U Name It Wristbands

So you've decided to hold a fundraiser. Now what?

Let us help you with your next fundraiser. Here are some of the basic things you will need to do so your group will have a well-planned, successful and enjoyable fundraising experience.

Determine your fundraising goals

How much money does your group need to raise?
When do you need the money you are raising?
How many participants will be involved with your fundraiser?
When are you planning on starting the fundraiser?
Do you have a volunteer base to help with the fundraiser?
How important is the ease of administration?
Have you held fundraisers before? How would you rate their success?

Plan your fundraiser

Set an objective: The objective you set for your group should include a financial goal. It is always best if for fundraiser addresses a specific purpose. For example, your objective could be to raise $5,000 for playground equipment. Supporters are more likely to support a specific purposed fundraiser than one just raising money costs to the Annual Band Competition.

Set a deadline: We strongly suggest your fundraiser lasts a maximum of 1-2 weeks. We believe that fundraisers that last less than one week will not give participants adequate time and those longer than two weeks remove any sense of urgency.

Review your group's makeup: Think about how many of your group members will be participating in the fundraiser. It will help you organize a selling strategy.

Motivate your group: It is important to maintain close and constant contact with your group members, and to motivate and encourage them constantly. The most successful fundraisers are those in which the participants receive some direct benefit from the fundraiser. Benefits include not only the purpose of the fundraiser but also incentives to perform well in the fundraising effort.

Should I offer incentive prizes?

It is very important for fundraising participants to benefit from the fundraiser. You probably do not need to offer separate prizes for a group raising money for a trip or for tournament costs. However, larger school-wide type fundraisers usually benefit from prize incentives.

Best-seller prizes: Offer a prize to the individual who raises the most money, or sells the most units.

Draw prizes: Every participant who sells a pre-determined minimum amount is entered into a drawing for cash prizes or other merchandise

Selling tips

What to say: When talking to a potential supporter, you may want to say: "Hello, my name is ________________, and I'm raising money for _______________. Would you like to support our group by purchasing ________________? We could really use your help." Always smile, be polite and most importantly, be enthusiastic about your cause.

List as many potential supporters as you can before you begin approaching people for support. Consider family, friends, neighbors and other people whom you feel would be interested in your cause.

Go where the people are: shopping centers! It's what fighter pilots refer to as a "target rich environment." Your group members can reach dozens of qualified prospects each hour.

Why are they qualified? Because they're already out shopping and thus, receptive to a good sales pitch. Don't just send your troops door-to-door. Work a simple sales table outside a popular department or grocery store. Be sure to ask the manager's permission at least a week ahead of time.

Work the table in 90-minute shifts. Use two members, preferably in uniform. Have an adult present behind the table to handle details and track results. (Never allow children to sell alone!) A folding camp chair greatly helps the "take it easy" approach for the sales supervisor.

Encourage the kids to use their personality and youth to best advantage. Make sure they talk up the product from their point of view.

Make it Quick: Let's face it, people are in a hurry. You want your message to "register" with your prospect in ten seconds or less. If you're selling from a card table at a shopping center, use simple signs in bold colors. Make sure the signs are big enough for approaching shoppers to see. Signs made by the group have more appeal than a more "professional" looking sign. A few helium balloons can also attract more people to your sales table. Leave a clear path to the sample merchandise. Deliver the gist of your offering clearly and concisely.

Ask for Donations: Let's face it, not everyone will want what you're selling, no matter how great it is. Make sure that your sellers make it clear that a simple donation is always welcomed.

If you're fundraising at a shopping center, keep a big plastic jug clearly labeled "Donations" in a prominent place on your sales table. By making it easy for someone to make a donation, you've eliminated the merchandise requirement.

Any donation goes 100% to the bottom line!