15 Tips For First Time Fundraising

1. Decide how much money your group needs to raise  
This will help you evaluate fundraising products and fundraisers that will be ideal for your group.
 
2. Watch for hidden costs 
Don't let your group's fundraising profits disappear because of hidden costs (ex. shipping, prizes).
 
3. Give yourself & your group lots of time to prepare 
Select your fundraiser 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 & 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 & more effective fundraising programs 
This will help maintain motivation and avoid "fundraising fatigue".
 
7. Rely on your fundraising company's expertise 
Ask lots of questions & use your fundraising company's suggestions & advice.
 
8. Stay motivated throughout the fundraiser
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 & after the fundraiser 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 fundraiser's kick off and other important meetings to absent volunteers.
 
15. Have Fun! 
A good attitude = better success.