Fundraising Made Easy

Written on December 30th, 2019

Fundraising is an important way for your organization to collect money, but it can cause stress. Asking people to donate money is often intimidating! But with a little planning, your fundraising efforts can pay off...literally. Whether you work for a nonprofit or your child is trying to raise money for a sports team or school group, there are strategies that will help ensure success. 

Set Goals

The first and most important step is to set goals. This comes down to finances: how much money are you trying to raise? Are you counting on donations to help cover operating costs, fund an expansion, or pay for team uniforms or a school trip? Determining how much money is required beforehand will help motivate you and provides a roadmap for reaching your goals. If your goal is to sell 50 coupon books and you are at 45, don't be afraid to let customers know you're close to your goal. This may persuade them to purchase a book if they were on the fence, and often, they'll be willing to buy more than one.

By the way, once you've reached your goal, don't give up. Raise the bar even higher! The money you are collecting is going to a good cause, so it never hurts to exceed your initial number. 

Make a List

Every successful victory depends on a good game plan. When it comes to fundraising, that means putting together a list of people who are likely to support your efforts. Obvious choices include family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. Even if these peers don't live close by, you can always reach out to them via email, text, or a good old-fashioned telephone call. Apps such as PayPal and Venmo make transferring money a breeze. 

Don't limit your opportunities to only those people on your list. Consider teaming up with other kids and parents from within the group and ask for permission to set up a sales table in a high-traffic area such as a grocery store. You can then divide up the proceeds equally among all who participated. 

Part of your strategy should include having a conversation with teammates who are selling the same items. Everybody can map out a sales territory instead of hitting up the same houses multiple times asking for donations.

Be Prepared

Asking for money is hard, but if you approach it with the right attitude, you'll be prepared—for both yeses and nos. Be honest and sincere when asking for donations by letting people know what the funds will be used for. Keep in mind that it never hurts to ask. Many people are willing to help kids who approach them with a request in person because doing so takes courage. 

Dealing with rejection can be tough, so explain the various reasons why people are likely to say no ahead of time. One nice thing about coupon books is that people are generally more willing to make a donation when there is some value to them. Coupon books provide them with ample opportunity to actually save money in the long run...and customers tend to be repeat buyers, purchasing new coupon books every year. Be sure your child is prepared to answer common questions, such as, "Can I pay by check (and who do I make it out to)?"

Always carry your fundraising materials with you. You never know when you will come across people interested in supporting your cause (e.g., doctor, dentist, family events). 

Safety Rules

It's very important to reinforce safety rules with children before they set out on their fundraising efforts.
Be sure to emphasize the following:

• When selling door-to-door, never go alone.
• Absolutely do not go inside any unknown house.
• Run away if something feels uncomfortable.
• Don't sell after dark—even with a parent.
• Don't carry cash. Give it to your parent to turn in.

 

By following these tips, your fundraising efforts are likely to be successful. Happy selling!

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