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Post by craines10 on Jun 29, 2013 22:07:05 GMT -6
How do you get a donation out of an alumni who has NO affiliation with the current football staff. As a matter of fact it may be only 10 total teachers and administrators still in the building who were there when he attended our school. I am not one of them. This fella is in the NFL and he graduated from our school I believe in 2004. We have an administrator who is close to him but in our many conversations when I mention fund raising and getting to know alumni he never suggests this individual. I have somewhat of a connection to him, he is the same age as my youngest brother and he is "friends" with them...to the point of they speak to him when he is in town. So I have been apprehensive about trying to get them to get in touch with him. But even if I get to speak with him how do I ask him to contribute to the football program? We are struggling financially, we only had enough money to get a new set of home game jerseys. We need pants and about 10-15 helmets due to the large number of freshmen showing up to workouts so far this summer. So what do I do?
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Post by wingtol on Jun 30, 2013 8:26:51 GMT -6
Well I would start with... "Hey we are looking to get _______ any chance you could help us out with that?"
Just ask. This may sound stupid but just because he is in the league doesn't mean he is oozing money (maybe you know better but being in the outside looking in I wanted to mention this) so I would pick and choose what to go for if that is the case.
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Post by coachd5085 on Jun 30, 2013 11:14:34 GMT -6
Well I would start with... "Hey we are looking to get _______ any chance you could help us out with that?" Just ask. This may sound stupid but just because he is in the league doesn't mean he is oozing money (maybe you know better but being in the outside looking in I wanted to mention this) so I would pick and choose what to go for if that is the case. I agree with both statements. I know it sounds ridiculous, but even guys making a million a year aren't oozing with money. Pretty close to half of that goes to taxes. Then there is the agents 10%, and any manager and add the fact that that level of income doesn't last very long....
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Post by craines10 on Jun 30, 2013 19:10:51 GMT -6
Thanks Coaches!
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Post by Coach Bennett on Jul 3, 2013 8:12:00 GMT -6
But even if I get to speak with him how do I ask him to contribute to the football program? ... So what do I do? Instead of going for his wallet, how about explaining where your program is at and how you could really use his influence to help with fundraising. If he's an NFL guy, use that name recognition for auctions, golf tournaments, program cards, whatever. Maybe along the way he'll decide to put some of his own chips in.
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Post by steelbuns on Jul 3, 2013 9:13:52 GMT -6
I would ask him if he can show up at practice and help you coach your kids.
Cheers Marc
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mcrsa75
Sophomore Member
Posts: 116
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Post by mcrsa75 on Jul 3, 2013 11:36:23 GMT -6
Coach, WHY should he give to your program? What distinguishes your football program from others?
Too often, the community feels likes former players who have made it big can or should give back. You can not assume that this former player possesses a favorable attitude toward the high school. I am willing to bet that this former player has been asked by the little league, park, churches or various other community entities to "give back". You would just be the next person in line to hit him up for a donation. I am quite sure that he is probably tired of it (former NFL players have told me this).
I would be creative in terms of finding ways to motivate him to WANT to be involved in the program (coach, motivational speaker, mentor). Once he becomes an integral component of your program, he can possibly influence other entities (other pro players, NFL) to take an interest in your program. Also, before reaching out to him for financial assistance, you should evaluate the effectiveness of your current fundraising efforts (carwash, golf tournaments, candy sales, etc...). I believe that people may be more receptive to requests for financial assistance if they can actually see you making an effort to assist yourself.
Just my thoughts.
MCRSA75
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2013 16:25:29 GMT -6
Well I would start with... "Hey we are looking to get _______ any chance you could help us out with that?" Just ask. This may sound stupid but just because he is in the league doesn't mean he is oozing money (maybe you know better but being in the outside looking in I wanted to mention this) so I would pick and choose what to go for if that is the case. I agree with both statements. I know it sounds ridiculous, but even guys making a million a year aren't oozing with money. Pretty close to half of that goes to taxes. Then there is the agents 10%, and any manager and add the fact that that level of income doesn't last very long.... Then they have everybody and their brother hitting them up for cash because everyone assumes they're made of money... Seriously though, the least you can do is ask. There's no harm in it if you do it in a respectful way. Introduce yourself and maybe butter him up by talking about how he's set such a great example for the kids and they want to be like him, explain the situation to him, say you're looking for donations from former players (make sure to phrase it this way and not as a "I know you're made of money, so give some to me" type of thing) and ask if he can help you out. You could possibly invite him to visit and talk to the team or have a hand in picking out the jerseys, too--a lot of guys would love that opportunity. If he does help you out, make sure to send him a team picture of the players in the jerseys he paid for with a nice thank you note signed by all the coaches and players.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2013 16:29:54 GMT -6
But even if I get to speak with him how do I ask him to contribute to the football program? ... So what do I do? Instead of going for his wallet, how about explaining where your program is at and how you could really use his influence to help with fundraising. If he's an NFL guy, use that name recognition for auctions, golf tournaments, program cards, whatever. Maybe along the way he'll decide to put some of his own chips in. This is a very solid piece of advice. That type of help and influence would probably bring in a lot more money than the guy could put in by himself. My alma mater has stuck with the same HC for a decade now, despite the fact that he's not won more than 3 games in years and a lot of influential people in the community have called for his head. A big part of the reason he stays is because he's by far the best fundraiser they've ever had.
His secret weapon? His nephew is one of the most popular players on one of the NFL's most popular teams and he gets the guy to help out with all the stuff The Dude listed above.
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Post by craines10 on Jul 3, 2013 21:51:28 GMT -6
Coach, WHY should he give to your program? What distinguishes your football program from others? Too often, the community feels likes former players who have made it big can or should give back. You can not assume that this former player possesses a favorable attitude toward the high school. I am willing to bet that this former player has been asked by the little league, park, churches or various other community entities to "give back". You would just be the next person in line to hit him up for a donation. I am quite sure that he is probably tired of it (former NFL players have told me this). I would be creative in terms of finding ways to motivate him to WANT to be involved in the program (coach, motivational speaker, mentor). Once he becomes an integral component of your program, he can possibly influence other entities (other pro players, NFL) to take an interest in your program. Also, before reaching out to him for financial assistance, you should evaluate the effectiveness of your current fundraising efforts (carwash, golf tournaments, candy sales, etc...). I believe that people may be more receptive to requests for financial assistance if they can actually see you making an effort to assist yourself. Just my thoughts. MCRSA75 Why should he give to our program? Well he honestly is not required to do anything, i just figured he would possibly be open to giving a small donation. As a staff we talked this over and I said even if he sends a video message to the kids that would be something. As far as money goes, we were not going to ask him for thousands of dollars just a donation if he could or wanted too. Even if he says no I still feel like he should be apart of the program. But that goes two ways, he could easily just shoot a "Good luck on the season" email and in my opinion that would be "giving back". I appreciate the responses though keep them coming!
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Post by craines10 on Jul 3, 2013 21:54:41 GMT -6
I talked to an ex teammate of his who ironically was the star on the team during their time there. They are very close and he passed my info on to him and I am just waiting to hear back.
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jrobins
Probationary Member
Posts: 11
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Post by jrobins on Jul 4, 2013 0:33:09 GMT -6
just ask. tell him you will put a plack with his name on it in the field house or the field.
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