Ideas for Successful World Breastfeeding Week Fundraisers and Events

With the new World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) 2008 logo and theme already set, it’s a good time to think about what worked for this year’s WBW events. World Breastfeeding Week serves at least two purposes: (1) fundraising and (2) promoting breastfeeding awareness (not necessarily in that order!)

Fundraising Opportunities

La Leche League offers a list of fundraising ideas. In my area, five La Leche League groups worked together to plan a WBW walk, bike ride, and potluck lunch for a Saturday in August. One person volunteered to coordinate all the activities, one person took charge of the finances for the day, and several people volunteered for individual tasks and contributions. In addition to collecting pledges and filing the WBW paperwork for one group, I was in charge of contacting the police and city park officials to notify them of our gathering and walk. Because we planned to walk on the sidewalk and not on the street, we didn’t need a permit.

The day incorporated several fundraising opportunities:
~ pledges for the walk
~ pledges for the bike ride
~ a silent auction for donated goods
~ ticket sales for drawings to win donated baskets with various themes (goodies from a local bakery, clothing from a particular manufacturer, etc. — some of the items were donated by members of the LLL groups, some were donated by local businesses)
~ ticket sales for a 50-50 drawing (half the ticket sale money went to the winner, half went into the fundraising pot)
~ a masseuse offered 10-minute massages for a small fee and donated some of the money

Awareness Opportunities

~ the walk: people were asked to bring homemade signs in addition to the LLL banners
~ the bike ride
~ the potluck gathering in the park
~ local press: members of the planning committee contacted the local media in advance, so the event got positive press in both the local newspaper and on the 6 o’clock television news!

Other Activities

~ musicians: one of the members tapped her relatives to be the entertainment for the event!
~ free car seat inspections by a police officer

The silent auction and ticket sales for the baskets and 50-50 drawings brought in $550 on the day of the event. The individual LLL groups collected their own pledges, and the group to which I belong raised a total of $140 in pledges. While more money might have been raised had the five groups each held separate WBW events, there was a lot to be said for collaborating. The turnout of over 100 people made an impressive show for the walk and the local media. Holding one community event also helped build fellowship and camaraderie.

In summary, if you are going to be planning a breastfeeding fundraising and awareness event, tap the resources of your group. Is someone a small business owner (willing to make a donation or offer a service?), a musician, a public figure? Does someone have contacts with the media? Special talent for designing t-shirts or taking pictures for the event? Each person has something special to bring to the event, be it time, talent, goods, or all three!

What are your ideas for fundraising and breastfeeding awareness? What has worked for your local breastfeeding advocacy group?