How to Conduct a Fund Raiser for a Nonprofit Youth Group

Youth today who want to be involved in different activities often need to raise funds for competitions, trips, uniforms, equipment and instruction. Even in the best of times, raising sufficient funds to operate a nonprofit youth group can be a significant challenge. Car washes, fund raising dinners, raffle sales, concerts and applying for philanthropic grants can all be effective ways of raising money.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Develop a clear idea of what your group's fund raising goals will be. The group's parents or advisory board and members must agree on these goals. Even two members having different goals—or a hidden agenda—can jeopardize the group's ultimate success. Get a commitment from each group member and parent involved in the planning.

2. Write down specific items your group needs, whether it is equipment, uniforms, travel, sound equipment or instruction. Determine the cost of each item. Obtain prices from different sources and interview each source to assess the accuracy and reliability of the information.

3. Add up all of the costs. Factor in an additional amount to cover any costs that may have been underestimated. This becomes your working figure from which you begin to hold your fund raisers. If, for instance, you want to send your group to New York, call airlines, hotels and tourist attractions and get firm figures. Develop an idea of how many group members and parents you will include in your trip.

4. Decide what kind of fund raisers are the most realistic for your group. If you need a significant amount of cash, such as $40,000, car washes and raffles may not be the most realistic fund raisers to hold. Plan dinners and community events into which you can add silent auctions or dollar raffles.

5. Look into applying for grants for the group if you need a large amount of funding. Conduct Internet research into philanthropic groups and organizations that give grants. Find out exactly what these groups fund, what they look for in grant requests and what they require in return from groups to which they provide grants. For instance, your group may be required to provide mentoring to disadvantaged youth as part of the funding commitment.

6. Delegate a trusted parent or advisory board member to handle the funds for your group. Ensure accepted accounting practices by requiring that more than one parent be present when funds are being counted and prepared for deposit. Have check-signing privileges given additional safeguards with countersigning practices.

7. Inform parents, advisory board members and group members of your fund raising progress regularly. You don't want to discourage anyone by keeping them uninformed of your progress. Especially when students and parents are giving up precious leisure time for several fund raisers, reward and encourage them by providing regular updates.

Tips & Warnings

• Find a parent or board member with accounting or bookkeeping experience to handle fund raising proceeds.
• Keep an open mind to suggestions and concerns.
• Set time limits for each fund raiser. It adds urgency to each member's efforts.
• Set up individual member accounts so you can keep track of how much each member is raising.
• Do not rely on verbal promises of honesty from parents or advisory board members. Institute accepted accounting practices at all times.
• Don't wait too long to reserve class space, airline seats or hotel rooms. Keep track of prices of each and book space as soon as you have the funds to commit.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.