Organizing Your School Fundraiser
| Summary: School fundraisers can be chaotic if you're
not organized. Quick tips for staying focused and improving your school
fundraiser's bottom line. Here are 12 fundraiser tips to consider when
planning and conducting school fundraisers. |
Fundraisers are a lot more fun if everything is organized and planned ahead of
time. Otherwise, it's chaotic and you miss out on a lot of things that could
have contributed to your bottom line. In addition, it's a lot harder to recruit
volunteers for your next fundraiser when this one didn't go very smoothly. So,
here's some quick fundraising tips.
Time
Determine how much time is needed for each task and plan accordingly. You’ll be
lost without a well thought out timetable. I can’t stress enough how important
it is to take the time to write out your plan and then work from it as you go.
Preparation
Make sure each step has been assessed and the right resources assigned. There is
no substitute for preparation. Write everything down once for your annual plan
and then follow your path to success.
Supervision
Every facet needs to be supervised, from publicity to sales to delivery. The
chairperson and team leaders should remember to delegate responsibility to each
sub-group leader and to maintain a clear vision of what’s needed to achieve the
goals.
Feedback
Keep an open mind to the concept of change and ask questions. Your best sources
of information are those who are directly interacting with your potential
customers along with the experienced veterans of previous fundraisers.
Internal Coordination
Efficiency gets better results. Review all of your distribution and
communication processes. Make sure that all materials reach the right hands in a
timely manner.
Execution
Maximize your fundraising results by flawlessly executing each step of the
process. When something goes wrong (and it will), take corrective action
immediately. Be sure to eliminate the root cause to avoid a recurrence.
Selling
Decide ahead of time on the best sales contact method. Present that information
in the handout materials accompanying each sales package. Have a prepared sales
script for your participants to use. Make sure that your sellers know to make a
list of prospects and to rehearse their sales pitch several times.
Sales Rewards
Design your program with the appropriate level of reward for all participants. A
little reward can produce a lot of motivation. Be sure to set the initial reward
level low enough so that at least 50% of your sales force get a direct reward
for meeting the first level sales goal. Group awards will also stimulate
additional sales, but not as much as individual rewards.
Collecting Funds
Choose ahead of time whether your fundraiser will use prepayment with order or
collect upon delivery. Pre-payment is better for most fundraisers for many
reasons. It eliminates financial risks, simplifies delivery, and eliminates
unsold merchandise.
Sales Tax
Make sure your organization complies with all federal, state, and local tax
regulations. Just because your organization is tax exempt doesn’t necessarily
mean you don’t have to collect and remit state/local sales taxes. For more
information, see
http://www.fundraisetaxlaw.org.
Tabulating
Collating all the sales results is a time consuming job. If possible, have each
group tabulate their results before forwarding their sales orders to the central
contact point. Be sure that each order is double-checked for accuracy before it
is forwarded.
Keep Copies
Be sure to keep a copy of every order sheet and tally list. It greatly
simplifies the delivery process and provides a verification source to resolve
any discrepancies with both suppliers and customers. Use the copies to check off
pre-sorted deliveries.
Ordering
Placing your order with the supplier is an essential step where any mistakes
need to be caught before they become a public relations problem. All information
should be reviewed once more before the order is submitted. Attentive suppliers
will send you an order verification to double check your quantities and most
will list items by seller.
Payment
Your supplier will usually expect payment before the order ships to your
organization. Verify pricing and totals with your supplier before funds are
sent. Avoid discrepancies later by checking all details before signing a
contract.
Sorting
Once your shipment has arrived, organizing the product for delivery is the
largest task for most catalog fundraisers. If possible, look for a supplier who
will presort your order and provide a computer printout. Otherwise, have all
your group leaders pitch in to help sort the merchandise into the individual
orders. Never let this task fall to only one or two people.
Delivery
All deliveries should be timely and error free. Make sure the right delivery
expectations are set by your sales organization and then meet them without
delay. Pick a supplier who provides advance notification of their delivery to
you. Turn your shipment around into sub-group and individual orders quickly.
Returns
Ascertain what your suppliers return policies are before you finalize your
choice of suppliers and begin raising funds. Include that information in the
sales packet provided to your sales force so that all communications with your
customers are accurate. A satisfied customer is a repeat customer.
Related Pages
Location, Location, Location - A good fundraiser location can generate big profits - How to find the best fund-raising locations and work them for maximum fund raising profits.
Fundraising Discount Cards - An easy
fundraiser product that has widespread appeal and great perceived value. Plus,
the 90% profit margins and $10 price always produce great results.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts - Simple and
profitable fundraiser selling fresh doughnuts, gift certificates, and fund
raising partnership cards that offer free doughnuts with every purchase - profit
margin on a Krispy Kreme fundraiser is 50%.
Car Wash Fundraiser - Proven car wash
fundraiser ideas for maximum profits - How to produce big results - Quick and
easy car wash fund raiser tips.
School Fundraising Incentives -
School fundraising incentive and reward programs - Boost your school fundraisers
results with the right incentives and rewards.
Cookie Dough Fundraisers - Cookie
dough fundraisers are big moneymakers - The product is easy to sell as kids
enjoy it themselves and families see value in the cookie dough fundraiser
product.
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