Thanks for all the help. You can bet I'm going to print out all your ideas and take them to our group.
CARA was founded five years ago by a couple women who began picking up strays and finding homes for them. We have a large shelter in our area known for putting most of the animals to sleep, so this no kill shelter is really needed here. Unfortunately, the other shelter is well known, and has a lot of money behind it. They are building a state of the art building now. Our group now has a very nice place, still in the building stage, and a big mortgage. Our building was once a large warehouse. It can take care of the dogs and cats inside. Someone donated money for a feral cat sanctuary, and this is being built now. We have funds through a grant for the spay/neuter, and we can get more there. Our operating costs from day to day, as well as the need to continue with the building of nice outside exercise areas is of concern. Our need for money is ongoing. While one big fundraiser would be great, we are willing to do several smaller ones.
Our board consists of a very nice lady who started the program and gives full time to making it work, an attorney, two realtors, a retired teacher, an insurance executive, the owner of several car dealerships, as well as another member of his sales team, and myself (a psychologist). We had one of the managers of PetSmart on the board, but he felt it might be a problem for him with the other shelters. He has offered to help any way he can though. New members we hope to have onboard include a president of a company that has already donated many dollars in bleach from his company, a TV executive, and another realtor. A former governor's wife is also a possibility. The founder goes into schools with a program for the children. The retired teacher goes to grocery stores and Walmart to pick up all the sacks of food that have holes in them, as they are donated. We have an office manager who is jack of all trades (now sporting a scratched up nose where a dog bit her), as well as several part time employees. We have a judge who sends people for community service, but these folks may show up drunk, and they have a bad attitude. We have several special needs individuals (hearing impaired, mentally limited, and a cancer survivor with a voice box) who come in and help. Some of these started off as volunteers and now receive a small check. Some elderly people come in to exercise the dogs. I was there once, and a lady in a wheelchair was folding towels. But, with 230 dogs there now, and more coming in daily, you can see that money and more money is needed.
I want to thank all of you for the suggestions so far. And if others think of more, just let me know.