Cornell College Department

Contact Info

Director of Student Activities

Megan Comer

 

FYI: Fundraising

 

  • 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?
      • Ten bake sales in the last two weeks means something different will probably raise more money
    • Step by Step Guide to Fundraising:
      • Step 1: Examine your organizations 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
   
Maintained by: Megan Comer Last Update: May 15, 2008 3:26 pm
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