Getting Started With Your Fundraiser - Part 3
| Summary: More fundraising tips - Part 3 covers the
where and why of your fundraiser. Choose fundraisers that fit the other
activities your group is involved with and make sure everyone knows "why"
you are doing this particular fundraiser. |
In this multi-part fundraising article, these are some of the important
points to consider for your fundraiser:
Where does this fundraiser fit within the overall activities of your
organization?
Things to consider
How much time and effort will it take? What net results are expected? How many
fundraisers have you done so far this year and how many more do you have planned
for the rest of the year?
Is your group currently extremely busy with other activities or is this a down
time when having additional volunteers can make it a big success?
The type of fundraiser chosen will determine the principal places where sales
are made and products are delivered. If it’s a catalog sale, be sure to have
space reserved for organizing goods when they’re to be sorted for delivery.
Make sure that space is available during the time you need it. For example, if
you will be using the gymnasium for sorting orders, be sure there’s not a game
or other activity scheduled there during that timeframe.
Why are you doing this particular fundraiser?
Be goal oriented
Set a realistic goal or set of goals. Determine in advance what your profit goal
is by benchmarking it against past experience and upon defined needs. Then set a
stretch goal for your organization and build your incentive plan toward that
larger goal.
Why a stretch goal
Years of technology sales taught me that the “salespeople” will come to see
their stretch goal as their actual goal so long as it is realistic and the
reward is appealing.
If you raised $5,000 last year, set a stretch goal of a 20% increase or an extra
$1,000. Have a big reward tied to achieving the stretch goal and smaller rewards
tied to a repetition of last year’s numbers.
Define need and communicate the need that this fundraiser will meet and
communicate that as the reason for this group effort. Send written announcements
to your participants stating what your goals are and incorporate those into the
sales script that you distribute with your sales materials.
People respond better to a request for help meeting a specific need versus a
general one. Think of your own experience as a customer. Did you buy an extra
item because it was for a good cause? How did you know it was for a good cause?
Because the seller gave you specific details that motivated you to help!
For example, here are some reasons why fundraisers are done:
- New equipment
- Supplemental art supplies
- Updates for a community center
- Youth group retreat expenses
- Upgrade playgrounds
- Computers for the classrooms
- Classroom supplies
- Special event trips
- Uniforms and sports equipment
- Scholarships
- Music program funding
Be sure to spread the word
Publicity and communications are essential ingredients of a successful
fundraiser. Send a press release to your local paper and radio stations. Very
often, publicity for non-profit organizations is offered as a free service.
Click Here for Getting Started - Part 4
Related Pages
Getting Started - Part 1 - The who,
what, when where, why, and how of a successful fundraiser.
Organize School Fundraiser -
Quick tips on organizing your school efforts by planning ahead.
Location, Location, Location - How to find the best
fund-raising locations and work them for maximum profits.
Fundraising Fundamentals - How to
increase community awareness of both your need and your offering.
What's In It For Me - To succeed,
everyone needs to know "What's in it for me?"
Tried and True Fundraiser - These
old standbys always produce good results for any-size group.
Free Fundraisers - Three time-tested
fundraising ideas for raising fast cash for groups of any size.
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