So, unfortunately you don't have any money. What are you going to do about it? Well, the same thing you've always done; start a fundraiser. Sadly not all fundraisers succeed. How does something like that happen?
Well here are the top 5 reasons fundraisers fail, and what you can do about it!
First, let me say, it's not bad planning. It's not planning. Raising money isn't all fun and games. If it was no one would have a job.
Solution: Take your time deciding your start and finish dates. Set your turn in date, and expect participates to turn in late. Give yourself reminders to push sales throughout the fundraiser. Set your final goal and small goals along the way. Consider holidays and events when planning your fundraiser.
I can always tell from the beginning if a fundraiser is going to do well or not just by the few conversations I have with the person in charge. It doesn't matter the group size or style of fundraising. One thing is almost always constant, they always have questions.
Solution: There is no one successful way of fundraising. We customize our fundraisers to fit your needs. Use the resources available to you and get exactly what you need. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
I don't know if you have ever played the telephone game, but here is how it is played. You stand everyone in a line. The first person in line tells the person next to them a secret. The second person tries to tell the third person the same secret and so on until the secret reaches the last person in line. So what does that have to do with fundraising? Well, if you didn't already know, the last person NEVER gets the secret the same as the first. The longer the line, the more the secret changes. Fundraisers are done in groups. Things can get messy if communication is not clear.
Solution: Sponsors need to be proactive instead of reactive. Think of potential questions and problems before they come up. Set up multiple avenues of communication i.e. vocal, email, text, website, social media. Go over plans and information multiple times.
This may be number 4 on our list, but it is a big one. It is easy to have $0 in sales if no one knows you are having a fundraiser. Many participants convince themselves that they have to be pushy to get sales.
Solution: Get the word out! In reality, it is not how you ask, but how many you ask. Use the resources available to you. We provide customized social media to you free of charge! Not only do sponsors need to promote their fundraisers, but participants as well. Word of mouth, social media, anything that works. You also need to promote often. Customers tend to forget or procrastinate. It is not pushy to keep people informed of the progress of your fundraiser. Don't let participants forget to take their order forms with them wherever they go. An order form at the bottom of a backpack isn't going to help you much. Check in on your participants to see how sales are going.
This is a common issue sponsors face. So, you are in charge of coming up with "extra" money for your group to cover expenses, but no one is even remotely interested in helping out. Participants are not interested in candles or cookie dough. You can dance like a clown, but they are just not going to be motivated.
Solution: It really makes you want to throw your hands up and give up. But before you do, keep a few things in mind. Firstly, just because someone is not interested, doesn't mean that you can't find ways to motivate them. If you have the pleasure of being nominated as Fundraiser Coordinator aka Magic Money Maker, it falls on you to make people do what they don't want to do. But it doesn't have to be that way. You have so many options. You are only limited by your imagination. Research alternative options to traditional fundraising. And keep in mind you can always combine multiple styles of fundraising. This will really help you pinpoint what is most successful. Try options that require no money upfront, and no contracts or commitments. Once you find what works, you can be successful year after year!
Always remember to use the resources available to you. We are here to help you reach your goals. Check out our blog for other tips and tricks, and don't hesitate to call or email us if you have any questions or need any help! Good Luck!