Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:03:57 -0500 From: Laurie Wermter <lwermter@library.wisc.edu> Subject: Re: Museum visitor sign in log and donation container Message-id: <4A369B1D.3060101@library.wisc.edu>
I know that $15 is a _lot_ for me. You know
the people in your community, so perhaps it
is fair to characterize that size of a
donation as "a lousy $15."
To turn things around,however, perhaps there
are some different fundraising ideas for
renovation campaigns that could be tried by
your group?
I think that usually people in a community
will respond well to a new approach for a
good cause (such as a simple, fun
get-together where they can make their
donation). Maybe get some ideas from the
type of fundraisers used by political
campaigns--a lot of the people raising money
for political campaigns are bursting with
great ideas that are low-cost, effective and
fun for the contributors. A campaign
fundraiser might actually be flattered to be
consulted about your museum's needs. (I've
watched workshops on C-SPAN given by
political fundraisers and thought of many of
their ideas that I could even implement their
suggestions!)
Regards,
Laurie Wermter
Wisconsin Labor History Society
lwermter@library.wisc.edu
Monette Bebow-Reinhard wrote:
> We have membership too but the subscriptions have come to a virtual
> standstill. Oh yes, the town is all behind us renovating this museum,
> but only a few have gotten behind it with a lousy $15. Most people on
> my list are outatowners.
>
>
>
> Do you give membership benefits?
>
>
>
> Monette
>
> Oconto Archaic Copper Museum
>
>
>
> *From:* localhistory-request@listserve.uwec.edu
> [mailto:localhistory-request@listserve.uwec.edu] *On Behalf Of *Paul Wolter
> *Sent:* Tuesday, June 09, 2009 10:03 PM
> *To:* localhistory@listserve.uwec.edu
> *Subject:* Re: Museum visitor sign in log and donation container
>
>
>
> This is kind of related to the donation jar discussion...but the best
> thing we ever did was make membership categories above just basic. Our
> basic individual membership is $20 (don't sell yourself short here
> either...the cinema these days is roughly half of that!) and then we
> have a family membership at $35 and then other categories like Friend -
> $50, Supporting - $100, Patron - $250...right on up to $5,000+
>
>
>
> We don't give any coffee mugs or mouse pads or anything special to the
> upper levels. They just get their name in a different category in the
> newsletter list of new and renewed members. (we do invite our $100 and
> up members to a special Christmas social)
>
>
>
> We discovered that people will almost never fill in a membership form as
> a basic member ($20) and fill in the "Donation" line with an extra $80.
> What they will do however is sign up at the $100 level because it is
> there and there a little box to check next to it. It has worked like a
> charm for us.
>
>
>
> If you can come up with incentives all the better I guess but we have
> not found a need. Plus some people are turned off by the "free" gift you
> are sending to them at upper levels when we all know that it cost
> something. (money which many people would rather see put to good use in
> the organization)
>
>
>
> Another point while I am on the subject...you must have an aggressive
> membership retention program (i.e. renewal letters, thank you for
> joining letters etc.) If they don't respond to a membership renewal
> letter the first time, try it again in a few months. If they don't
> respond after a year drop them off your list and for heaven's sake don't
> give away newsletters to people that aren't in relatively good
> standing. They'll never renew if there getting the newsletter for free
> anyway.
>
>
>
> Donation boxes are great but you must tell visitors that donations are
> greatly appreciated. Don't expect too many people to give just because
> it's there. We all have to be unafraid to ask. Also push membership at
> that time.
>
>
>
> Paul Wolter
>
> Sauk County Historical Society
>
-- Regards,Laurie Wermter lwermter@library.wisc.edu
“Joy from Truth’s own glass of fire Sweetly on the Searcher smiles; Lest on Virtue’s steeps she tire, Joy the tedious path beguiles.”
[from “Hymn to Joy” by Friedrich Schiller, 1759-1805]