This article is part of the Summer 2026 edition of the Volunteer Newsletter, a quarterly update meant to equip, empower and encourage RMEF volunteers. More articles are available on our dedicated Volunteer Newsletter page.

Cash donations are pure net revenue and often the difference between a good event and a great one. Growing this income stream requires creativity, persistence and, most importantly, grassroots relationship‑building. Chapters that excel in cash donations don’t just “ask for money.” They cultivate genuine, long‑term connections with donors and local businesses. Below are proven tactics from RMEF staff and volunteers to help strengthen your chapter’s grassroots fundraising efforts.

Understand Business Budgets
Businesses often have larger advertising budgets than donation budgets. If you ask only for a “donation,” you may unintentionally limit your opportunity. Positioning support as advertising value (brand visibility, event exposure, community recognition) can open the door to larger contributions.

Identify Clear Support Opportunities
There are many ways donors, partners and local businesses can contribute to event revenue. Keep all potential support opportunities in mind, and present them appropriately.

  • Underwriting Banquet Merchandise: Underwriting is the most common cash contribution. Once merchandise is allocated to your event, present each item as a sponsorship opportunity. Many chapters set goals to fully underwrite all merchandise, an easy way to track progress and motivate volunteers. RMEF also has a feature in EMS that allows volunteers to download a merchandise catalog for all the items that were ordered. This allows donors to choose which items they want to align with at your event.
  • Presenting Sponsorships: For higher‑capacity donors, offer the presenting sponsorship of an entire raffle, game or auction. Recognize them prominently with banners, program placement and verbal acknowledgment (e.g., “Tonight’s live auction is presented by AMC Construction.”). Work with your regional director to determine appropriate values. Remember: anything with a cost can be underwritten—catering, venue, sound system, auctioneer, printing, even the entire banquet!
  • Business Card Ads: A single program page with business card ads can generate $400 to more than $1,500 in cash revenue. It’s simple, affordable and attractive to small businesses.
  • Program Advertisements: Quarter‑, half‑ and full‑page ads often generate enough revenue to cover the entire cost of printing the program.
  • Event Sponsor Program: For donors who want something tangible in return, the event sponsor program offers merchandise or firearm incentives. It’s not technically a cash donation, but it’s still valuable support.

Build Real Relationships
The most successful chapters don’t rely on cold calls; they build authentic, meaningful relationships with donors.

Grassroots fundraising means:

  • Showing up in your community
  • Knowing local business owners by name
  • Understanding what matters to them
  • Connecting their support to real conservation impact

Donors give more—and give longer—when they feel personally connected to your chapter and the RMEF mission.

Upsell Through Connection
If a donor has given at the same level for years, look for the right moment to encourage a step up. This is easiest when you’ve built trust and rapport. When donors feel valued, informed and appreciated, they’re far more willing to increase their support.

Additional Tips from RMEF Staff and Volunteers

  • Set an underwriting goal higher than last year. Start with fully underwriting the live auction.
  • Watch who advertises locally. Businesses with banners at sports complexes, arenas and rodeos already invest in community visibility.
  • Check local publications. Newspapers, magazines and mailers reveal who is actively spending on advertising.
  • Invite donors to attend the banquet. Seeing their impact firsthand strengthens loyalty and future giving.
  • Match donors with relevant underwriting items. For example, orthopedic doctors match well with underwriting boot packages, hearing centers match with hearing protection, and gas companies match with propane cookers.

The Heart of Success
At its core, increasing cash donations is not about tactics; it’s about relationships. Grassroots fundraising thrives when chapters invest time in people, listen to donors’ interests and connect contributions to meaningful conservation outcomes. When donors feel like partners rather than sponsors, they stay engaged, give more generously and become long‑term champions of RMEF’s mission.