Vsn Term four is the time of year that we are wrapping up our current fundraising events. We are setting our sites on the New Years’ events and the toughest job of all… recruiting new fundraising committee members. How many times have you been sitting in a committee meeting and asked, “Who would like to volunteers to take reins next year”? At this time, attendees start doodling on scraps of paper, looking at their phones or picking non-existent lint off their T-shirts in an attempt to avoid eye contact.
I recently came across a wonderful article on the Fundraising Mums website entitled How to Get the Hard Core Non Helper Involved by Shannon Meyerkort. The title says it all, but I thought I would touch on the points that I found particularity useful. I have also add some thoughts of my own.
Transparency and Organisation
Shannon mentions that the roles should be well defined for fundraising volunteers. Also, clear guideline make major fundraiser easy. When people know what to expect they are more likely to sign up. I couldn’t agree more.
If a committee secretary is a vital role, then create a job description. Include a list of skills and the required number of hours per week. It will make the job seem less daunting. Is it a role that can be shared? Working with someone often makes the task more enjoyable and less time consuming. There is no need to redesign the wheel every year. If a carnival is something you run annually or biannually, create a reference folder. List each task and summarise what was done. Include the contacts, costs, documents and what was successful or unsuccessful. This will make it easy for fundraising volunteers to duplicate events in years to come.
Pick a Few Meaningful, Quality Fundraisers
Limiting the number of fundraisers each year is wonderful advice. Emails and notices are constantly bombarding parents and it gets a little overwhelming. I tend to prioritise and as a result, push smaller events to the bottom of the list. Big events often become a highlight that we look forward to each year and are more likely to participate in. It is a good idea to reassess the number and quality of fundraisers each year. If for example you are sending home 3 or 4 different types of raffles each year, you may wish to condense all your efforts and resources into one and make it really special. If Trivia Nights and Carnivals are both really successful big events, you could possibly split them up into alternating years. One key fundraiser per term is a great alternative and you’ll require a fewer fundraising volunteers.
Change Things Up
Trying something new can be a risk, but if you pull it off it can be the most rewarding event. As Shannon rightly points out, “maybe parents are bored with baking cakes or letting kids buy other families second hand toys”. Shannon’s site and The Fundraising Directory are just two great resources for new ideas. It goes without saying that my favourite idea would be publishing a book of short stories. New ideas will motivate new fundraising volunteers.
As a final point I would like to add that the best fundraisers are ones where children, families and staff benefit from both the funds raised and the event itself. Obviously, literacy and books are my passion, but events like Jump Rope for Heart that encourage exercise, healthy food fundraisers or even a simple Read-Athon to get kids reading more (I always seem to bring it back to books) really help promote a physically and mentally active, healthy lifestyle. I have found that worthwhile fundraisers tend to inspire greater participation.
You may like to read my article titled Meaning Fundraisers For Schools
