by Sarah Remington

Created on: May 12, 2008   Last Updated: May 20, 2008

Running a successful school fundraiser is not as hard as it seems. Success is measured both in the amount of money raised, and in the enjoyment and involvement of the volunteers. The work of the chairperson is to anticipate and plan the details, and then to delegate jobs to volunteers. The volunteers will be happy, involved, and support the school by coming and spending money at "their" fundraiser.

The key to recruiting volunteers is to make each job clear and to be specific about what the job entails. No one volunteers for an open ended job. Jobs need to be defined and the hours explicit.

No matter if the fundraiser is for an Elementary school, or for a High School, jobs need to be broken into small tasks that can be done at a flexible time. Examples of job descriptions could be:
- "Need 20 signs to be lettered to be completed by dd/mm. Materials provided."
- "Need signs put up in local businesses by mm/dd. Signs and list of businesses
provided.
- "Need cashiers the day of the event. 1-2 hour shifts available.
- "Need people to solicit donations from businesses. Lists and letters of
introduction provided."

Jobs that require on-site work ideally are scheduled for first thing in the morning or last thing in the afternoon to best coincide with drop-offs and pick-ups.
- "Need 5 people from 8am to 10am on mm/dd to set tables."
- "Need 5 people at 4pm after the event for facility clean-up."

Always try to provide token refreshments for group work as a thank-you.

What you sell at your fundraiser should be tailored to your audience. Elementary and Middle schools do well organizing sales of items that might be outgrown and recycled, for example:
- community yard sales
- bike swaps
- athletic equipment swaps

Craft fairs/ Holiday fairs do well at every school level because they provide a buying opportunity for the general public.

The High School parent population will best spend its money buying opportunities and services. They buy:
- gift cards for restaurants.
- tickets to Gala parties
- silent auctions items
- raffle tickets for money prizes
- hours of yard work performed by students

The key for raising money in a fundraiser is to have a product your peer group will use. It must be an easy and fun way to spend money. The key to having happy volunteers is to have many small jobs that volunteers can do without feeling overwhelmed. Happy volunteers make happy customers and happy customers make a successful fundraiser.

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