Successful Fundraisers
Fundraising Tips & Ideas
There are so many fundraising tips I could give, but it's impossible to list each one here.
These ten are among the most
important:
- Leadership & organization
- Rehearse the sales pitch
- Choose the right fundraiser
- Try new ideas
- Planning & coordination
- Organize & divide tasks
- Follow tax laws
- Use a consultant
- Study the competition
- Participant benefits
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 it's their first introduction to volunteer work
- Gives a 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!
Related Pages
Overview - Get the big picture of what fundraising is all about.
Objectives - The importance of having the right
offering and getting your message across.
Get Organized - Organizational tips
for getting the most out of your volunteer organizations.
Successful Fundraisers - Boost
results with organization, quality incentives, and sales prep.
Return On Investment - Spend funds wisely to
maximize your fund raising ROI.
Maximize Results - Five tips for
maximizing your results, regardless of the size of your group.
Donor Recognition - How to use donor
recognition to increase your capital campaign results.
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