The basic fundraising idea involves deploying a flock of pink plastic flamingoes in someone's yard or outside a business entrance. A note is left explaining that the person or business has been selected by someone to be ?flocked? for a good cause. And, it then goes on to explain that they will have to pay $10 per flamingo to have them relocated.



The fun part is that each flocking victim then gets to pick the next victim. The flocking process continues for the duration of the fundraising event.

Of course, you will always run into a few killjoys who don't see either the humor or the good cause behind the flocking. When that happens, you just remove the birds, have the previous recipient select a new victim and get things going all over again.

Getting started

There is a small upfront investment in the flamingoes, but you quickly recoup that cost with a couple of flockings. It makes sense to have multiple flocks working at the same time, so purchase five dozen or so.

Write up your fundraising manifesto and place copies in a large plastic Ziplock bag attached to the foot of each flock's leader. That way your fundraising information and the previous victim's note will stay protected from the elements.

Publicity tips

Newspapers, radio and television stations are always looking for a humorous story, particularly one that's for a good cause. Put together a press release stressing what the funds raised will be used for and include pictures of your entire flock at a prominent location.

Be sure to include full contact information and the usual who, what, when, where, why, and how in your press release. Distribute it to all the media contacts in your market and then make follow-up calls to encourage good exposure.

Profit tips

Maximize the success of your pink flamingo fundraiser by dividing your flock into various size groupings. Reserve a couple of big flocks for business locations and divide the rest into groups ranging from two to six birds.

That way, a homeowner can easily ante up $20 or $30 to relocate two or three birds. And, the next victim won't resent being the recipient because it's not super expensive to keep the flamingo fundraiser moving on.

Good business targets are lawyers, doctors, dentists, realtors and other high-traffic professionals. Shopping center locations aren't as practical due to the lack of nearby placement options.

To attract even more attention, some groups even dress up some of their birds in funny outfits. For instance, a cancer fundraiser might use doctor's scrubs and nurse's outfits on each flamingo with a sign around their necks demanding payment.

One group dressed theirs up like workers on strike carrying signs asking for more money. A school group raising funds for sports team travel expenses placed signs around their necks saying they needed some travel money to get home.

Sixty birds earning $10 a day for three weeks will raise $12,600!

Summary

Being creative and a little wacky in your approach can be a good thing with your flamingo fundraiser. Don't be afraid of offending someone because it's all for a good cause.

Work the publicity angle to create public awareness of what your fundraiser is all about. Divide your flock into various size groups and create multiple streams of income by having each batch relocated every day. Use funny outfits and signs to attract even more victims.

And most importantly, have fun with your pink flamingo fundraiser!