How Does Organizations Start Fundraisers?

Deciding on a Fundraiser

When chosen wisely, fundraisers can be fun and profitable for your organization. The key is to pick an appropriate fundraiser. There are some important things to consider when deciding on a fundraiser. First, what are your fundraising needs? Decide how much time and help you have to devote to the fundraiser. Look at what fundraisers, if any, your organization has done. Get some background information on them and find out if they worked or did not work, and why. Decide on a few ideas that would work for your organization. Finally, talk to the people who will help you with your fundraiser, find out what they think would work and why. Fundraising is always done better as a group effort, and if fellow employees and key stakeholders in your organization like the fundraiser, they are more likely to help with it and participate. Once you have your idea, you're ready to organize your fundraiser.

Now that you have your fundraiser, you need support in organizing it. You need to pull together a team or committee to help. Your committee should consist of people you can work well with and who are willing to put in the time to put together the fundraiser. Your committee should meet regularly throughout the planning process and until after the event. Together, the committee must set up the logistics of the fundraiser, and decide on the who, what, when, where and why of the fundraiser. Once that is established, it's the committee's responsibility to get the word out or market the fundraiser. No matter what your fundraiser is, your success will depend greatly on the participants. You'll need to find the most efficient way to attract the best participants.

If you are having a fundraising event, you must work with your committee to make sure it is set up properly and participants are able to enjoy themselves. If it's the sale of a product, you should ensure that your participants have all the information they need to sell the product easily and in the allotted amount of time. Most important at this stage of a fundraiser, make sure you and your committee take part and enjoy yourselves. Participants will be more likely to succeed if they see you setting the example.

After you finish your fundraiser, meet with your committee one last time. Allow members to talk freely and get their feedback on the fundraiser. Find out what they liked and disliked. Find out what they would do differently and how they would do it. If you plan to do the same fundraiser again, take good notes; these ideas will make your fundraiser stronger and enable you to run it more efficiently the next time.

Don't forget to thank your committee, volunteers and participants. A simple thank-you goes a long way, and people remember it. You want them to have a good feeling about your fundraiser so they come back.