Start Small Your First Time Fundraising

My tip as a veteran fundraiser to newbies is to start small. Fundraising involves a lot more behind-the-scenes than meets the eye. It takes time to form a committee, and it takes time for new committee members to learn the ropes. Since the composition of most fundraising committees changes from year to year, there is almost always a learning curve to be navigated at the start of every fundraising season.

The other problem most fundraising groups encounter early in the season is that the season coincides with a new school or activity year and funds are needed quickly. That means that you need to generate some revenue in just a month or two.

The best way to acclimate volunteers and members, and still raise some noteworthy cash, is to have a small fundraiser with little excess planning. It might be an on-hand candy sale or a simple raffle. Organizing a fast, fun fundraiser lets everybody get their feet wet, figure out who will sell and who won't, learn who is dependable as a volunteer and who isn't, and learn to navigate the time and logistics involved in contracting with a company, ordering and receiving goods, and getting the word out to the community to get things selling.

What I've found is that as volunteers we are all more comfortable after a small early success, and this sets the stage for bigger and better sales and events as the fundraising season wears on.