fundraising BY JEFF ELLENBERGER
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Fundraising Beneficial to students and the bottom line
As a direct result of current uncertain economic times, many schools and school organizations are relying on fundraising to bridge the gap (fill the holes) in their budgets. More so now than ever, the importance of a successful fundraiser is critical. The benefits of fundraising can be two-fold. An effectively executed fundraiser can supplement tight budgets and possibly avoid program cuts. Just as important, the fundraising experience, can be both fulfilling and educational for the students involved. Select your fundraiser, then work with students to set a realistic (attainable) goal and develop a plan of action. Use this opportunity to teach students how to create a business plan. Engaging them to develop their own strategies for marketing, advertising, sales coverage, scheduling, and distribution will create a more meaningful and successful student experience. Use the “learning tool” approach for your next fundraiser to make it more effective, more educational, and more fun. With many options from which to choose, selecting a fundraiser may seem complicated. Carefully consider the many options available, then follow your instincts. Base your selection on what you feel will be of most www.seenmagazine.us
interest to both the school community and your community at large.Then, make sure the product you’ve selected meets your school’s approval. Once your decision has been made, be sure to choose a reputable fundraising company. Do not hesitate to ask for customer testimonials and referrals. Check out ratings with the Better Business Bureau. Ask how long the company has been in business. Is customer satisfaction guaranteed? Needless to say, it is important to
deal with a well established, reputable fundraising company that stands behind its product. Like you would expect from any other business, products that fail or arrive damaged should be replaced at no additional charge. Check the bottom line and look for hidden costs. Make sure that all of the support materials you need, such as brochures and order forms, are furnished free of charge. Remember, any add-on costs, like shipping (shipping should be free!), detract from your profit. Keep it simple! The group leader in charge of the program does not want to be saddled with complicated tally sheets and order forms. It should not require an MBA to calculate your profit. Work with products that are easy to sell and with a program that’s easy to administrate. Remember, this is supposed to be fun for both the sellers and the group leader. Customer service is vital! When and if questions arise, there should be a tollfree number available to connect with a trained customer service staff to directly handle any questions you may have (i.e. running the program, questions regarding product, additional orders, tabulation, payment, etc.). The price of the product is key to success! Let’s face it, money is still tight. A fundraiser with products selling for see FUNDRAISING page 96 SouthEast Education Network FALL 2010
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