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New To Fundraising? First Time Fundraising Tips

These quick and simple tips for first time fundraisers will get you on track and on your way to the first of many successful fundraisers.

1. Decide how Much Money Your Group Needs To Raise
   This will help you evaluate products and programs that will be ideal for your group.
   
   
2. Watch For Hidden Costs
   Don't let your group's profits disappear because of hidden costs (ex. shipping, prizes).
   
   
3. Give Yourself And Your Group Lots Of Time To Prepare
   Select your fundraising program early. This will give you lots of time to plan. Include your fundraiser on the school or community calendars and newsletters.
   
   
4. Timing
   Make sure to stagger the various fundraisers to avoid flooding your potential consumers and to avoid competing with other fundraisers.
   
   
5. Set Up Specific Dates And Stick To Them
   If you avoid setting clear target dates the campaign tends to drag on and often without direction.
   
   
6. Try To Conduct Fewer And More Effective Programs
   This will help maintain motivation and avoid "fundraising fatigue".
   
   
7. Rely On Your Fundraising Company's Expertise
   Ask lots of questions and use your fundraising company's suggestions and advice.
   
   
8. Stay Motivated Throughout The Program
   Some organizers tend to lose interest once the program is underway. Put a 10-12 day time limit on order taking. It's easier to stay motivated with clear goals and deadlines.
   
   
9. Communicate Clearly Before, During And After The Program Is Put In Place
   Keep energy levels high by reminding parents, teachers and other volunteers of the fundraising goals and deadlines.
   
   
10. Avoid Shipping And Ordering Problems
    Work closely with your volunteers and assure their order forms are legible and filled out completely.
    
    
11. Keep Copies Of The Order Forms
    Always keep copies of the order forms before you send them to your fundraising company.
    
    
12. Recruit Adult Volunteers Ahead Of Time
    This will make the distribution of the products to the volunteers more efficient.
    
    
13. Double Check Products Received Against Your Order Forms
    This needs to be done before the products are given to the volunteers to ensure that nothing is damaged or missing.
    
    
14. Keep Absent Volunteers Informed
    Don't forget to communicate the program's kick off and other important meetings to absent volunteers.
    
    
15. Have Fun!
    A good attitude = better success!

Fundraising Idea: Have An Auction

The most common way of doing an auction fundraiser is to have collectibles such as pro-athlete or celebrity signed items (jersey, baseball, bat or hockey stick, movie poster, video tape or DVD) up for sale. Your local pro-sports team or celebrities are usually willing to do this for a good cause. Consider an Online Auction for some of the more lucrative items that were donated. If you don't have a group member that can post them online, check out a local ebay retailer store to sell your items. Read about how you can sell your items online at iSOLDit.

For more fundraising resources and ideas, see... Fundraisers.com.

Earn $5 For Your Organization With Every Membership Sold

In these days of tightening budgets, BJ's Wholesale Club is proud to offer your school or youth organization a uniquely effective fundraising program: selling and renewing BJ's Memberships through the BJ's Fuel Your Fundraiser(SM) Program.

For every Membership sold or renewed, BJ's will donate $5 to your qualifying school or youth organization. To help you sell more Memberships, BJ's provides a special, money-saving Fuel Your Fundraiser Membership offer to individuals joining or renewing through your organization. Get all the details on the... IDEAS Page.

Fundraising Idea: Have A Bingo Night

Bingo nights are always popular so try a Bingo night fundraiser. Do it all in the same as a normal bingo does it; sell cards and call numbers in your school gym or church basement. Instead of money for prizes, give away items donated from your local businesses and be sure to give them recognition for them. As always, good publicity will make your bingo night fundraiser a success.

For more fundraising resources and ideas, see... Fundraisers.com.

Fundraising Idea: Organize A Night At The Races

Here's a fun a new way to have an exiting fundraising event. Not actual gambling, "A Night At The Races" is a re-creation and meant for fun. With. People watch a pre-taped horse race and bet and win "funny money". Raffles are usually drawn throughout the event. What you need to get started, including the video tape, race program and race tickets are all provided by companies like "A Night At The Races".

For more fundraising resources and ideas, see the Fundraisers.com... IDEAS Page.

CSRwire: The Corporate Social Responsibility Newswire Service

If you're looking for the perfect newswire service to promote your company cause, take a look at what marketing specialists are using to help promote their cause marketing campaigns. CSRwire is a specialized newswire service designed to reach key audiences with corporate social responsibility announcements.

For more information, see the... CSRwire Homepage