15 Tips for 1st Time Fundraising!

1. Decide how much money your group needs to raise
   This will help you evaluate products and programs that will be ideal for your group.

2. Watch for hidden costs
   Don't let your group's profits disappear because of hidden costs (ex. shipping, prizes).

3. Give yourself & your group lots of time to prepare
   Select your fundraising program early. This will give you lots of time to plan. Include your fundraiser on the school or community calendars and newsletters.

4. Timing
   Make sure to stagger the various fundraisers to avoid flooding your potential consumers and to avoid competing with other fundraisers.

5. Are the Products we're Selling of High Quality?
   A consumer will be happy to support a worthy cause, however they won't be very interested in paying for inferior or significantly overpriced products. Remember that your fundraiser may be an annual or semi-annual event, and nothing builds profits like a reputation for offering top quality products.

6. Set up specific dates & stick to them
   If you avoid setting clear target dates the campaign tends to drag on and often without direction.

7. Try to conduct fewer & more effective programs
   This will help maintain motivation and avoid "fundraising fatigue".

8. Rely on your fundraising company's expertise
   Ask lots of questions & use your fundraising company's suggestions & advice.

9. Stay motivated throughout the program
   Some organizers tend to lose interest once the program is underway. Put a 10-12 day time limit on order taking. It's easier to stay motivated with clear goals and deadlines.

10. Communicate clearly before, during & after the program is put in place
    Keep energy levels high by reminding parents, teachers and other volunteers of the fundraising goals and deadlines.

11. Keep absent volunteers informed
    Don't forget to communicate the program's kick off and other important meetings to absent volunteers.

12. Avoid shipping and ordering problems
    Work closely with your volunteers and assure their order forms are legible and filled out completely.

13. Keep copies of the order forms
    Always keep copies of the order forms before you send them to your fundraising company.

14. Recruit adult volunteers ahead of time
    This will make the distribution of the products to the volunteers more efficient.

15. Double-check products received against your order forms
    This needs to be done before the products are given to the volunteers to ensure that nothing is damaged or missing.

16. Have Fun!
    A good attitude = better success.