Posted on April 28th, 2009 in fundraiser | Comments Off
Juan Franco asked:
(c) 2008 AIM Fundraising
Starting a new fundraiser has probably been going on since caveman days. As long as there are youth sports, cheerleaders, PTA and PTO and other non profit groups, there will always be fundraising. When planning your next new fundraiser, there are some fundamental things that must be considered that could help you double or more your previous sales.
Event
Choose a type of event that coincides with your type of group and your fundraising goals. If all you are wanting to accomplish with any new fundraiser that you are planning is to raise just a few hundred dollars, then the cost should be fairly low. In cases like this, doing something like a soccer-thon or car wash fundraiser will do. If on the other hand you need to raise thousands of dollars for a senior trip you might need to consider fundraisers such as teddy bear fundraisers, cookie dough fundraisers, or any number of other unique fundraising ideas. When the needs are larger, it may be time to consider raising money over a few different programs and times of the year. Your specific needs will dictate the type of new fundraiser idea you should be considering.
Volunteers
Never over look the hidden talents or things that might be of interest to your group. For instance, you would not want to ask the football players to do a teddy bear fundraiser. While that might be a unique fundraiser, you probably will not have a huge sale simply because those boys are not going to be that enthused about them. Now, if what you are planning is a cheerleader fundraiser, or a new fundraiser for little kids or an all girl group, then a teddy bear fundraiser should work just fine.
Choosing The Right Fundraising Product
After first taking into consideration the interest of your volunteer force, you will also want to consider the attractiveness of your fundraising product itself. Right now, in America, the number one product in fundraising is frozen food, specifically frozen cookie dough. Today there are scores of frozen cookie dough brands available for fundraising, but without a doubt the top brands are Otis Spunkmeyer and Chippery cookie dough.
Once a frozen product has been sold in your neighborhood however, you are forced to find a new fundraiser that will be “the next best thing.This is where it gets sort of interesting. I could fill a couple of hundred pages on this subject alone. There are so many things that must be considered when trying to come up with this “new fundraiser.” Things like the type of group you have, the age range of your group, the time of year. The list could go on. There are products however that have stood the test of time and consistently make groups the money they need. There are in fact some new fundraiser products that I can see will be giving frozen products a push off of the mountain top.
Some things have stood the test of time like Christmas wrap, gift items, candles and various food products. There are some new fundraisers like teddy bear fundraisers and Interstate Batteries that are making a showing now to displace the old tried and true fundraisers.
Given that the scope of this article does not include how to properly choose that new fundraiser, I would simply say at this point that it would be wise to consult a professional fundraising company for that advice.
Don’t Let Your Ego Get In The Way
In the quest for new fundraiser ideas, it is important to keep in mind that there are some things that you may initially think will or will not work. It is human nature to pick the product for our new fundraiser based on our own personal taste. The thought process goes, I would not buy that product line so it must be a loser of a fundraiser. If this were the only thing to consider about what works in the marketplace, the would be no Starbucks or Seatle’s Best Coffee. I hate coffee! There would also be a Sears on every corner and whoever thought that putting a retractable wheel in the bottom of a shoe would be a big deal?
When planning for any new fundraiser it is important to consider some basic options to help you decide which fundraising product is the right one for your group. The best option is to get out of the way and simply go with the things that work.
Posted on April 26th, 2009 in fundraising | Comments Off
Jessi McCafferty asked:
Everyone who is involved with organizing fundraising events is pressured to come up with great and innovative fundraising events ideas to collect funds for their causes and organizations.
This is especially necessary today, since more and more people and companies are feeling the effects of the financial crisis. They think that brilliant and imaginative fundraising events ideas can easily entice people to donate or support the endeavor. And they can. The number one rule of fundraising is that if your idea is good, your fundraiser will most likely be profitable. Unfortunately, it isn’t easy to come up with fundraising event ideas. So what can one do if he or she needs these ideas for the sake of their fundraising event? Here are some suggestions:
Brainstorm
The organization should have a meeting, where everyone is required to suggest ideas for their upcoming fundraiser events. This way, every idea is heard, and the part can decide which ideas to try. The group can also collectively try and come up with fundraising events ideas on the spot. Having a group of people come up with ideas for fundraiser events removes the pressure of the responsibility from one person and passes it to everyone on the organization. Two heads are better than one, they say - so the heads of an entire organization can definitely come with better ideas for the fundraising event.
Hire the service of experts
Not all organizations can come up with fundraising event ideas. Furthermore, not everyone can organize these events by themselves. Beginners and those who are just starting out with this endeavor should consider hiring the service of professional fundraiser. These professionals are usually paid a pre-determined amount or a percentage of the revenue acquired through the fundraising event. Many are against this since this will obviously decrease the revenue, but it is a smart option for those who are not sure if they can pull off the effort.
Research
The best way to know what type of fundraising events succeed is through researching. There are many resources available on this topic, so this shouldn’t be too difficult. For instance, one can go online and look for tips and ideas. Others can go the traditional way and consult other organizations and individuals who have already successfully organized a fundraiser. Ask them what factors helped make their fundraising event succeed. Go to different fundraising events to see what attracts people and donors.
Improve previous ideas
Finally, when all else fails, one need not come up with imaginative fundraising events ideas - he or she can merely elaborate previous fundraising events of the group or the organization that worked and succeeded in collecting funds. In fact, this is what a number of major non-profit organizations are doing now. Instead of using new ideas, they stick to their old ones, since they are already tried and tested. In short, they are already guaranteed to work. One can merely improve some details and points in order to make it an even bigger success. This is less risky compared to trying out new ways to raise funds.
Posted on April 25th, 2009 in fundraiser | Comments Off
Juan Franco asked:
(c) 2008 AIM Fundraising
When it is time to set up for your next unique fundraiser, you may find yourself overwhelmed. There is so much to consider. The choices you make may seem insignificant but they can make the difference between having a good fundraiser or a great one.
One of the most important things to decide is what you will do for your incentives for your new fundraiser. It is not only the product line but the incentive you choose which can make or break your fundraising campaign. Using the services of a professional fundraising company is one of the best ways to ensure that things will go smoothly. They do this kind of thing professionally and will guide you in your decisions.
Here are 7 useful tips to use when deciding which products, incentives and fundraising consultant to use in your fundraiser.
1.) Quality
Does your consultant firm offer a high quality line of products? Value is extremely important to your target customers. In order to succeed your customer must feel that they are getting a good value for their investment.
2.) Support Materials
When choosing a fundraising consultant it is important that you take a good look at any support materials that they offer such as product catalogs. A nice looking brochure work to dramatically increase your sales.
3.) Hidden Costs
Hidden costs can sometimes be overwhelming. Make sure that you understand and have taken into account the cost of catalogs, brochures, and shipping. Remember, any costs that you overlook are going to come off of the bottom line.
One thing to consider is that not all cost to your group are bad cost. For instance if you are pitching in on the cost of a particular prize or two in order to offer it at a lower prize level than it would normally be offered, those cost will come back to you 10 times over in the form of extra profit.
4.) Free Sample Pack
Does your fundraising consultant firm offer a free sample pack? If so use this to evaluate the quality of your fundraising product line before placing an order.
5.) Policy
Inquire up front as to the policy of your fundraising consultant with regard to replacement goods in the event of product damage during shipping. Discover what the terms of your fundraising company’s return policy is as well.
6.) Special Delivery
Will your product require special delivery methods such as refrigeration? Spoiled products are always a big concern when dealing with foodstuffs, especially frozen items.
One good thing about frozen cookie dough however, is that it does not require refrigeration like raw breads or cheesecake do. Take care in choosing your delivery area. If the cookie dough is delivered and placed in an area that is out of direct sunlight and not near a heat source brands of cookie dough like Chippery and Otis Spunkmeyer will deliver without the need for refrigeration. That is because sugar is actually a preservative in it’s own right and these particular brand have the lowest water content of other fundraising cookie dough brands.
7.) References
What is the reputation of your fundraising company? Ask for a list of past customers and contact them regarding the performance of your fundraising company. You might also ask what items were best sellers.
Choosing the proper fundraising company is very important to your fundraising efforts. These Seven tips will help you to choose a professional fundraising company that will work with you to ensure that your fundraiser is an overwhelming success.
Posted on April 25th, 2009 in fundraiser | Comments Off
Anna Hart asked:
Tupperware? That was my initial thought, too. I pictured the Tupperware parties of which I’d heard so often - and the sole party I intended. How could you raise money with a Tupperware fundraiser if everyone had to attend a party somewhere? And who would host all those parties?!
No Party Needed!
Then I learned that a Tupperware fundraiser is not based on parties. A Tupperware fundraiser is run much like any other fundraiser, except that you offer a quality, durable product instead of cheap consumables.
Think back to the last fundraiser you had. Maybe you offered an array of candles - or coupon books. Many of your workers felt they were pushing products people neither wanted nor needed. Instead of appealing to the buyer, they were trying to sell products that were easy to get at low prices.
It all boiled down to a basic feeling that you were dealing with mediocre products, which produced mediocre sales efforts.
Tupperware Fundraisers Are Successful
The Tupperware company offers Tupperware fundraisers for non-profit organizations and schools - and a Tupperware fundraiser is likely to be highly successful.
Tupperware fundraisers offer a straight 40% profit! How much can you raise? How much are you determined to raise?
Imagine you commit to raise $12,000 for a new, public playground. The children in your neighborhood have no place to play. Parents have no place to go and play with their little ones. You need swings, sandboxes, brightly-painted jungle gyms, and some open, green space.
You manage to round up a group of 200 volunteers who are willing to participate in your Tupperware fundraiser. Each volunteer is encouraged to set a goal of 5 or more customer orders, and told that the average customer will usually place an order of about $30. They believe it, and set out.
At the end of your Tupperware fundraiser, each volunteer turns in orders totaling over $150. Some submit orders totaling $200 or $300. Together, your group sold a total of more than $30,000 retail! Your 40% profit comes to much more than $12,000. You reached your ambitious goal - and Tupperware pays all shipping for Tupperware fundraisers.
Your Tupperware fundraiser was successful. Your public playground will soon be a reality!
Products
Tupperware fundraisers succeed in part because of the product’s reputation. Most people are familiar with the Tupperware line of products. Some may have wanted to purchase but did not want to attend a party, or could not find a local dealer.
A Tupperware fundraiser succeeds because you sell exclusive Tupperware products that are not offered in other catalogs. People are eager to get these unique products, and order readily. Baby Boomers, who grew up with Tupperware, are especially positive toward Tupperware fundraisers.
Running a Successful Tupperware Fundraiser
Tupperware fundraisers are simplified by the fact that the company provides everything you need - including a fundraising manager for guidance and advice. There are things you will want to do, though, that go beyond the fundraiser packets.
Here are a few tips to make your Tupperware fundraiser successful.
1. Volunteers should be clearly taught how your project will help the people to whom they hope to sell. Customers want to know “what’s in it for me” more than how wonderful the cause itself is. If your Tupperware fundraiser is to raise money for a playground, how will it benefit the Baby Boomer on the corner whose children are grown adults? She may like your Tupperware, but she should also be shown how your playground will benefit her.
2. Volunteers should believe passionately in your cause. They should be so involved that they can see little red and blue swing seats, with happy toddlers running toward them. They should have a keen desire to make that vision come true - a desire that will carry them beyond rejection.
3. Volunteers should believe passionately that your Tupperware fundraiser is the best possible way to raise the money you need. Your fundraiser manager will likely give a demonstration of the products. Be sure every volunteer attends and accepts the product enthusiastically.
4. Teach volunteers to convey the “I like you” message to every potential customer. People like to be liked, and will more readily order from your Tupperware fundraiser volunteers if they appear to like each customer sincerely.
5. With the “I like you” message, convey trustworthiness. The two together tend to convince customers that you have their best interest in mind.
Tupperware fundraisers have been successful for many groups. They can be so for your group, too, but you must work smart to make it happen.
