
It can be daunting to select the best fundraiser for your school, group or organisation. Fundraising is hard work and you want to get it right the first time to ensure you don’t get your volunteers or families offside with multiple attempts.
We have put together a few hints to make your decision easier. If it’s one thing we know, it’s FUNdraising!
Do your research first
Don’t second guess which fundraising program your group will support – ask them what they want. Even if you narrow down the selection to 2-3 options it gives everyone a chance to feel involved creating a closer connection to the program (which means more profit).
Take the weather into account
In warmer weather programs like sunscreen, raffles with holiday prizes and sport or activity based fundraisers such as the My School Walk or Run For Fun may be more productive. In cooler weather programs like Crest chocolates or Billy G’s Cookie Dough might appeal more (to name a few).
Plan around seasonal events
Seasonal links also prove productive such as Cookie Dough at Christmas time promoted as gift ideas or entertaining treats, greeting card packs or linking up a raffle fundraiser with an annual event or fete to value add and boost profits further.
Costs versus benefits
Weigh up the cost of the program, the amount of time it will take for volunteers to execute and the end profit potential based on a low and high response. Pausing for a moment to ensure it is feasible, tangible and profitable will ensure you know exactly what you are getting into prior to committing.
Exclusivity and value
The harder the product is to get the more profitable it will be. When deciding which fundraiser will work best for your school ensure that the price is competitive and that it is in reach of your supporters. No matter how great the product is, if they simply can’t afford it in the weekly budget they can’t support the fundraiser no matter how much they want to.
Fundraising, when it’s done right, does work and we see it every single day. This month a small Kindy in Murray Bridge with 150 families sold an impressive 392 Billy G’s Cookie Dough tubs. At $4 profit per tub that’s a great success.