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| Fundraising / Successful Fundraising |
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How to Host a Successful FundraiserFundraising Tips and Tricks of the TradeHosting a successful fundraiser is no accident. It requires planning, commitment, and more than a little bit of salesmanship. If this sounds like a lot of work, make no mistake about it, it is. But it's rewarding work, it's meaningful work, and done the right way, fundraising can be fun work. Fundraisers present wonderful opportunities to generate both income and good will for your organization, to raise community awareness for your cause, and to create a sense of camaraderie within your group. These tips are designed to help your organization get the most from your fundraiser, in every sense of the word. When planning your fundraiser, the first question to ask is "when?" When If you're tying into a specific event like an Oktoberfest or school fair, then the dates are predetermined, but if you're opting for the brochure or "pre-sales" method, you have some flexibility over your schedule. Generally speaking, a two-week period is ideal – anything longer than that tends to be counterproductive. Avoid times that coincide with school holidays when people may be out of town. Not only do you want to have a lot of people around to buy your product, you want to be sure that you'll have plenty of volunteers on hand to help. What Who are your expected customers? What image do you want to convey? If you're a sports team, perhaps you want to choose a healthy product. If you're raising funds for Juvenile Diabetes then obviously, you don't want to pick candy. Of course, there are several generic products that appeal to almost everyone, such as popcorn, gift wrap, coffee or citrus. Often an answer is suggested by the season - spring bulbs, Halloween pumpkins, or Christmas trees or ornaments are excellent seasonal fundraising items.
Fundraising Companies Get referrals from other groups if possible, or consult unaffiliated, information driven websites like the Fundraising Ideas Center for more ideas and advice.
Publicity A week or two before the actual selling begins, start spreading the word. Send letters home to parents and ask them to network on your behalf. Utilize the media – almost every outlet has some version of a Public Service Announcement that they offer free of charge. Put up posters where it is allowed, but be sure to take them down when your event is over. When you are ready to begin selling, it's time to "rally the troops". Hold a kick-off session during which you explain the financial and tangible goals – "We need to raise $5000 for new uniforms. That breaks down to X-amount of sales per person." Sales Tips During the fundraiser, monitor the progress and keep everyone updated. Offer incentives to the person or team that sells the most. It's almost a cliché, but the "rising mercury in a thermometer" tote board is a visual tool that really works!
Post-Sales Make sure you schedule enough people to unload and distribute the product, and have a plan for dealing with damaged merchandise or incorrect orders. As far as getting the goods to your customer, deliver them in person whenever possible.
A personal thank-you note from the student is a wonderful touch and will give
your customer a nice, warm feeling that will carry over until the next event. Related PagesEasy Fundraisers - Three easy fund raisers for for any size group for maximum weekend profits. Getting Started: Part 1 - The who, what, when, where, why, and how of a successful fundraiser. Donor Recognition - How to use donor recognition to increase your capital campaign results. Selecting the Right Fundraiser: Part 1 - Good advice to use on picking the right fundraiser for your group. Successful Fundraisers - Boost results with organization, quality incentives, and sales preparation. Organize School Fundraiser - Quick tips on organizing your school efforts by planning ahead. Tried and True - These old standbys always produce good results for any-size group. Events - Portrait Photography, Rubber Duck Derby, Clean Comedians. Church Fundraisers - Church fund-raising through donor recognition - Christian fundraiser charity activities. Sample Letter - Sample school event donation
letter where you can insert your specific information. |
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