Funding Animal medical needs can be a daunting prospect. Luckily, there are various options available to help animals affected with medical needs and their costs. A unique animal fundraiser could include crowdfunding and donations on social. However, it could also be something entirely unique, like a shoe drive fundraiser.
It’s time for a shoe drive fundraiser partner story! So, here’s the scoop. Brenda Porter came to us for the Homeless Animal Rescue Team of Cincinnati. They needed to raise funds for the medical needs of the animals in their care. If you’re associated with an animal rescue, you know it goes beyond the recovery of animals from neglect or dangerous situations. You have to care for all the animal’s needs until they find a forever home. Unfortunately, some animals arrive with medical conditions. Depending on the severity of the illness, different funding options may be more appropriate.
For instance, some veterinarians may be willing to help by donating time from their practice. Veterinarians with extra space may provide boarding or temporary medical care for an animal at an agreed-upon rate. While the idea of getting a vet to help is great, the Homeless Animal Rescue Team of Cincinnati tried a unique animal fundraiser.
Why is a Shoe Drive Fundraiser Unique?
For starters, a shoe drive fundraiser focuses on collecting one item—and it’s not money. Shoe drive fundraisers concentrate on one specific item—shoes. It’s easier to collect donations for a particular item than having to figure out monetary donation asks. As many animal organizations know, they have to figure out how much to ask people to donate money. But, with a shoe drive fundraiser, that challenge evaporates. All you do is collect gently worn, used and new shoes.
Also, as our animal rescue partner learned during their fundraiser, this event does so much more. The Homeless Animal Rescue Team found out they could raise funds by collecting shoes in their community. The theme of the animal fundraiser was ‘HART & Sole.’ Moreover, they learned many people cared about their cause. The local chamber of commerce promoted the fundraiser, as did the town firehouse, which collected shoes.
Several businesses created workplace ‘give back’ days so their teams could support the fundraiser. As you may know, it’s important to get team spirit for any fundraiser. And when your team gets involved in the fundraising, so much energy gets created. Of course, many wanted to participate. A shoe drive fundraiser for animals helps the animals, but also sustainability and nature! As we all know, we have to do our part for the planet.
Why Repurposing Gets Even Bigger
While the above elements are crucial to a successful shoe drive fundraiser, they’re far from the only things that set it apart from other types of fundraising events. For example, the animal rescue raised funds for their rescued animals. And they also got to save shoes from going in the trash, which is terrible for the environment. But, there was also a global impact.
Once the HART and Sole unique animal fundraiser ended, the shoes got picked up by our social enterprise. Eventually, the shoes got transported to over 4,000 micro-enterprise partners worldwide. The model for our shoe drive fundraisers is all about a hand-up. Meaning that we provide commerce opportunities for people living in poverty to help themselves. And that, we believe, is the best thing you could do for someone—provide opportunity.
Just look at some of our fundraising facts. Nearly 20,000 shoe drive fundraisers completed. Over $11 million in fundraising checks issued. And 32 million shoes rescued and repurposed.
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