IN-HOUSE ARTICLES - FUNDRAISING MOVES TO NEW HEIGHTS

A New Business Model

Imagine for a moment a business that could generate a steady stream of large donations for all kinds of worthy causes, not just tax-exempt charities. It could fund churches, non-profit organizations and school programs, but it could also fund community organizations that do not have a tax-exempt status, and even lend a helping hand to single individuals in need. Add to that vision the somewhat incongruent thought that the “donors” don’t pay a dime! They will however have to “donate” about 10 minutes of their time from the comfort of their home. Sound impossible? Think again!

If George Elliot, CEO of FundraisingRealEstate.org has his way, the vast world of worthy causes is about to get a major new fundraising tool. Elliot’s new business based in Tucson, Arizona has already started giving away donations of thousands of dollars to worthy causes across the U.S. and Canada. It’s simple, free and can make a meaningful difference to the bottom line of almost any worthy cause.

In a somewhat bizarre twist, Elliot’s business attracts customers by giving away most of the company’s income. The money goes to almost any worthy cause the customer wants to support. The only exceptions being that donations are not made to illegal, immoral or political causes, nor can they be of direct financial benefit to strictly the customer or their family. It doesn’t matter if the worthy cause is an IRS tax-exempt charity, as Elliot treats the “donation” as a business expense. Because the “donation” is used to market the company, it becomes a business expense, thereby not being restricted to the 50% of gross income limitation imposed for tax-exempt donations.

The concept could apply to any business, but in Elliot’s case, the business is real estate. Or more accurately, he finds real estate agents for buyers and sellers anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. When a person is considering contacting a real estate agent to either sell or purchase real estate, if they first contact FundraisingRealEstate.org Elliot will connect them with a qualified real estate agent. The customer can choose an agent they already know, or any agent that is marketing a property the customer finds of interest. Or, Elliot will find them an agent, whether the customer is interested in property across the street, across town, or across the country, Canada included. Getting a qualified agent is not a problem. The customer just has to contact Elliot before they hook up with an agent so that he can do the referral.

Once the referral is done, a process that often only takes minutes, the agent contacts the customer and the real estate selling or buying process is on its way. When the sale or purchase is completed, the real estate agent pays Elliot’s company a referral fee. He takes half that fee and cuts a check to the customer’s choice of worthy cause. That is usually 15% of the total real estate commission earned by the company that received the referral. For example, on an average home purchase in the U.S. ($300,000 sale price with a 5.1% listing commission), the worthy cause would receive $1,150. More often than not, the customer will both sell their home and buy a new home using Elliot’s program. That results in double the donation, or $2,300 going to the customer’s worthy cause.

For those of you who are not considering buying or selling real estate any time soon, there is no need to feel left out. Elliot has come up with an intriguing program you too can participate in. If you hear of a friend or family member that is considering a move and will be needing a real estate agent, be sure to tell them about FundraisingRealEstate.org. If they use Elliot’s company to find an agent, not only do they get to direct 50% of Elliot’s referral fee to their worthy cause, but if they say you referred them, then you get an additional 25% of the referral fee directed to your worthy cause on their first transaction. Using the above example, that’s an average of $575! You can do as may referrals as you wish. Although not required to make a referral, Elliot has “business cards” available for people to hand out to anyone who might be buying or selling real estate. You just write your name and e-mail or phone number in the place provided on the card and, voila, you are ready to start referring.

Perhaps at this point you are beginning to see the vast possibilities for worthy causes. If the causes inspire their membership to start using Elliot’s programs, they can reap substantial long-term rewards. Elliot has a “Worthy Cause Action Plan” available at no cost on his website, FundraisingRealEstate.org.

If you want to find out more details about the above ideas, you can visit the company’s website or call 1-800-601-3077, or in the Tucson area, call 777-3075.