With summer ending and a new school year starting soon, it will be time for many groups to fundraise. In some communities, people will be inundated with fundraisers, with group after group asking for their support. If you don’t want your fundraiser to get lost in the mix, you should get clear on your fundraising goals.
Define a Goal
First of all, define your goals as a group. Make sure all active members are on board with budget goals, what money is being raised for, and how it will be raised.
Find Your Story
Next, pick out any high-emotion goals. These are the things that will be easiest for your community to get behind. If possible, tell a story of a need that your group is seeking to fill. Whether you are raising money for school books, playground equipment, sports fields, or whatever, be prepared to tell the story. Explain the need. Show where current funding is falling short. Then tell your group’s plans to fill the gap through fundraising.
Communicate Your Goal
After you identify a high-emotion story you can tell, you need to communicate it. When explaining the fundraiser to your participants, tell them the story. Use the fundraising letter to explain the goal. Also post the story on your website and in your newsletter. If you can effectively communicate the need and your goal to fill the need, you will have an easier time getting participants on board and they will have an easier time raising funds.
Track Your Goal
Finally, track your goal. Was your fundraiser successful, or did it fall short? Those who have bought in emotionally to your goal want to know if you succeeded. Share how you did in your newsletter and online. Get the word out to the participants that they did a good job. And, of course, be sure to say thank you, to each and every participant.
Getting clear on fundraising goals can help your group stand out from the crowd and raise funds, even when people are already being asked by many other groups and organizations. Get your community behind your goal, and you will have success.
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photo credit: woodleywonderworks