Top 10 Fundraising Secrets

Select the Best Fundraiser for your organization
Decide which fundraiser will best meet your needs and goals. You will be successful if you choose wisely. Look at “How to Choose A Fundraiser”.

Plan ahead
Start planning at least 1 month in advance. Select your fundraiser early to assure ample time to execute it successfully. Schedule fundraisers to avoid competing with other groups. Order fundraising materials early to avoid rushed shipments, delays and to avoid sold out merchandise.

Set Goals and Deadlines
Establishing a clear financial goal is absolutely necessary if you want to achieve success. Set a reasonable dollar amount you need to earn and then decide what it will take to reach it. Set deadlines to insure progress.

Limit Fundraisers to 2-3 per year
Stay focused on 2-3 great fundraisers per year instead unlimited, ongoing fundraisers. Kids and parents will both participate more if they know this is the only fundraiser for the season. If they think another fundraiser will come along any day, they will toss the current fundraiser to the side and wait for the next one. Two or three strong fundraisers will yield more funds than several poor ones.

Have a campaign kick-off
Motivate to participate. Give ideas on how to sell. Let your group know why they are fundraising and what they are selling. Get excited. If you are, they will be too!

Promote & Publicize
Send home a letter of information to each parent explaining the fundraiser. Spread the word to generate enthusiasm. Get everyone involved. If you can get each person to participate in some way then the goal is that much easier to achieve. Make a list of potential buyers – family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and acquaintances. Let everyone know why you are fundraising.

Provide incentives
Some fundraisers have prizes included with the program, use them! Make up your own incentives like donated prizes, cash prizes, pizza party, hat day, gum day, etc. Be creative. Set a goal for each class or group or a contest to raise more money than the others. Give them another reason to sell. See “Prizes and Incentives”.

Keep fundraiser short
We recommend no more than a 1-2 week selling period including 2 weekends. Allow time for late orders to come in. Most sales are done in 2-3 days so don’t let the fundraiser drag on for weeks. This will keep your participants motivated and on track.

Assign a quota to each seller or group
If you can get each member to commit to the goal then it will be achieved. Give incentives for reaching their quota.

Get volunteers to help organize
Delegate to lighten the load. Assign jobs to each volunteer. Communicate before during and after the sale. The more volunteers you have, the easier, smoother and more successful your fundraiser will be.

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More Helpful Information:
• Steps to a Successful Fundraiser

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