How to Plan Fund-Raisers for a Youth Group

Youth organizations utilize fund-raisers to secure money for supplies, uniforms, trips or any other special need not funded by the standard operating budget. Fund-raisers have a dual purpose. They provide the group with a supplemental income while teaching the youth members valuable lessons about the value of money, the efforts of hard work and the personal satisfaction that comes from earning the money. Fund-raising activities help form relationships, increase leadership skills and build character. These activities can be successful with a well-thought plan and hard work.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Evaluate the group's monetary needs for 6 months or a year. Make sure to list exact events or specific items needed along with the projected costs.

2. Determine which expenses can be paid for out of the standard operating budget and which require money through fund raising.

3. Develop a fund-raising plan that outlines the events, dates and goal amounts. The plan should include only one or two big events a year to avoid overwhelming the group members and the community. Other small activities can fill in the gaps.

4. Develop a fund-raising calendar to help the group keep track of the events.

5. Form a committee for each event to help with planning and implementation. Each team should have five to six youth members along with one adult.

6. Prepare for each event at least 3 months in advance. The committee should meet to assign roles and determine deadlines for each of the fund-raisers.

7. Publicize each fund-raiser thoroughly. Make sure the community understands why the group needs the money and why they should get involved. The event should be advertised on bulletin boards, with posters, in newsletters and in newspapers.

8. Evaluate the fund-raiser's effectiveness once it is complete. This will help you make adjustments to future activities if needed.

9. Show appreciation to those who donated by placing a message of thanks in the newspaper or announcing the event's success at an upcoming gathering.

Tips & Warnings

• Get the entire community involved by hosting a silent auction or garage sale. Individuals can donate items for the sale with 100 percent of the profit going to the youth organization.
• Double your chances for a profit by holding a car wash that accepts pledges prior to the event and donations when the cars are washed. Group members can solicit pledges based on the number of cars washed (for example, a dollar per car). They can then follow up with pledgers after the event to collect the funds.
• Get local businesses involved by soliciting donated items for a raffle. The businesses should be clearly advertised to show appreciation for their generosity.
• Avoid unorganized, last-minute fund-raising events. Proper planning is necessary for a successful event.