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Fundraising Tips

Congratulations! You have taken the first step and decided that you need to raise funds for a project. Enjoy this part…visualize the outcome whether it be new equipment for a hockey team, school travel or church renovations to name a few. Whatever it may be, give yourself a pat on the back because you are taking the initiative and making a difference! But now, you are probably asking yourself a ton of questions: What should we do? How will we raise the funds? Do we have enough help? Where do we even begin?

Planning a fundraiser can be a daunting task but rest assured that we are with you every step of the way. We understand the challenges but also the opportunities, and so we have set out below some tips that we have garnered over the years that will help you ensure your fundraiser is easy and successful.

TIP #1: SET YOUR FUNDRAISING GOAL

Ask yourself: How much money do we need to raise? When do we need to raise the money by?

TIP #2: READ THROUGH OUR FUNDRAISING INFORMATION PACKAGE

This package has all the info and details you will need to make the whole process EASY. It takes out all the guesswork as it lays everything out step by step and highlights key points to ensure your fundraiser is a success. It will help you learn everything from how to sort forms, schedule delivery timing, to payment information and info on why it is important to fill out the fundraising detail form.

TIP #3: GATHER YOUR TEAM. NO NEED TO GO IT ALONE!

Find people who can help you whether it is in distributing the forms, getting the word out to your group or helping hand out the boxes on delivery day. It’s like they always say: “The more the merrier!” It helps to have a supportive team dedicated to reaching your fundraising goals.

TIP #4: ESTABLISH YOUR KEY DATES

Make sure you take into account the following dates when you are putting together your fundraiser:

  • Date to distribute order forms to your group
  • Date to collect order forms back from group
  • Date to return order forms to Mom's Pantry
  • Date to deliver product to your organization

If you predetermine these dates, it will make your fundraising experience a lot easier and much more enjoyable!

TIP #5: KICK OFF YOUR FUNDRAISER

Promote and publicize your fundraiser as much as you can to your community and group!

For example, send out a newsletter including your fundraising goals, and reason for fundraising. If your group has meetings or bulletin boards, be sure to make an announcement or notice declaring the start and end dates of the fundraiser. If you are using online ordering be sure your sellers know they can share their order details via Facebook and Twitter.

TIP #6: RUN FUNDRAISER FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 WEEKS

In our experience and from feedback from our successful fundraising coordinators we suggest running the fundraiser for two to three weeks. One week is too short and anything over three weeks tends to be too long as people may forget and/or put it aside thinking they have lots of time. Other suggestions are to ensure it runs over at least one weekend and possibly a holiday, as that is when families tend to get together.

TIP #7: ENSURE EASY AND SUCCESSFUL DELIVERY WITH THESE 3 TIPS:

1) Schedule delivery time (by Mom’s Pantry) for 1 to 2 hours before your set pick up time for sellers/customers.

Example: Mom’s Pantry delivers at 1pm and you set pick up for 2pm or 3pm which allows time to ensure it is all organized and ready when people begin to arrive for pick up.

2) Have your team/volunteers meet at the delivery spot at least 15 minutes prior to arrival of Mom’s Pantry Driver. Product comes pre-labeled and ready for easy sorting and distributing.

3) Send out a Reminder of the Delivery Date to ALL SELLERS a couple of days before delivery.

IMPORTANT:

Make sure that your delivery date is CONFIRMED by Mom’s Pantry before sending out notice of date.

TIP #8: CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESS AND THANK EVERYONE

Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back for a job well done! Volunteers are what make things happen; without volunteers, nothing would ever get done!

Congratulations!!

TIP #9: PLAN AND SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT FUNDRAISER NOW

Many groups do two or more fundraisers a year with us! This means people can reorder product and don’t have to worry about running out of their favourites. NOTE: Don’t forget that you must register each new fundraiser before you begin selling!