Your first step in organizing a fundraiser is to build an enthusiastic fundraising team. How effectively you organize your fundraising committee is crucial. As chief organizer, you'll wear manyhats. Your jobs include: Establish and track goals and objectives Create a timeline, follow through and follow up. Help where help is needed Troubleshooting Keep plans in motion Keep detailed records of progress and results Schedule meetings with your main committee. Meet and get reports from your pivot group as necessary. Finding VolunteersThe obvious solution is to find committee members by canvassing the membership, whether you're fund-raising for achurch, school, or other group. However, too often canvass methods are generic and leave you with members that have been coerced (even if gently) into participation. You can find active members who will enjoy their volunteer experience by using these simple tips. Whether your committee is pre-established or you must gather volunteers, build success at the beginning by pinpointing skills your volunteers have to offer. Start canvassing skills with a short, specific, questionnaire to match up your co-workers with a way for them to maximize their talents. Instead of yes or no, a rating system from 1 to 5 shows who is most interested and best equipped for different activities. Begin your questionnaire with an opening paragraph that describes what you need from your team. Use our Fundraising Ideas to give your members and potential volunteers an idea of possible plans. Write an opening letter describing your fundraiser, its goals and some potential Fundraising Ideas . Send your letter to your group's membership indicating specific skills you need to reach your goals.If your organization has a newsletter, have your letter added to the next edition.If fundraising for a church, post your information in the church bulletin.If fundraising for a school, send the letter home to parents.Find skilled members by including a questionnaire like the one below. If funds allow, include a self-addressed stamped envelope or follow up your mailing with a phone call. Ask for names of those who volunteered in past fundraisers or who serve on other committees and in which activity they participated. Ask for names of those with special skills (accountants, writers, bakers, candlestick-makers). Call each and ask them to donate their skills to your project. Even if your prospective volunteers decline your invitation, be sure to tell them the date, place, and time of your first meeting. Leave your invitation open and thank them for hearing you out. Example Questionnaire: Our fundraising committee needs a secretary and a financial resource person. We also need someone that is proficient in writing letters and advertisements and volunteers to copy and mail them. Other tentative plans include a youth car wash, a bake sale, a bazaar, and a walk-a-thon. Please indicate your level of interest 1 (not interested) to 5 (very interested) below: The committee secretary will take notes at meetings, list who's in charge of different activities, and keep track of our progress, etc.I enjoy taking notes. (1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5) Our treasurer will keep track of expenses and make deposits of incoming funds.I enjoy working with numbers (1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5) Using a template, we will be soliciting donations from local business and industry.I can write letters (1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5)I have free time for copying and mailing (1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5) Using a template, we will be submitting press releases to the local media to kick-off our fundraiser. We also need press releases and small classified and/or display ads for different events as they are scheduled.I can write press releases (1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5)I can write ads (1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5) Are you an organizer? Tentative activities include a craft bazaar, a bake sale, a walk-a-thon, and a car wash. We need volunteers to chair and organize each event.Craft Bazaar (1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5)Bake Sale (1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5)Walk-a-thon (1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5)Car Wash (1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5) The way to keep both yourself and your committee happy is to truly delegate authority. In other words, let go of some of the reins! If one of your committee members will take charge of the bake sale, let her be in charge. If another volunteers to write letters, let him be the writer. Be on hand to help, troubleshoot, see that goals are set, ideas are completed, and results tallied, but leave the details of organizing individual objectives to your volunteers. Pivot People Secretary: Your committee secretary should be able to take notes at your main committee meetings and be able to type them, print them, and make copies to keep absent members informed and as a reference for members in attendance. Financial resource person: Both you and this member are in charge of counting received monetary donations, making deposits, and approving expenditures. In addition, your financial resource person should be able to provide sub-committee chairs with a budget for their events. Promotional organizer: Develops a committee to write ads, make posters, hang flyers, deliver handouts to businesses, etc. Needs to make sure that promotion of specific events is timely, appropriate to the event, and doesn't conflict with other aspects of your campaign. Your promotional organizer may also be in charge of correspondence like donor letters and thank you notes. Follow through sub-chair: Develops a committee to keep track of donated goods, pick up donated merchandise, do callbacks to prospective donors, and make deliveries of prizes and orders if necessary. Your first committee meetingIf you've followed this series of articles, you should be replete withfundraising ideas, strategies and tips . Print them out and have copies on hand for all committee members at your first meeting. Make your first meeting a productive, yet fun event. Bring a kitchen timer, paper and pencils for all, a pad of paper and pen for your committee secretary. If you haven't already, choose your pivot group. Present your committee with your basic fundraising goal and the timeline you have to achieve it. Be positive in your presentation. Detail the benefits of meeting your goals. Underplay the financial aspect. Brainstorm for ideas: Use the kitchen timer to spend the first 20 minutes brainstorming for ideas. Again, choose several of ourFundraising Ideasto get the ball rolling. Your new committee secretary can jot down the ideas. Motivating Committee MembersKeep an open mind. Listening to the input of your members helps motivate everyone as well as puts more ideas (possibly new and better!) on the table. Assign members to research the effectiveness of the most popular ideas and present their findings at the next meeting. Examine each idea using criteria such as: Expense Ease vs. Complexity Organization Time Needed Available resources Benefits vs. Disadvantages Potential profit or end value to your fundraiser Discuss the follow up on your fundraiser. Will there be awards? What type? How will they be distributed? Remember, these volunteers have chosen to be involved. Make sure they know they will be rewarded in some way for their efforts. Scheduling MeetingsDon't try to please everyone. Chances are you will never find a time to hold meetings that fits every schedule. At the end of each meeting, suggest a time for the next one. Keep a couple of alternate choices under your sleeve. If your first suggestion won't work for a majority of your members, then suggest an alternate time. Make sure that sub-committees have adequate time to meet and make plans, especially when their part of your fundraiser comes close on your calendar. Your Second Committee Meeting Choose your ideas and plan your timeline. Pencil in each idea on your calendar. Choose sub-chairs for each planned idea. Work with each sub-chair or schedule individual meetings with them to help initiate their projects. Develop a budget based on your goals. Remember to include all expenses in your final goal amount. Set a time for your next meeting, giving your sub-chairpersons time to organize and research their activity. Subsequent meetingsBy your next meeting, things should be rolling smoothly. Committees should be formed. Donation letters, press releases, etc. should be drafted Co-ordinate with other community events if possible (e.g. a community-wide garage sale is a great time for your organization to have a garage sale as well, while a bake sale during the county fair may not "fair" well!) Subsequent meetings need only be held to report progress, results, and iron-out any difficulties (if necessary). At the conclusion of your fundraiser, hold a final meeting to pass out awards, thank-yous and give yourself (and your volunteers) a big pat on the back for organizing an effective fundraiser and meeting (or exceeding!) your goal! http://www.wholesaleeventmerchandise.com/ ...read more
By Wholesale Event Merchandise February 13, 2010
Church Fundraising Whilechurch fundraiserscan use just about any fundraising ideas, they also have several avenues to explore that are more church-specific. Obviously, church fundraisers can promote their events and activities via church newsletters and bulletins. You can also ask for special pledges and donations from your membership. Although you shouldn't overlook these ideas, often your members may feel as if they contribute "enough" by their yearly pledges or weekly offerings, but there are some things you can do to sweeten the pot! When writing a donation letter to members, be specific in outlining your goals and ideas for achieving them. In addition to asking for monetary donations, take advantage of the wide range of talents in most church congregations and canvass your membership for help. Remember that a contribution doesn't have to be monetary. Donations of time, talent, and "product" to your fundraising efforts are just as important to meeting your goals. Check with your clergy or church administrative officials to find out about Any special talents within your congregation. Member owned or managed businesses that may donate special services or products to a fundraising event. Past fundraisers that have been successful within either your own church or your diocese. Although donation letters to members are effective ways to raise funds, canvassing by telephone is more personal whether asking for monetary donations or other types of assistance with your fundraiser. Here are some tips for fundraising by telephone: Each calling committee member should be furnished with a list of member names, addresses and phone numbers that include a space for a pledge amount, donation description, or a spot to write "No". Write a short script to make calling easier for your calling committee. The script should include an introduction, a description of your fundraiser, a request for a monetary donation, and a request for any other type of donation you need. (i.e. baked goods for a bake sale, clothing for a garage sale, etc.) In addition, the script should include a thank-you— either for the donation pledge or just a "thanks for your time." Use good telephone protocol. For instance: "My name is Ann Jones and I'm calling on behalf of St. Mary's church fundraiser for (insert the purpose of the fundraiser). Is this a good time for you? No? What would be a better time to call?" If your member indicates a better time to call, your committee member should make a note of that time to follow up. If the call is successful, the committee member should have a definite procedure for collecting the donation. A good idea when canvassing by phone is to form both a calling committee and a collections committee. Have callers pass on their information to collectors. In the case of donated goods like baked goods, callers should be able to tell the member where and when they can drop off their donation. When collecting donations through the mail, be sure to ask that the donation be sent by check instead of by cash. Also, be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your mailing. Here are a few of the many ways to interest the other members of your community in yourchurch fundraising: Put on a concert: If you have Barber Shoppers, Sweet Adelines, or a band in your congregation, ask them if they would hold a benefit at your church. You can also canvass your members for musical skills and organize a church band or orchestra. The concert can be either religious or secular music or a combination of both. Church Bazaars are always popular ways to raise money. Combine a craft sale, a bake sale, and some carnival games into one big event! Sell raffle tickets for a donated or member-made prize. Hold a white elephant sale or silent auction. Bingo anyone? Or use an idea from School Fundraisers and host a board game night. Sell a product, such as hats,bracelets,pens, candy, candles or Christmas wreaths door to door or by catalog or brochure. Give a prize to the church member with the most sales. Hire a guest speaker for a church luncheon. Hold a church luncheon, spaghetti supper, pancake breakfast or ice cream social. Create a church web site and sell a product or products on it. There are dozens of companies that offer fundraising products for sale. Publish a member cookbook and sell it on your website and/or at your church bazaar, bake sale, or spaghetti supper. As well as raising money for church projects, church fundraising is a great way to build community within your church and increase membership by showing that your church plays a vital and important role within your community. http://www.wholesaleeventmerchandise.com/ ...read more
By Wholesale Event Merchandise February 13, 2010
Whether you're the head of your PTO/PTA, a teacher, a parent volunteer, or a student, the fastest way to a successful fundraiser for your elementary or high school is to involve kids, parents, and your community. Involve the kids, I can't stress this enough! School fundraisersgive you a chance to help young people build character while understanding the dynamics of raising funds as well to meet your schools fundraising goals. Moreover, participation helps build school pride in your students. Furthermore, kids like to succeed. If you're clear about your goals and their jobs, you'll easily put together a hard-working team. Some fundraisers can be almost completely organized and conducted by high school students... Dress-down day: If your school has a dress code or kids wear uniforms, have a day when students can wear casual clothes. Charge each student who wants to participate. Make certain that you ask permission of your principal first. Use the same strategies for and Ugly Tie Day or Crazy Hat Day Band and choir concerts: Ask your school band or choir to donate their time by performing a benefit concert for your cause. Charge admission. Bag groceries: Ask a local grocery store if you can bag people's groceries for donations. Be certain to put up a sign saying how the donation will be used. Spelling bee: Look through some books or in the dictionary and come up with a list of words of increasing difficulty. Charge admission to the event. Battle of the bands: Great for high schools. Every town has a couple of "garage" or "basement" bands that are waiting to debut! Bands can get pledges for the number of audience votes they receive. You can charge admission to a voting audience as well! The winning band receives a prize or trophy. Games night: Organize an evening of board games. (e.g. Monopoly, Backgammon, Chess… use your imagination!) Entrants pay to play. Winners receive a prize. Involve parentsParents can be a big help with school fundraising. Help sell products by taking brochures and catalogs to their workplace. Chaperone student events like car washes and benefit dances. Contribute their "Secret Family Recipe" to the class cookbook. Ask employers to match the amount the kids raise. Ask permission to leave donation cans in their workplace. Donate goods to bake sales, craft sales, garage sales, white elephant sales, etc. Donate to pot luck dinners Supervise events like spaghetti dinners, luncheons. Involve the communityAlthough not everyone in a community has children is school, there are many ways you can turn school spirit into community spirit! Local businesses are often eager to show support for community schools and school activities in many ways.Monetary donationsSpace to host your bake or craft sale, hot dog stand, or car wash.Donations of big-ticket items for raffle prizesDonations of small prizes for carnivals and door prizes. Debate evening: Research a number of community or school related issues and invite various citizens to debate. Create a cover charge and/or take questions from the audience for a fee. (25 or 50 cents per question). The issues can be fun. For example, have your school principal argue that chewing gum during class enhances the learning process versus a student who argues against allowing gum chewing in class. Bingo: Host a bingo night in the school cafeteria. Progressive Dinners: Ask parents to cook specific foods, and then charge admission to a school dinner. Do this with ethnic recipes and make it international, each course priced a la carte. Alternatively, each course can be based on a subject (e.g. George Washington Cherry Pie for history, Hawaiian or Taco Pizza for Geography!) and served in the related room of your school. Put together a book of coupons donated by local business and sell them throughout the community. Host a pet show, flower show, etc. at your school. Charge entrants a fee. MoreSchool Fundraising Ideas: Product SalesFrequently elementary and high school classes raise funds for trips and extra curricular activities by selling a product. Many companies specialize in working with schools, letting kids sell everything from candy bars to candles and Christmas Wreaths to Valentines cards. The biggest problem with product sale fundraisers is safety. Discourage children from going door-to-door and encourage them to take orders only from friends, neighbors, and relatives even though prizes for the most sales may tempt them to go outside of their neighborhoods. GrantsMany philanthropic organizations, large corporations, and government agencies do have grants available for specific school projects and needs. Use the Internet to research these opportunities. On-line FundraisingAs PTOs, PTAs and other school organizations become more sophisticated, many develop their own websites that advertise their fundraisers and take donations. In constructing a fund-raising web site, be sure to be specific about your fundraiser. The purpose of your fundraiser The duration of your fundraiser The goal you hope to achieve In addition to taking donations, your fundraising web site can also sell products through the programs developed by one (or more) of the many on-line fundraising companies.http://wholesaleeventmerchandise.com/category_10/School-Fundraising-.htm ...read more
By Wholesale Event Merchandise February 13, 2010
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