?

nicz2cu · 08-27-2009, 05:37 PM

I would hit the horse events with small samples to pass out and of course , some to sell.

Good Luck

lbhugg · 08-27-2009, 08:08 PM

You can offer them at horse shows and donate them as awards just a small sample and put your card in the bag. Other fundraisers our area does is trail rides, motorcycle rides. I would say just get the word out there as much as possible put before and after pics and where to send the donations

tallyho143 · 08-28-2009, 04:45 AM

etsy.com has a section for animals......try there...
also, localequineresources.com although i don't know how local YOU are to this site, but something like the treats could easily be shipped, so it might work......
can you take a "gift basket" to local boarding stables?........be sure to put a big label as to ingredients, so folks with horses on special diets will feel informed...........4-h meetings?......
if you can get a vendor booth at local horse shows, dog shows......you should be able to get one for free......put up pics of the rescues, short stories about them,so folks feel connected to the horses....raffle off baskets full of horse supplies, with the ticket cost going to support the rescue.....and sell your treats as well....
good luck......great thing you are doing!

Zypheir's Ring · 08-28-2009, 12:34 PM

I'm thinking a calender with before and after rescue pictures for each month would be a cool idea.

Good way to raise money.

CJnBucksMom · 08-28-2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zypheir's Ring

I'm thinking a calender with before and after rescue pictures for each month would be a cool idea.

Good way to raise money.

Oh! I like that idea! I'm headed to cafepress to try one out. Anyone know of any place online that does them somewhat cheaper? Cafepress is great but gets expensive.

Zypheir's Ring · 08-28-2009, 07:42 PM

Here is another place, not sure what is cheaper though.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/CalOverview.jsp

lbhugg · 08-28-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Oh! I like that idea! I'm headed to cafepress to try one out. Anyone know of any place online that does them somewhat cheaper? Cafepress is great but gets expensive.

I would see if you have anyone in the area that does calenders and see if they may donate or get you a discounted price

Cowgirly · 09-02-2009, 10:07 PM

I have been involved in a number of rescues, helping with promotions and such. Every rescue really struggles for funds- you have a great idea for marketing your treats, and people do like to get something for money they give (it's easier to get donations when you give something to folks).

You might also consider locating a rescue in your area that you can work with or through to raise funds. Meaning, if there is a local rescue talk to them about working together to raise funds and them helping supoort your efforts. If you find a nonprofit it is much easier to get donations- they could even have a name for your 'program'. It's a win win because they get free promotion and you get some assistance and backing. And we're all working toward the same goal anyhow, right?

Huntseat123 · 09-03-2009, 04:42 AM

I don't knwo if you know this.. but I board my horse at a rescue farm. I'm sure we are a bit larger than you (currently 33 rescue horses on farm), but I know and understand the financial aspect of it.

Try www.iGive.com Its a website that you log into to purchase things offline from other websites. By using iGive these other websites will donate a portion of the money spent to you. (includes amazon, state line tack, best buy, etc) I would give it a try, just tell all your friends and family how to use it.

08-26-2009, 11:20 PM	#1
CJnBucksMom Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tenntucky Posts: 1,109 Images: 127	Fundraising For Rescues? As most of you know, over the past couple of months I've taken in a few rescues. Rescue work has been my biggest joy. I love seeing them get better every day. However, now that I also have a stallion to promote I'm having to use extra money to show etc. I decided I needed a way to help support the rescues and keep the ability to take in more if needed if I can bare to place some of my others when the time comes. So, I came up with the following ideas and I need some input. Part of each breeding fee for my stallion goes toward rescue items such as their special feed and supplements, items I may need for their retraining, vet bills, gelding, etc. I also needed some more ideas so I came up with baking and selling my own horse treats. The insurance to do so was minimal and all of the other requirements were already in place since my mom also bakes as a side business. Now the question is, how do I market these things? They look great and taste great (according to the horses, and my husband...weirdo ) but I need to get the word out there. I'm putting a page up on my web site but where else should I spread the word? Local feed stores obviously but any other places? I know the internet is a great resource but for this kind of stuff I'm not sure where to go. Any ideas would be great. I'm still coming up with flavor ideas etc. but have the majority of things in place and have already baked a few batches, gotten packaging, labels and taken pictures. Soooo what's next? __________________ Official Member of the 'My Husband is Hot Club' 'Real Stallions Wear Pink' Sexy by ChristmasChallenge-r!! Goal: 19 lbs LOST CURRENT: 1 lbs LOST

08-27-2009, 05:37 PM	#2
nicz2cu Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Georgia USA Posts: 2,285 Images: 53	I would hit the horse events with small samples to pass out and of course , some to sell. Good Luck __________________ God Bless the Whole Herd

09-02-2009, 10:07 PM	#9
Cowgirly Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Western Washingon Posts: 1,711 Images: 363	I have been involved in a number of rescues, helping with promotions and such. Every rescue really struggles for funds- you have a great idea for marketing your treats, and people do like to get something for money they give (it's easier to get donations when you give something to folks). You might also consider locating a rescue in your area that you can work with or through to raise funds. Meaning, if there is a local rescue talk to them about working together to raise funds and them helping supoort your efforts. If you find a nonprofit it is much easier to get donations- they could even have a name for your 'program'. It's a win win because they get free promotion and you get some assistance and backing. And we're all working toward the same goal anyhow, right? __________________ "I've been Gobbled by Thom Turkey!!! www.cowgirly.net equine designs for all disciplines

09-03-2009, 04:42 AM	#10
Huntseat123 Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Highland, MI Posts: 6,943 Images: 468 Blog Entries: 5	I don't knwo if you know this.. but I board my horse at a rescue farm. I'm sure we are a bit larger than you (currently 33 rescue horses on farm), but I know and understand the financial aspect of it. Try www.iGive.com Its a website that you log into to purchase things offline from other websites. By using iGive these other websites will donate a portion of the money spent to you. (includes amazon, state line tack, best buy, etc) I would give it a try, just tell all your friends and family how to use it. __________________ Amidst a conversation about her past as an established equestrian, we drove by a wonderful barn filled with horses. I watched as she swiftly unrolled her window and took a deep breath through her nose, letting the sweet aroma fill her lungs. A true horsewoman, I thought. R.M. Photography

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08-27-2009, 08:08 PM	#3
lbhugg Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 534 Images: 9	You can offer them at horse shows and donate them as awards just a small sample and put your card in the bag. Other fundraisers our area does is trail rides, motorcycle rides. I would say just get the word out there as much as possible put before and after pics and where to send the donations

08-28-2009, 04:45 AM	#4
tallyho143 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 27	etsy.com has a section for animals......try there... also, localequineresources.com although i don't know how local YOU are to this site, but something like the treats could easily be shipped, so it might work...... can you take a "gift basket" to local boarding stables?........be sure to put a big label as to ingredients, so folks with horses on special diets will feel informed...........4-h meetings?...... if you can get a vendor booth at local horse shows, dog shows......you should be able to get one for free......put up pics of the rescues, short stories about them,so folks feel connected to the horses....raffle off baskets full of horse supplies, with the ticket cost going to support the rescue.....and sell your treats as well.... good luck......great thing you are doing!