Understanding Our Fundraising Partnership with
PB Entertainment
To effectively raise the funds necessary to support vital firefighter training initiatives and provide assistance to firefighters and their families in times of need, the Colorado State Fire Fighters Foundation partners with a professional fundraising company, PB Entertainment. This is a common practice for many non-profit organizations seeking to reach a broad audience and generate consistent revenue.
It's important to understand the financial structure involved in this type of fundraising. When PB Entertainment conducts telemarketing on our behalf, the gross donations received are distributed according to an agreed-upon model. Typically, the Foundation receives approximately 23% of the funds raised, while the remaining 77% covers PB Entertainment's operational costs.
While a 23% net return might seem modest compared to the gross amount raised, it's crucial to recognize that the alternative – relying solely on volunteer efforts or direct mail – often yields significantly lower overall fundraising totals and can have its own associated costs.
These costs are significant and encompass various essential aspects of their fundraising efforts, including:
Call Center Operations: This includes the infrastructure, technology, and staffing required to make a high volume of calls.
Personnel Expenses: Salaries, benefits, and training for the fundraising professionals who contact potential donors.
List Acquisition and Management: The cost of obtaining and maintaining accurate lists of individuals to contact.
Compliance and Regulatory Costs: Ensuring adherence to all applicable state and federal regulations governing telemarketing and charitable solicitations.
Overhead and Administrative Expenses: Standard business operating costs such as office space, utilities, and administrative support.
While a 23% net return might seem modest compared to the gross amount raised, it's crucial to recognize that the alternative – relying solely on volunteer efforts or direct mail – often yields significantly lower overall fundraising totals and can have its own associated costs.
Partnering with a professional firm like PB Entertainment allows us to reach a wider donor base and generate a consistent stream of revenue that directly supports our core mission of:
Funding essential hands-on and classroom training for firefighters and first responders.
Providing critical financial and emotional support to firefighters facing hardship due to illness, injury, or line-of-duty death, and their families.
We understand that questions may arise regarding the allocation of these funds, and we are committed to transparency in our fundraising practices.
This partnership with PB Entertainment is a strategic decision that enables us to maximize our reach and ultimately provide greater support to the Colorado fire service.
The net proceeds we receive are carefully managed and directly applied to the programs that benefit our firefighters and their families
Have More Questions?
Why Does the Foundation partner with fundraising companies like PB Entertainment
Partnering with a professional telemarketing firm like PB Entertainment allows the Colorado State Fire Fighters Foundation to reach a wider audience across the state and generate consistent funding to support our critical mission. Telemarketing provides a direct and personal way to connect with potential donors who might not otherwise be aware of our work. While we value all forms of support, telemarketing has proven to be an effective tool for securing the necessary resources to fund vital firefighter training and provide crucial assistance to their families in times of need.
I've heard that only a small percentage of my donation goes to the Foundation when you use a telemarketer. Why is this the case?
We understand why the allocation of funds might seem concerning at first glance. Fundraising through telemarketing involves significant operational costs for the soliciting firm. These expenses include call center infrastructure, personnel (including training and salaries for callers), the acquisition and management of donor lists, compliance with state and federal regulations, and general overhead. The 23% net return to the Foundation, while not the entirety of the donation, represents the revenue generated after these essential fundraising costs are covered. This model allows us to tap into a broad donor base that we might not otherwise reach, ultimately generating a larger overall amount to support our programs than we could achieve through solely volunteer efforts or direct mail.
What exactly does the 23% the Foundation receives go towards?
Every dollar the Colorado State Fire Fighters Foundation receives directly supports our core mission of serving Colorado's fire service. Specifically, the net proceeds from our fundraising efforts, including those generated through our partnership with PB Entertainment, are used to: Fund essential hands-on and classroom training programs for firefighters and first responders, ensuring they have the most up-to-date skills and knowledge to protect our communities. Provide critical financial and emotional support to firefighters and their families facing hardship due to illness, injury sustained in the line of duty, or the tragic loss of a loved one. We are committed to transparency and accountability in how we utilize these funds to make the greatest possible impact on the lives and careers of Colorado's brave firefighters.
