by Kim Robins Spare time and surplus household funds are luxuries that most of us don’t have these days. Yet thousands of mums, dads, carers, teachers and community members angelically give their time to raise funds for struggling organisations, schools and charities. More raised hands are always needed, so let’s talk about fundraising!
Inadequate public funding has meant that many schools, child care centres and clubs rely heavily on fundraising for necessities and sometimes even survival. The concept has been around for thousands of years, yet thankfully the general theory or aim has remained the same: those that are more affluent (in terms of money, time and/or resources) have the chance to help and provide for those that are less fortunate.
There are varying degrees of affluence and fundraising ideas these days range from the ever popular and humble sausage sizzle right through to innovative high-tech online affiliate programs where groups are paid commissions in return for promoting company websites, products or services.
Some fundraising concepts like black tie events, carnivals and major fundraising drives are obviously harder and more time consuming than others to coordinate and see through to completion. In such cases, many hands make light work. These events are generally (but not always) suited to larger companies or businesses like radio and television stations and corporate firms, but you don’t have to be a ‘big player’ to make a difference to someone’s world.
Smaller groups and centres tend to rely solely on volunteers and their extended network to make their fundraising event a success. Parents, carers and teachers band together to motivate their kids and family friends to become involved and help with tasks such as designing and distributing flyers, supplying equipment, making and/or building props, baking, selling tickets, finding sponsors, manning events or collecting and counting money. It’s amazing just how much hard work and time goes into something as traditional and seemingly ‘simple’ as a morning tea or school disco but somehow small local community groups continually manage to raise thousands of valuable dollars every year.
Already busy helpers quite often comment that organising or being involved with a fundraiser can sometimes feel overwhelming and it would be much easier if more people participated. It’s not that people don’t want to help; it’s a case of people wondering where on earth they will find the time. It’s OK to put your hand up but be firm on how much time you can allocate.
Myth buster
One of the biggest myths when it comes to fundraising is that you need to have lots of money and you need to know lots of influential people for your fundraiser to be a success. This is not true. Your greatest advantage or most important ‘tool’ is your group of members or supporters. Having said this though, for your supporters to be able to help it’s imperative that you have a plan and you are organised. Nothing will make volunteers disappear faster than confusion and chaos.
Getting started A Fundraising Coordinator needs to be appointed and it’s a good idea to choose someone who is organised, enthusiastic and a great communicator. Some people are put off and don’t volunteer for this position because they incorrectly assume that they will have to do all of the hard work. Reassure them that it is their job to break a big job into smaller manageable tasks that can be delegated to other members and they won’t be left to do all the jobs no one else wants to do!
If you ended up with the top job, why not start by sending out a questionnaire to parents and finding out their particular skills and availability? With the help of organisations like Fundraising Directory (which offers some excellent advice and tips to ensure the smooth running and success of your fundraiser), anyone can have fun fundraising.
Set a date
Have a look at your school and community calendars and make sure you choose a date that doesn’t clash with other major events. No one wants to feel torn between charities or fundraisers or feeling like they should give more time or money than they can afford.
Choose a fundraiser
Sometimes it’s easier to run the same fundraisers every year and if your group has something that continues to be a winner, like an annual fete or stall, then stick with it, but it’s still a good idea to introduce fresh and exciting new ideas. Not only can it be fun, it will ensure your supporters don’t get fatigued or bored.
Ask questions
Asking questions will ensure the fundraiser you have chosen is going to suit your needs and help you achieve your goals. If you are working with a specific product, ask how long a company has been in business, whether they have experience in fundraising, the quality of their product, whether you need to prepay for goods and if they supply promotional material. All of this information can help your committee determine if this is the right company for you.
Get the message out there
For your fundraiser to be a success people need to know about it. Plan well ahead so you have time to get the word out. A good place to start is your school or community newsletter or website where you can let your supporters know exactly what you are trying to achieve and how they can help. It’s also beneficial to utilise any promotional material or information provided by your fundraising company. Try to get it out to as many families and other groups as possible. People are usually more willing to donate time or money if they are educated and informed about the product or service. This is also the case if they are asked or encouraged to help rather than it just being expected or assumed they can or want to.
When it’s all said and done
Some fundraisers fade away and people aren’t aware of the final outcome. We all like to feel valued and appreciated so a short note in the next newsletter simply stating how much money was raised, how it will be used and a genuine thank you will be greatly appreciated by your hard-working volunteers.
There are heaps of new fundraising concepts out there that have been structured to make the project as simple as possible. All of the finer details are taken care of and all you need to do is request the information and order forms, distribute this to the community and wait for the orders to roll in. Some companies even deliver the product straight to the customer so you don’t even have to worry about distributing orders.
As well as all of the hard work being taken out of the process for you it’s heart-warming to know that offering fundraising isn’t just about money with many businesses. Nathan and Sara Hodges from ArtEater say they offer fundraising as part of their business because they are “happy to help out and give something back. If you can’t do that as a business, then you’re not really playing fair.”
The general consensus is that although it does generate extra business, it also brings communities together and builds relationships. There’s also a genuine desire for many business owners to provide keepsakes to make you smile or a useful product that makes your life a little easier or fun.
Angela Soutar and Simone Crowther from Artcards started their business about a year ago because they “saw a need for something healthy, creative and fun as a fundraiser within schools” and currently use the fundraising concept as a way to expose their product to their target market.
This approach and attitude means that not only is money raised, but everyone involved from conception through to completion will benefit by feeling good about giving. Regardless of the type of fundraising event you and your troop of volunteers can manage, it’s good to know the end result will still be the same…someone will benefit from your donation of time or money no matter how small the contribution may seem. So next time you get ‘the calling’ from your kid’s kindy, school or sporting club, smile and say yes, knowing you will be making a difference.
Useful Tips
1. Families need and enjoy a break so avoid fundraising during school holidays.
2. Keep it short and sweet. People lose interest if fundraisers drag on for too long. Two to three weeks is ideal.
3. Don’t be afraid to extend your deadline by a couple of days. You will generally get a last minute influx of orders!
For more information and fresh fundraising ideas go to the Fundraising Directory Website: www.fundraisingideas.com.au/ebook-essentials.html or www.fundraisingmagazine.com.au
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