What are the best resources for creating and managing a charity book & CD sales project?
October 3, 2008 5:25 PM 
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My husband is creating a fundraiser for an Armenian aid organization in the city of Gumri, where he did his Peace Corps service several years ago. The fundraiser has two parts: a book of poems and their Armenian translations, and a CD anthology featuring original music by a variety of artists who have agreed to donate their work. What's the best way of publishing and distributing this effort? We're familiar with Lulu, wondering if there are other/better resources we’re not considering. Advice on pricing and communications for this effort also appreciated!
We’ve used Lulu for other things and been happy with their service. He’s given this some thought and from the perspective of this project, Lulu has a few things in its favor: No out of pocket costs and no inventory hassles – he can set it up so that people can order and the checks can get sent straight to the organization. We want sort of a “set it and forget it” operation on our end – create the product, do an initial push of promotion and periodic follow up thereafter as time allows, but for the most part have this creation “out there” and available and generating whatever resources it can produce for this aid organization, without ongoing babysitting on our part.
However, we’re uncertain whether there is a better deal or arrangement for accomplishing this. Lulu’s cost to print the book in its current size/form is $5.61 per copy; the CD cost is $5.50 each. We are thinking that charging $10 for each (to purchase separately or together) seems reasonable, though obviously the current economic downturn means it’s probably not a great time for impulse charity purchases like this.
So our questions, in summary, are:
1. Given the goal of optimizing both simplicity/ease and net benefit to the people of Gumri, what is the most effective way to get this charity project done? Specific services, links, etc. are most welcome.
2. Are we setting the pricing at a reasonable level?
3. What specific venues for promoting this project would be particularly effective, and why?
4. Is there anything else we should be thinking about here?
posted by shelbaroo to grab bag (3 comments total)
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One issue with Gyumri is that, as a city, it has a reputation for already having received way more than its "fair share" of aid (due to the earthquake) and now with the corrupt mayor, many people familiar with Armenia would be nervous to hand any more money over to any organization in the city. Many of the international organizations now working in Armenia are wary of any project that has activities going on in Gyumri.
With that being said, I'd be wary of marketing it as a "Gyumri" project to anyone knowledgeable about Armenia - diasporans, etc.
Instead, focus on whatever the organization is and what it does and try to provide some sort of independent audit of the organization's finances and operations. This type of audit will be important to many diasporans who have been burned in the past with charitable actions. Now with 15+ years of independence, there has been a lot of burning. Most diasporans now know what the "legit" charities are and have seen their audits and getting them to move away from donations to those organizations is very difficult (I used to try to do this for a living... unsuccessfully.) Similarly, is there any oversight for the funds that will be generated by this project? Is there going to be accountability, proof of what was intended to be done will be done? Is a current PCV going to distribute the funds?
If I knew what type of organization it was, I could probably be more helpful with venues for promotion.
Maybe other RPCVs would be interested and would be less skeptical than diasporans?
(Side note, I just moved back from Armenia a month ago and have lived there on-and-off for years, working for organizations with charitable arms.)
posted by k8t at 6:13 PM on October 3, 2008