Guide
- Meet with your group. It is often helpful to designate a project or use for the funds. Look at past efforts and their success; this will indicate what to expect. Select key dates: date to begin and date to end. Be sure to allow for two full weekends. Start on a Thursday or Friday, continue through two weekends, and end on a Monday or Tuesday. Tuesday is ideal; it allows for a deadline reminder to be sent home on Monday. Be sure to notify all sellers and parents of these dates.
- Set a goal for the funds. Be realistic in the goal, and break it down by sellers so you know how to achieve the goal. If there are 100 potential sellers, then what percentage will participate? Decide how checks need to be made out, and be sure to let sellers know; this will alleviate hesitation in giving out a blank check. You can even have us print this on your order form to help customers and make it easier for them to make a purchase.
- Enlist volunteers to help with the fundraiser. You will need them to pass out flyers, assemble the orders and funds, and place the order.
- Designate a shipping location, and be sure to schedule volunteers to help when the order arrives at the designated location. Orders will need to be distributed to the sellers when they arrive. Send a letter home with students to announce the upcoming fundraiser, goals, and how the funds will be used. This will help build excitement and increase sales. Be sure to include the key dates for the fundraiser and all information available.
- Have a kick off assembly or meeting. Tell the sellers why they are raising funds, and how those funds will be used — show pictures if they are available of what the funds will be used for. This helps build enthusiasm for the fundraising effort.
- Sell — be sure the sellers collect funds as the orders are taken. This will alleviate collection issues later, and your group will have the funds up front. Collection up front will make the fundraiser essentially over when the products are distributed to the sellers.
- Remind Frequently — be sure to announce often the fundraiser and remind the sellers of the time available. Announce the ending date and when and where orders need to be turned in as completed. Build the hype about the project the funds will provide.
- Allow for orders to be turned in late before the order is completed and turned in to GetOrganizedHere.com. Assemble orders and verify all funds have been turned in prior to completing the order.
- Have a wrap-up assembly or meeting to announce the outcome of the fundraiser. Recognize the top sellers and top group. Announce the delivery date and plan for parents to pick up the orders to deliver to customers. Be sure to notify the parents as soon as possible so they will be available to help the sellers if the merchandise is heavy.
- Distribute GetOrganizedHere.com products. Be sure to have plenty of help on hand for this task. There will be multiple boxes and may be heavy to some. You may want to arrange for a two wheel dolly to help with this task. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
- Recognize and Evaluate the success. Schedule a wrap-up meeting for the committee. Critique what was done well and what was done not so well. Be sure to evaluate all aspects of the fundraiser, no matter how small the details. Be sure to keep files of notes and hand-outs. This is the most critical step in any fundraising.
|
