Conservation organization fundraising in today's world?

[Traxion]

A conversation today about conservation organization fundraising made me want to see what other opinions you guys have. I've been a member of several conservation organizations for years. I've been on committees, been the chairman of the event, been the chapter contact. Been through it all. I joined to help the BIG PICTURE cause and to help promote the sport. But as time went on, at least for me, it just became too much about the $$$$. And today that same conversation came up. We were discussing the upcoming banquet and nearly all of us had the same thoughts. Everything about the operation is just about $$$$, how much underwriting can we get, where can we get the most bang for our buck, where can we make the most money. It seems the regional guys just focus on the $$$. And it's turned us off. It's not about the fun, camaraderie, or experience. Just how much $$$ can we raise.

With all the different organizations out there (DU, Delta, PF, Walleyes Forever, Walleyes Unlimited, RMEF, Mule Deer Forever, NWTF, etc.) the market is getting really saturated. Add in the constant fundraising of schools, sports teams, community events, etc. and businesses get hit up non stop. It's hard to fund raise no matter what. And, from discussions with different organizations it seems attendance to the banquet style events is slowing of late.

So we discussed the question? What's next for these type of organizations? Are banquets the only way to fundraise? Or is there something new that needs to be done. I love what the organizations do, just a little worn out of the same old routine. Anyone else feel this way or are we in the minority? Just curious....

 

[Fritz the Cat]

Want the most bang for your buck? Simply purchase a Duck Stamp. Want to see something interesting?

http://refugeassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/MBCFacres_July-2013.pdf

Since its inception, Duck Stamp money has purchased 2,374,470.81 acres.

In North Dakota, 75,180 acres.

 

[Account Deleted]

Actual conservation events, i.e tree plantings, shore cleanups, etc. would be cool.

 

[DirtyMike]

Had this talk with my dad about their pheasant forever banquets. It's turning into a "let's show off our money to buy chances at guns" event. Some people get millet and various seed mixes to plant. A couple of them never allow access for pheasant hunting. I suggested a mandatory opening of at least a couple of weekends if not letting it be a kids with adults supervising type thing.

 

[lunkerslayer]

Had this talk with my dad about their pheasant forever banquets. It's turning into a "let's show off our money to buy chances at guns" event. Some people get millet and various seed mixes to plant. A couple of them never allow access for pheasant hunting. I suggested a mandatory opening of at least a couple of weekends if not letting it be a kids with adults supervising type thing.

Thumbs Up

 

[FightingSioux]

The nice thing about grassroots fundraising is the Feds typically match those dollars by triple . I still enjoy banquets no matter who throws it. Yes making money does matter but in the end it is about having fun and giving the opportunity to win great stuff. These organizations are the only ones that have the common hunting mans back.

 

[KDM]

Proving that the money raised by the local organization stays local goes a long way towards validating the intent of the organization. As soon as one dollar goes from the local part to a regional or national part of the organization......I'M OUT!!! DU is a prime example of what NOT TO BE!! I've found that the local bunch of guys wanting to give a little back are the most appealing to me. Enderlin/Sheldon wildlife is the one I joined and they have done some very good things for outdoors types, youth, and the conservation minded folks and they can show you exactly how they do it. I know where my money goes and I'm proud to be a part of their efforts. I feel much better about an organization when state and federal anything is kept OUT of the picture.

 

[gst]

There are two requirements I have
1. is it a local club
2. is there a means to have a say how the dollars are spent and impact their policy or ideologies.

We have a local club called the Mouse River Loop Pheasants. All the monies stays local. They do not have an affiliation with anyone because most all of those larger orgs do not have a way for the average guy spending his hard earned dollars to have a say in how they are spent.

We saw how the disconnect from local people in an orgs elitist national policies can cause problems not that long ago.

 

[Account Deleted]

I've long thought there should be an organization that matches your average hunter with your average landowner that could use a little help here and there in exchange for access. Same group could organize those conservation events as well.

 

[FightingSioux]

How much money that DU raises leaves the state? I'm pretty sure there are hundreds of thousands more dollars spent in ND than raised here. There is not reason to vilify any organization that is trying to support sportsmen .

Proving that the money raised by the local organization stays local goes a long way towards validating the intent of the organization. As soon as one dollar goes from the local part to a regional or national part of the organization......I'M OUT!!! DU is a prime example of what NOT TO BE!! I've found that the local bunch of guys wanting to give a little back are the most appealing to me. Enderlin/Sheldon wildlife is the one I joined and they have done some very good things for outdoors types, youth, and the conservation minded folks and they can show you exactly how they do it. I know where my money goes and I'm proud to be a part of their efforts. I feel much better about an organization when state and federal anything is kept OUT of the picture.

 

[gst]

How much money that DU raises leaves the state? I'm pretty sure there are hundreds of thousands more dollars spent in ND than raised here. There is not reason to vilify any organization that is trying to support sportsmen .

How does anyone here in ND that is donating monies to DU have any say in how these dollars are spent?

ND sportsmen were negatively impacted by those elites in DU that decided they knew better than the sportsman here in our state recently.

When is DU's state convention where sportsmen from ND can create policies on how THEY would like to see DU dollars spent here in ND?

Sportsmen here in ND do not need need someone in Memphis Tennesse telling us what is best to be done here in ND.

 

[FightingSioux]

The DU regional office is in Bismarck. I'm pretty sure those people who work there live in ND and make decisions where to spend dollars raised by DU. Name a DU project in ND that was not good for the hunters of ND?

Proving that the money raised by the local organization stays local goes a long way towards validating the intent of the organization. As soon as one dollar goes from the local part to a regional or national part of the organization......I'M OUT!!! DU is a prime example of what NOT TO BE!! I've found that the local bunch of guys wanting to give a little back are the most appealing to me. Enderlin/Sheldon wildlife is the one I joined and they have done some very good things for outdoors types, youth, and the conservation minded folks and they can show you exactly how they do it. I know where my money goes and I'm proud to be a part of their efforts. I feel much better about an organization when state and federal anything is kept OUT of the picture.

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also tell me a project in the state of ND that pheasants forever, pheasants for the future, delta waterfowl, or Rocky Mountain elk etc. have done that has not benefited the hunters of ND?

The people against conservation are those with their own interests that don't always benefit hunters and most of the time make it hard for the common hunter.

I wish all conservation projects required the landowner to allow public hunting but many landowners would not sign up. Maybe if you allow private land purchases by the state government by using private funding such as RMEF or MDF we can ensure the public is benefiting. I bet the farmers union and other farm orgs would be against it. Look what RMEF is doing in MT. Buying private land so that isolated public land can be accessed by the public. Now that's a great project to support.

 

[gst]

The DU regional office is in Bismarck. I'm pretty sure those people who work there live in ND and make decisions where to spend dollars raised by DU.

Once again, when is the DU state convention where sportsmen can create policy to take to the national org as to how their dollars are spent by DU?


Name a DU project in ND that was not good for the hunters of ND?


Measure 5
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also tell me a project in the state of ND that pheasants forever, pheasants for the future, delta waterfowl, or Rocky Mountain elk etc. have done that has not benefited the hunters of ND?

The people against conservation are those with their own interests that don't always benefit hunters and most of the time make it hard for the common hunter.

So joining local clubs that you have a say in and spend their monies locally is now being "against conservation"??

I wish all conservation projects required the landowner to allow public hunting but many landowners would not sign up. Maybe if you allow private land purchases by the state government by using private funding such as RMEF or MDF we can ensure the public is benefiting. I bet the farmers union and other farm orgs would be against it. Look what RMEF is doing in MT. Buying private land so that isolated public land can be accessed by the public. Now that's a great project to support.

You mean like this?

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outd...redibility-along-writer-who-criticized-donor/

Bottom line is there are plenty of local wildlife groups around that do good things with the dollars they are entrusted with.

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The reality of it is when these orgs ignore the wishes or concerns of the people in the state they are spending monies in it does not in the long run benefit hunters.

Yes one piece of land may be "protected" here or there but what of the relationships between landowners and sportsmen that directly impact both parties more than any one DU or PF project.

Many of these orgs have become no different than the govt in DC dictating what us lowly peons in these states that simply do not know what is good for us need.

 

[Fritz the Cat]

FightingSouix wrote,

The DU regional office is in Bismarck.

I haven't been in the DU office for awhile. Do they have any stuffed duck mounts or are there still none? They do have prints.....but....

 

[KDM]

How much money that DU raises leaves the state? I'm pretty sure there are hundreds of thousands more dollars spent in ND than raised here. There is not reason to vilify any organization that is trying to support sportsmen .

DU supports DU. A few years ago I asked to see the books from a DU rep to see where the money is spent and was denied access. Then I asked what the top 10 members of the DU organization make on an annual basis and was again denied that information. I then asked to see how much money was spent on "Administrative Costs" throughout the organization and was again denied. Any organization that CAN'T or WON'T be transparent with my money is not an organization I want to be affiliated with. I won't even go into the DU land purchase fiasco of the recent past here in ND and you don't want to hear how the local landowners around my place feel about DU. As far as vilifying this organization, they did a much better job of doing that themselves than I ever could.

I would like you to prove the bolded statement FS. Until I see evidence to contradict my opinion of DU, my opinion will stand unchanged.

 

[Traxion]

All the conservation organizations do something for us as hunters. DU is an easy target for people. I am far from agreeing for with everything they do but they've made more of an impact that almost any other organization.

I'll still buy a membership, I'm just not going to go to a fundraising banquet by them. I know the point IS fundraising, but that is about all I see anymore. And it isn't just DU. Being part of the organization used to involve more than just begging people for money and spending a bunch of your own. There is more to it than that.

I really do like local organizations that spend money on local projects. Great to see those, they have a real impact on the area.

As far as someone being required to allow hunting because they got seed, etc. That to me goes too far. We could take that a lot of different directions. Those people are still indirectly helping with habitat, etc. We may shoot a bird raised in their cover, who knows?

For me it's about making membership to these organizations fun again. I love raising a buck for them but lets make it fun. I've seen some organizations have had fun shoots and other "hands on" events to fund raise. I really like the idea but it gets shot down because "you don't net enough per head". I've stressed enough over banquets, done enough slave labor trying to get underwriters. Its just not enjoyable anymore, at least the experiences I've had lately.

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Oh, I forgot to add. DU is not a hunting organization. It's a conservation organization.

 

[SDMF]

Explain what the project is. Explain whom will benefit. Explain whether it's a public hunting opportunity or a private land "refuge" type opportunity. The. Start a "Go Fund Me" page.

 

[FightingSioux]

DU supports DU. A few years ago I asked to see the books from a DU rep to see where the money is spent and was denied access. Then I asked what the top 10 members of the DU organization make on an annual basis and was again denied that information. I then asked to see how much money was spent on "Administrative Costs" throughout the organization and was again denied. Any organization that CAN'T or WON'T be transparent with my money is not an organization I want to be affiliated with. I won't even go into the DU land purchase fiasco of the recent past here in ND and you don't want to hear how the local landowners around my place feel about DU. As far as vilifying this organization, they did a much better job of doing that themselves than I ever could.

I would like you to prove the bolded statement FS. Until I see evidence to contradict my opinion of DU, my opinion will stand unchanged.

You can easily get the breakdown of where the money goes including what percentage to admin costs. Not sure about the top salaries. You can read about all the DU projects in ND on the website. If you feel like DU spends their money in bad places then go to the state convention in bismarck. I'm sure you would be heard and I think you would learn more about the org. The thing about measure 5 is that it would be a drop in the bucket compared to what they already spend in ND. You should be worried about too much outside money being spent in ND!

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Measure 5 was not a project. It was a potential funding source to conserve land from being plowed under and drained. Name one actual DU project that is not Good for hunters? There are many examples on the DU website to choose from. I support all local clubs that are for conservation and they do great things. The great things about orgs like DU delta and PF is that they raise money over the country and spend it in the vital areas like the PPR. People like you are against these orgs because they do have a bigger impact than local clubs. This is why you make big orgs the villians and lie about supporting local clubs. We all know you are against conservation unless it benefits you.

DU supports DU. A few years ago I asked to see the books from a DU rep to see where the money is spent and was denied access. Then I asked what the top 10 members of the DU organization make on an annual basis and was again denied that information. I then asked to see how much money was spent on "Administrative Costs" throughout the organization and was again denied. Any organization that CAN'T or WON'T be transparent with my money is not an organization I want to be affiliated with. I won't even go into the DU land purchase fiasco of the recent past here in ND and you don't want to hear how the local landowners around my place feel about DU. As far as vilifying this organization, they did a much better job of doing that themselves than I ever could.

I would like you to prove the bolded statement FS. Until I see evidence to contradict my opinion of DU, my opinion will stand unchanged.

You mean like this?

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outd...redibility-along-writer-who-criticized-donor/

Bottom line is there are plenty of local wildlife groups around that do good things with the dollars they are entrusted with.

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The reality of it is when these orgs ignore the wishes or concerns of the people in the state they are spending monies in it does not in the long run benefit hunters.

Yes one piece of land may be "protected" here or there but what of the relationships between landowners and sportsmen that directly impact both parties more than any one DU or PF project.

Many of these orgs have become no different than the govt in DC dictating what us lowly peons in these states that simply do not know what is good for us need.

- - - Updated - - -

Measure 5 was not a project. It was a potential funding source to conserve land from being plowed under and drained. Name one actual DU project that is not Good for hunters? There are many examples on the DU website to choose from. I support all local clubs that are for conservation and they do great things. The great things about orgs like DU delta and PF is that they raise money over the country and spend it in the vital areas like the PPR. People like you are against these orgs because they do have a bigger impact than local clubs. This is why you make big orgs the villians and lie about supporting local clubs. We all know you are against conservation unless it benefits you.

DU supports DU. A few years ago I asked to see the books from a DU rep to see where the money is spent and was denied access. Then I asked what the top 10 members of the DU organization make on an annual basis and was again denied that information. I then asked to see how much money was spent on "Administrative Costs" throughout the organization and was again denied. Any organization that CAN'T or WON'T be transparent with my money is not an organization I want to be affiliated with. I won't even go into the DU land purchase fiasco of the recent past here in ND and you don't want to hear how the local landowners around my place feel about DU. As far as vilifying this organization, they did a much better job of doing that themselves than I ever could.

I would like you to prove the bolded statement FS. Until I see evidence to contradict my opinion of DU, my opinion will stand unchanged.

You mean like this?

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outd...redibility-along-writer-who-criticized-donor/

Bottom line is there are plenty of local wildlife groups around that do good things with the dollars they are entrusted with.

- - - Updated - - -

The reality of it is when these orgs ignore the wishes or concerns of the people in the state they are spending monies in it does not in the long run benefit hunters.

Yes one piece of land may be "protected" here or there but what of the relationships between landowners and sportsmen that directly impact both parties more than any one DU or PF project.

Many of these orgs have become no different than the govt in DC dictating what us lowly peons in these states that simply do not know what is good for us need.

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http://www.ducks.org/media/Multimedia/Media%20Kit/_documents/2011/whereMoneyGoes.pdf
It fluctuates year to year but 81% to conservation and education, 16% administrative, 3% fundraising and development

They also post their financial statements on the website for anyone to see. They are about as transparent as it gets.

I found all this info and more on their website. People are so quick to criticize but not to do some easy research