RangerDJ's Fundraising Page
A short note about fund raisers.
If you are looking to raise a couple hundred bucks, DO NOT hold a fund raiser, unless you are also considering the social value of the event. The best solution to raising a couple hundred bucks is simply to pass the hat. I would rather put $50.00 in a hat than spend the considerable amount of time and effort it takes to organize even the simpliest of fundraisers.
Here is a large list of Fundraising Links
Successful Fundraisers - Fundraising Tips & Ideas
"Elements of a fundraiser - maximize your success!"
There are too many to list each one here, but these are among the most important:
Strong leadership and organizational skills
It’s critical to have strong leadership for your fundraiser. Be sure that your chairperson has the time, energy, and personality to drive your sales efforts to the limit.
Your group also needs to select the best, most appropriate fundraiser and be well organized to execute successfully on each major step. Good communication is essential, particularly the instructions given to your participants.
Practice your sales pitch
Your sales group should rehearse their sales presentations in a role-playing
scenario at least twice before making actual sales calls. Every contact is
important. Each one should be approached in a professional manner with
quality sales support materials that make decision-making a snap for each
prospect.
If your primary participants are kids, remember that many children are shy by
nature. When they are shy, they mumble, look at the ground, or forget what to
say.
Obviously, you don’t want them to do that, but have you taken the time to
show and tell them how to do it right?
If you haven’t, take the time to do so and make it a priority.
Have the right fundraiser
Choose what’s most appropriate for your target market. It will vastly increase
your retained earnings. Good value in products (perceived and actual) is a must
for successful long-term fundraising. Choose your offerings wisely and match
their price range with community demographics.
Be sure to track your achievements each time against previous fundraising
benchmarks. Keep good records over time of what works best so that others who
assume your role later will benefit from your experience.
Try newer items for fundraisers
Some of the new varieties of fundraising ideas that are becoming popular are
compilation (best of) CD’s, online shopping rebates, gift certificates to local
and national merchants, clothing catalogs, along with DVD’s and video movies.
These fundraisers offer the ability to tap into enormous pools of discretionary
spending. See the Section on Best Fundraising Ideas for more ideas.
Planning and coordination
This is essential for all group activities. Begin assigning roles and
responsibilities at least thirty days before your actual campaign begins and be
sure to assign firm timelines to every task. Assign team leaders right away and
meet regularly with your group or team leaders to ensure complete understanding
of all relevant details by the respective leaders.
Be organized
Lack of organization can and usually will cost your group money in extra costs.
Mistakes, lapses, oversights, misunderstandings with suppliers, order confusion,
and duplication will eat into your hard earned profits, so get organized early
to avoid them.
Divide the labor
A good rule of thumb is to allocate no more than fifteen hours of work to any
individual. It’s necessary to avoid resentment and burnout by people being
saddled with too many tasks. Other volunteer tasks can take much less time, but
are just as critical to your success. Be sure to offer these volunteer positions
for those who want to help, but don’t have as much time to offer.
Follow all laws
Make sure to follow all state, local, and federal tax laws pertaining to
non-profit fundraising. Consult the excellent content and constantly updated
database at
http://www.fundraisetaxlaw.com
Using a consultant
Professional fundraising consultants, also known as sales representatives,
can be a big help. If there’s no additional cost to your organization, I’d
recommend using one. Only the largest suppliers have field sales reps and they
can provide invaluable assistance, particularly if you lack experience. They can
provide a variety of choices, advice on what works elsewhere, help coordinate
events, and offer planning assistance.
Consider the competition
Other organizations supporting good causes are directly competing with your
organization. Emphasize in your communications to your participants (and
possibly in your sales script) what differentiates you from your competition.
Never say anything negative about any other group.
As an enthusiastic consumer of Girl Scout Cookies (Thin Mints rule!), I know
that several Girl Scouts will approach me each year to buy cookies. I plan my
buying accordingly and buy only a portion of my yearly cookie purchase from each
Girl Scout. Don’t do a cookie dough fundraiser when the Girl Scouts are actively
selling.
Similarly, try not to offer the same thing everyone else is. Otherwise, many
potential supporters will have committed to buying their gift wrap, for example,
from another organization. This is one of the main reasons why you want an
alternate or supplemental offering in your seller’s toolbox.
Other considerations
There are many other considerations involved in fundraising, including the
benefits it provides for participants, what size revenue stream to tap, and how
selling higher-priced items takes only slightly more effort with much better
results.
Fundraising provides benefits for participants:
- Often first introduction to volunteer work
- Sense of belonging to a greater group
- Achieving goals through teamwork
- Learn community service and other life lessons
- Personal growth via helping others
- Becoming a good citizen and making good choices
- Reinforces positive behaviors such as selflessness
- Active involvement lowers propensity for alcohol/drug use
So, pay attention to these elements of a successful fundraiser, but don't forget
about the benefits of participation!
Maximize Your Fundraising Results
To maximize your fundraising results, you need t have a plan and work that
plan. Spend some time with your leadership group strategizing about how various
offerings will be received by your potential supporters. Design a sales effort
that leverages your group's strengths and expands your reach deeper into the
community.
Here are some important points to consider:
- Tap bigger revenue streams
- Sell higher-priced items
- Make it timely
- Avoid doing too many fundraisers
Tap bigger revenue streams
Your potential supporters spend money on both necessities and non-luxury goods.
Consider selling gift certificates for restaurants, groceries, gas,
entertainment, clothing, hardware, etc. The profit percentage is less, but if
you structure it right, everyone can be a supporter through their regular
expenditures. You can also offer these through your web site year round.
Sell higher-priced items
They’ll net you more funds than lower priced items. Example: You’d have to sell
ten $1 candy bars to net the same amount as one $10 item such as a CD. Ask
yourself how many people will buy ten candy bars versus how many will buy one or
more CD’s. Don’t forget that almost all of your participants will be selling to
ten prospects or less.
Don’t waste your sales effort; focus on maximizing your results!
Points to remember:
- Sell what’s easy to sell
- Make it easy to buy
- Make product offerings easy to choose
- Plan in detail to maximize revenues from each fundraising drive and each sales
opportunity within it.
- Place a strong focus on looking at everything with an eye toward maximizing
your net profit.
- Something new and different catches the attention better than SOSDY (same old
stuff, different year).
- Consider offering items with broad appeal (multi-unit sales) such as those
that can be given as gifts.
- Catalog sales offer the biggest variety and the best chance for larger overall
dollar volume.
Make it timely
Selling gift-wrap in November is more effective than selling it in the spring.
Likewise, don’t sell cookie dough against Girl Scout Cookies. Chocolate in the
summertime is problematic. Don’t settle for less than the right mix of high
quality goods at the right prices (cost and retail), along with something new.
Always remember: Quality + variety + something new = better bottom line
Avoid doing too many fundraisers
Doing three major fundraisers along with some combination of service or special
event programs works well. Consider supplementing your major campaigns with a
new product catalog, even if you’re already planning a catalog sale anyway. A
second catalog offers additional purchase options and supplemental revenue from
each sales opportunity.
Compiled from www.fundraiserhelp.com