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Fundraising- Getting Started
It is no secret that with cheerleading and dance comes plenty of expense! Follow this outline of fundraising tips to get a general overview of the task at hand. This will help you get organized and stay on track to have a great fundraising experience!
Define your goals. How much money do you want to raise and what type of timeline are you working with? Ideally your fundraising efforts will allow you at least 3-4 weeks to plan, organize, and recruit volunteers. Create a calendar to keep you and your team on pace. Put a goal chart in place to monitor your success, or lack of, which will keep your team motivated to reach their goals.
Explore your options. There are several types of fundraisers and you want to make sure you choose the option that will be most practical and produce the best results for your team. If you are a new coach or have been newly nominated to oversee fundraising for your team, begin by researching the projects that have been very successful for your organization in the past. Some options include; Pledge Drives and Donations, such as letter writing campaigns; Product Sales, such as cosmetics or candles, typically purchased through a catalog; and Events, such as a car wash or bake sale.
Avoid conflict of interest. If you are preparing for an upcoming fundraiser check your school and community calendars to verify that other organizations haven’t already planned a conflicting fundraiser at the same time. For example, if the band is selling candy bars it’s probably not a good time to introduce your own candy sale fundraiser. You don’t want to invade anyone’s territory and this would ultimately create lower profits for both organizations.
Recruit Volunteers. When looking for help with your fundraiser begin by asking parents and friends that you know are eager to help, or those that helped last year, then ask them to recruit additional help as needed. Place volunteers in the areas that interest them or fit their skill levels. For example, don’t put an accountant in charge of making posters, let them help manage the money! Keep your volunteers motivated by continuing to track your progress and by keeping the project fun! Offering incentives are a great way to keep your team members and other volunteers on track and can also create a very productive and spirited sense of competition among the team!
Spread the Word! You can’t expect your fundraiser, especially if it’s an event, to be successful if no one knows about it. Make sure you put plenty of effort into making your target market aware of your goal and your cause. Contact your local media outlets, make banners and flyers, and most importantly tell everyone you know! Word of mouth is the most credible, productive, and cheapest way to advertise!
Handle with Care. It is vital that you manage the teams account and fundraising profits meticulously. Set specific deadlines for volunteers to turn in money, use collection envelopes to help keep everyone organized, and recruit a parent volunteer or community member to serve as Treasurer or Co-Treasurer with you. If the project profits are very large or ongoing over a long period of time you may consider forming a financial committee that consists of 3-4 members. This will insure accountability and proper allocation for expenditures. Always keep cash and checks secured and make deposits often if your fundraiser is ongoing.
There are literally countless ways to raise money for your team, so be sure to do plenty of research and weigh your options before making a commitment. Developing a plan, staying organized, and keeping it fun will make your job much easier and will surely help your team produce the results they are hoping for!
Check back soon for additional tips and ideas. To submit your ideas, email info@teamspiritcheer.com with Fundraising Tips as the subject.