What is the mission of your non-profit organization? Most non-profits and not-for-profits exist to spread the word about an important issue or to raise money to meet a need. Promotional products can serve as an important part of your strategy in many different ways. The purposes of promotional products usually fall into one of the following categories:



* increase name recognition

* advertise a product or service

* thank customers or contributors

* disseminate information

* raise funds

* increase support for a cause

Here's a look at some specific ways that your non-profit organization might use promotional products.

Increase name recognition

Getting your name and your cause recognized is often one of the first items on your non-profit agenda. This often involves participating in local events like information fairs, street festivals and conferences. The types of promotional products that many companies use as trade show giveaways work just as well to increase name recognition for your agency. Printed travel mugs and sports bottles, car stickers and other generic items get widespread use and spread your name around.

Advertise a product or service

More specific items can be even more effective when coupled with a slogan that plays on the item itself. While your product or service may not be "for sale", your organization still has a need to sell it to the public. The same methods used by retail sellers and businesses will bring in "customers" for your non-profit services and products.

Thank you or appreciation gifts

One of the more effective ways to raise goodwill for your cause is to thank contributors and participants. Whether you send out small tokens to those who make contributions, give larger gifts to those who volunteer in substantial ways or offer a free "gift" to those who respond to a call for action, promotional products are a low cost way to say "thanks for helping".

Some examples: - give away a free appointment calendar to any woman who comes in for a free mammogram - and mark off the month when the next should be scheduled - Thank corporate sponsors by featuring their names alongside the campaign slogan on all promotional products used in a campaign - Send inexpensive promotional products as thank you gifts to all contributors. Give larger gifts to those who give larger contributions

Disseminate Information

Turn to companies who specialize in promotional products to help design and produce the flyers and leaflets that you'll hand out to disseminate information. If your message is concise, you can put it on a variety of promotional products that you can hand out to spread the word. The latest technology offers even more ways to disseminate information. Put important presentations on a USB flash drive to make a real impression. The price on these has come down dramatically, making them a great combination promo tool and gift for those important potential contributors.

Fund Raising

Promotional products also are great for fund raising campaigns. Whether you're selling car stickers to raise a few hundred quid, or mounting a charity event with much larger goals in mind, the point is publicity. You might sell imprinted products, offer promotional apparel for sale, or promise corporate sponsors high billing on conference folders, event banners and promotional conference bags at charity events. The possibilities are endless.