The Bulldog Foundation Fund Drive is held annually in the spring for four weeks. During this concentrated time, volunteers working under the "team concept" strive to renew the pledges of current members and solicit new pledge donors. In a spirit of competition, the players solicit funds to be used for all annual, pre/post, medical hardship, summer and out-of-state scholarships.
The Team Concept
Based upon the National Football League, teams are established under two conferences and two commissioners. Team owners are assigned, usually from previous participation, who in turn select the volunteers who comprise their team "players". The teams are given the names of the pro football teams.
Fund Drive Events
Events are held during the drive to further contact between teams and to promote enthusiasm toward continued success. At the end of the drive, recognition is given for outstanding achievement by team and individuals. The following sections hold explanations of Fund Drive events:
- Team Owner Dinner
- Orientation Sessions
- Fund Drive Kickoff Dinner
- Report Sessions
- Celebration Banquet
Preparation
Team Owners from the previous year are contacted and asked if they wish to, again, head a team for the Scholarship Fund Drive. The Scholarship Fund Drive Vice President serves as the Chairperson and selects the two Conference Commissioners, with the assistance of the Executive Director. Team rosters are submitted to the BDF office and players are then entered into the computer by teams. Player numbers are assigned and a master roll is prepared. Letters of welcome are sent to each Team Owner and player outlining the upcoming events.
Summary Of Team Concept Of Fund Raising
Team Concept utilizes a Fund Drive Chairperson, two Commissioners in charge of two conferences of several teams each. The number of teams is dependent upon the number of volunteers helping in Fund Drive. There could be a Fund Drive with just two teams competing, eliminating the need for Commissioners. Each team has a Team Owner who oversees the progress of his/her team. Each Commissioner oversees the Team Owners in his/her conference. The Fund Drive Chairperson oversees the two Commissioners.
The volunteers are either drafted, assigned or selected to teams. There are weekly Report Sessions which keep the interest peaked and the results (or lack of results) right in the face of all the volunteers showing who is doing well and motivating those who aren't into some kind of action. There is a kick-off function to start and a Celebration function to end the drive. There are Incentive Awards for certain goals for reaching certain levels of pledges.
The Team Concept works well in athletic fund raising because most of the volunteers are competitive type folks interested in sports. However, it can be used very effectively for any cause if the volunteers have a sense of purpose and achievement.
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Fund Drive BBQ
Fresno State coaches and Fund Drive team officials (Commissioners, Team Owners, Captains and Past Presidents) meet for dinner to outline and kick off the upcoming drive.
Orientation Session
Orientation Sessions are mandatory for both new "rookies" to the drive and for "veteran" players. The first 30 minutes is devoted to new information concerning this particular year's fund drive effort. Veterans can then leave, while the new players continue to be oriented in pledge levels, completing pledge cards, solicitation procedures and donor benefits. Orientation Sessions are helpful in assuring detailed explanation of the drive and related procedures to those players who have never before participated. One orientation is conducted the same night as the kick-off dinner.
Player information packets are distributed consisting of: Fund Drive Team Goals, Membership Roster, Renewal Pledge Cards, New Donor Pledge Cards, Membership Brochures, Fund Drive Procedures, Q & A Information sheets, Matching Gift Background and Prior-Year Membership Listing.
Kick-off Dinner
The Kick-off Dinner is for the benefit of Team Officials, Team Owners, Players, Coaches and Administrators. Letters of invitation are mailed out, well in advance, with a request for R.S.V.P. in order to have an accurate count for the caterer. The evening includes a complimentary dinner.
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Report Sessions
Report Sessions are organized for the purpose of turning in pledges, secured by the team players, during the Scholarship Fund Drive. The same site is reserved from 5 to 7 p.m., on Thursdays, beginning the Thursday following the Kickoff Dinner. Individual team player printouts are grouped by teams and used to record incoming pledges. Volunteers record pledges on the tally sheets. Coaches are encouraged to stop by the reporting sessions. Hosted hors d' oeuvres and a cash bar are available so that volunteers can socialize while dropping off their pledge cards.
These weekly sessions allow staff to measure the actual incoming pledge amounts against the drive goal and that information against the same period in previous years. A weekly newsletter providing progress updates is mailed each Friday of the fund drive.
Celebration Dinner
Following the Scholarship Fund Drive, the University President hosts a catered banquet to recognize the players who assisted in the drive. Players are eligible for a variety of incentives according to pledge dollars raised if they bring in at least $500 in new memberships.
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