25 tips for fundraising

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tips& ideas1Choose the right fundraiser for your group.The most important consideration in fundraising is to choose the right fundraiser for the group. Take your time. Choosing the right fundraiser allows for financial goals to be reached while making parents happy.

2Use a reputable fundraising company.Finding the right fundraising company can be intimidating. Talk to other people, talk to several companies and get multiple offers in writing up-front before deciding. Research your options on the internet, request information, make calls and check references!

3Represent value & quality.Not all fundraising products are created equal. Choose only quality products that add value! Don't try to peddle fundraising items that are not quality. Present yourself with pride and respect and your customers will appreciate it.

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4Reduce number of fundraisersDon’t stretch yourself too thin with smaller fundraisers with low profit margins. The best way to hit a fundraising goal is to have one main fundraiser and put all your effort behind it. In preparation of this heavy-hitting fundraiser, downplay the fundraisers that won't make a big impact on the group.

5Ditch the little guysSuccessful fundraising groups have made the decision to do away with fundraisers that don't perform well. Instead of always appearing to have a hand out, these groups let parents know that they expect participation in one main fundraiser. Although it may seem hard to turn down free money, statistics show that getting rid of the smaller fundraisers will increase your overall fundraising revenue and prevent “fundraising fatigue.”

6Market heavy-hittersUse every opportunity to let parents know you request their participation in your main fundraising efforts. Instead of focusing limited time and resources on small fundraisers, take that opportunity to let them know that you are limiting the number of fundraisers so that everyone will participate in the main fundraiser. Mention this main fundraiser often before and during the fundraiser!

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HINT: There is no substitute for getting the word out!

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tips& ideas7Focus your effortsWhen you are ready, make a list of the items you will focus on. Put the most impactful efforts at the top of the list. When the time comes to get the fundraiser underway, focus your efforts towards creating fundraising success! Don't let anything distract you from holding one successful fundraiser per semester.

8Incentivize studentsPrizes, silly contests, drawings and school-wide glory are all huge motivators for students. Giving gifts and recognition doesn't have to cost a lot. Creating excitement will ensure that kids get involved to help their school!

Ideas - Cumulative student prize programs, ice cream parties, extra recess, lunch with the principal, classroom pizza party, drawing for a bike or other fun item.

9Incentivize teachersReward the teachers for participating and they will help fuel the excitement of the fundraiser. Some fundraising companies will provide free product to teachers that help support the efforts of the kids. Not recognizing the influence teachers have on the success of a fundraiser is a mistake. A teacher can have fun with it or put a negative spin on it depending. Give them something to be happy about whenever possible.


tips& ideas10Incentivize ParentsParents need motivation too. It’s crucial that they understand the importance of this fundraiser – i.e. what the money is going towards, why it’s necessary, what impact it will have on their child. Parents ultimately say 'yes' or 'no' to the fundraiser when it comes home and we know they often get out there and help get sales themselves – so incentivizing parents so they will get involved is the best way to make the fundraiser a success.

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11Involve the communityThe community will rally around a school if they know the school needs help. They do not have to have children going to the school, they just need to know that their local community needs their help. If there is a way to get the point across that they are needed, they will step up and help. Society is built on giving and support for others, so get out there into the community and let them know you need their help!

Ideas - If possible, offer student prizes that also appeal to parents. Provide a special offer to parents, have a drawing for participating in the fundraiser and make it easy for relatives to purchase items online. Offer quality products to make parents look good!


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Involve the PrincipalMake sure the Principal is as excited and is willing to get everyone else involved. Have them offer up a challenge to the school - In exchange for meeting a goal, the principal or another favorite teacher will do something silly. A good head shaving will create all the excitement needed! Statistics show that when the principal is supportive, sales soar! Don't forget to have them send a note about the fundraiser to their Principal’s email list!

Ideas - Shave head, tape to wall, throw an ice cream social for the school. The more incentives, the better the fundraiser! One of the most successful incentives we’ve seen was sitting in a tree for a day - Just about anything fun will work!

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Keep it simpleThe quickest way for students, teachers and parents to lose interest in a fundraiser is to make it confusing. Be straightforward in your goal and how you are going to reach it. Set an expectation for each parent so they know what they are responsible for raising. Keep the fundraiser to two weeks and offer only easily understandable incentives.

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tips& ideasKick it offHost a fun school spirit assembly or party to kick off the event. It will energize everyone and give you a chance to explain the goal and mission of the event. A favorite teacher in the school is usually your best option but there are professional entertainers that can really bring the excitement up a notch. Regardless of how big of a deal you make the fundraising kick-off, make it fun and remember that anything you do will be better than just sending the fundraising information home without letting the students in on how to participate.

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Announce, Announce, AnnounceDon’t catch your school by surprise and cause a lot of undue stress. Get people excited about the fundraiser months before the actual fundraiser. Let everyone know when the fundraiser takes place, what is expected and when to turn in materials. There is no substitute for getting the word out on the fundraiser! Use morning announcements, email, printed newsletters, signs & banners, reminder notices, etc. to communicate.

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Fundraising ToolsYour fundraising company should have a set of tools available for you to market the fundraiser with and make running the fundraiser easier. Use these tools. Chances are, anything a fundraising company is providing is done so because they work - so hang posters and use promotions offered to you wherever possible.

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tips& ideasDaily incentivesGiving out prizes everyday keeps the momentum up throughout the whole fundraiser. Good fundraising companies can provide items at no cost for you to use to increase excitement surrounding the fundraiser during the fundraiser. Look for a promotion that encourages students to report sales daily!

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Make it exciting - Raffles & other drawings

When you compare fundraising companies, ask what raffle or drawing prizes they will provide and get it in writing. You can always add some additional prizes besides the ones offered through your fundraising company as well. Use the intercom system to reward students daily with these prizes. It's quite natural for excitement to fade a bit over the course of the fundraiser, and a drawing can rejuvinate everyone’s spirit and get them back on the right track!

Ideas - Bikes, electronics, toys and games. If you have time, get some local businesses to donate gift cards or services.

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Timing is importantThe time of year you host your fundraiser is critical. Don’t schedule the big fundraiser right before vacation or holidays. Make sure not to schedule a main fundraiser around some other fundraising effort (such as a book fair). Don’t have it drag on for a whole month, you’ll lose enthusiasm and your momentum.

HINT: Consider starting your fundraiser as soon as possible to beat other groups ‘out of the gate’!

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tips& ideas20Participation is keyA good fundraiser requires the participation of students, parents and administration. Participation is where your level of success will be decided. It's hard to imagine what would happen if nearly every parent participated. There are schools that have mandatory fundraisers and have the highest success rates. On the flip side, schools that don't set goals and put in minimal effort usually have very few participants and small profits. Even an increase in ten students could equal a thousand dollars in additional fundraising money. Just a little bump in participation equals a large amount of money back to the school so every single student counts!

Don't confuse the issue.If you are hosting a fundraiser, host a fundraiser - Put your expectations out there and focus your efforts on succeeding. If you are hosting an event that is not a fundraiser first, don't make your fundraising efforts obvious. Say for instance you are hosting a safety fair. Do not call it the 'Safety Fair Fundraiser' for instance. Keep your money making efforts to a minimum. The point is, you shouldn't appear to always have a hand out. Save your money requests for when you really need the money.

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The importance of asking for what you needSet clear expectations. Be very clear to students and parents about the goal of your fundraisers. It's ok to set high expectations too as long as you don't always have a hand out. Make your request clear. There is proof that if you ask for what you really need, you will get it. Don't feel like you have to hide the facts. If you need $80 per family, for instance, let it be known.

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tips& ideas23The education behind the fundraiser - teaching safetyFundraisers also provide a good opportunity for students to learn about the safety and etiquette of selling, math, handling money and the importance of community. These days, however, fundraising companies do not recommend door -to-door sales. Point out who kids can safely sell to and make sure parents accompany children to neighbors houses.

24The importance of online effortsDon’t forget about internet sales for remote relatives and friends. As Internet shopping has increased in popularity so have fundraising sales online. Use a company that has a solid online presence to attract sales from out-of-state family and friends.

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Wrapping it up - Delivery, post sale issues When your sale is over, get your fundraising order placed right away. Because orders have to be processed on the fundraising company end, you will want to get the orders in as soon as possible to avoid any possible delay. Use tracking and reports to stay 'in the know' about your sale and make sure to keep a cool head when it comes to damaged and missing items. When a lot of product is sold, chances are good something will be damaged or missing. A good fundraising company will have a system in place to make this process simple and you should not have to do anything. Most product fundraising companies will replace chocolates, even if they were eaten on the bus!

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about usBelieve Kids is not your average fundraising company. Regardless of whether you use us or another company, we will provide any information we can to help you succeed.

Please get in touch with us if we can answer any question, big or small.

Phone: 1-877-7-BELIEVE (1.877.723.5438)Colorado: (303) 200-1290Email: [email protected]: www.BelieveKids.com

25 tips for fundraising

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