Successful Fundraising: Worthwhile Endeavors

What's New, Jan/Feb 2004 by Clay, Nelda, Cooper, Jane

Other teachers do it. It seems like a daunting endeavor. But your school and students can truly benefit from a good 'ole fundraising program.

Begin by discussing the amount of money you need to raise for the project you have in mind. Find out what exactly the designated advisor has to do to carry out the fundraiser. Do you have to duplicate order forms or are they provided by the company you engage? Will the product come to you ready to deliver or will the advisor have to sort orders when the product arrives?

Choosing a Product

Choosing a good product is the key to any good fundraiser. National conferences, such as Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, provide a great opportunity to sample and view products from different fundraiser vendors. Products such as cookware, spirit merchandise (t-shirts and other items crafted with school-related markings), cookbooks and candy are just some of the popular options for a successful fundraising program. Chocolate covered nuts and other nut products are also a great choice. These items are reasonably priced and the turn around time from your school to the company and back to your school is only about two weeks. Nuts and candy are always a good choice.

A fundraiser must be reasonably priced for your area. If it is overpriced, you will not make as much profit. The item must not spoil or break easily in transport, especially in the hands of students. Frozen pies, for example, have to be kept frozen.

Creating a Mission

It is important that you educate the community about how the raised money will be used. Students and parents should understand the importance of the mission of your program in order to sell your product efficiently and enthusiastically. This can also help you get more students to participate in your fundraising project. It is a good idea to publicize your organization in the community paper as this can help you attract more students and parents to your project.

While raising money for worthwhile items, students learn about money, responsibility and giving back to the community. Why not try a fundraising project on for size?

Nelda Clay is a Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher at Houston County High School in Warner Robins, GA. Jane Cooper teaches Early Childhood Education at Houston County High School. They have successfully raised money to help students attend both State and National Leadership meetings by selling nuts and candies.