Fundraising Tips & Ideas
Before you fundraise:
- Plan your budget a year in advance: Preparation is key!
- How many educational events is your group interested in?
- Social events?
- Conferences or trips?
- You can get additional funding from Student Senate
- If you are planning on doing a raffle (anything to do with a "game of chance") you must contact Carol Stock at the Commons Information Desk to register and receive information about paying taxes on your proceeds (usually amounts to a very small amount).
Still need Funds?
Guidelines for getting the best bang for your buck, so to speak:
- Is your fundraiser unique?
Step by Step Guide to Fundraising:
- Step 1: Examine your organization's finances
- Why do you want or need to have a fund-raiser?
- How much money do you already have in your account?
- How much money do you need to raise?
- What is your fund-raising goal, i.e., amount of money in certain amount of time?
- Step 2: Program Planning
- When is the program, event, or project for which you need funds?
- By what date must you have the money to ensure that your program, event, or project can occur?
- Utilize the backwards planning method to successfully plan your event.
- Step 3: Develop a Fundraiser
- What type of fundraiser do you want to have? When making this decision consider the following:
- The interests and talents of your members (what kinds of things will your group take interest in and follow through on?)
- The time of the year (i.e., December is not the best month for a car wash)
- How many members you have (big activities need lots of help)
- Know how and when you can fundraise:
- According to The Compass, "Soliciting or fundraising in locations on campus by students or student groups requires registration at the Commons Information Desk. Goods and/or services offered may not be in direct competition with those contracted by the College. (i.e. food service, bookstore)."
- Know how to publicize your fundraising event:
- See publicity tips and guidelines
- Tell people why you are fundraising-for an event or trip, they are more likely to contribute if they know the reason.
- Are your members enthusiastic about the fund-raiser?
- What are the hidden costs of your fund-raiser?
- When selling merchandise consider:
- Is there any up-front investment required?
- How long have they been in business? Ask for references or check with the Better Business Bureau.
- If samples are used, who is liable for loss or damage?
- How is the merchandise shipped, what is the delivery time, who is responsible for unloading?
- Are unsold goods returnable? Are they picked up by a company representative or shipped back by the local group?
- Who pays the shipping charge?
- Does the product have a guarantee?
- What sort of support (i.e. local representative, record keeping, distribution kit) is provided?
- Step 4: Evaluate your fundraiser
