Start Your Fundraiser Right By Setting Clear Goals

The first thing that should be done at the start of each fundraising season or campaign is to set fundraising goals. The most prominent of fundraising goals will be a dollar figure, but your organization may benefit from setting others goals for improvement as well.

Setting Dollar-Figure Fundraising Goals

Dollar-figure fundraising goals are simple, at least in theory. Your group's goal will be the amount of money you are striving to raise. It is best if your financial fundraising goal is clear—a definite, set amount; even if you do not reach that amount, everyone will at least have something to strive for, and will be less likely to quit until your group brings in the funds needed. And if the first fundraiser does not bring in the necessary money, volunteers will be compelled to hold another and another until they do.

Tracking progress publicly (such as with a 'fundraising thermometer' or weekly progress report) towards your financial fundraising goal will provide the best incentive for continuous effort. Goal-trackers keep everyone involved abreast of the success of the campaign, and show how much more work is needed to realize your goal.

In order to set an accurate dollar figure fundraising goal, your group will need to spend a little time in self-assessment. The fundraising committee should realistically assess:

Funds needed for program supplies or services (whatever it is you are raising funds for)
The cost of the fundraiser and needed supplies
The size of your volunteer corp (to determine how large a fundraiser your group can reasonably handle)
How much time is available to raise the funds
Increases in program costs over previous years

Setting Goals For Improvement

At least in theory, fundraising should get easier from year to year, and it can if your group sets goals for improvement. When you assess your group's financial needs, take some time to discuss past successes and failures, as well as what ran smoothly and areas needing improvement. Turn the most important or needy of these administrative-type tasks into goals for the organizing committee.

Some of the areas your group may want to look at when setting administrative improvement goals are:

Communication - both among committee members and with volunteers and sellers
Organization - including record-keeping, which will in turn make subsequent fundraisers run more smoothly
Marketing - getting the word and the need out for better profits
Reception and distribution of products

Fundraising goals help the entire season's campaigns run more efficiently and more profitably. Setting fundraising goals early helps all involved to see the need and work to fill it. Your group will surely find that it is easier to motivate people when they are working for a clear and defined cause, and continually making progress towards it. Ultimately, fundraising goals set the stage for that final, fulfilling breath of fresh air that lets every participating member of your group say, "we did it!"

This is an article created by the FundraisingIP.com Editorial Team. For more fundraising ideas and fundraiser help, go to our article directory at FundraisingIP.com/articles.

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