| Success or failure in fundraising has as much | | | | |
| to do with planning as anything else. While | | | | 4. Allowing Proper Time |
| there are different ways to go about creating | | | | |
| a plan you intend to follow, it is important | | | | Begin Planning at least two weeks before you |
| to be mindful of the following when doing so. | | | | expect to begin your healthy fundraiser. This |
| | | | will allow a few days of going the logistics |
| 1. Commitment To Healthy Fundraising | | | | of what will need to be done, then allowing |
| | | | 7-10 days for delivery. |
| Well, first and foremost is the commitment to | | | | |
| the idea you won't be selling candy or other | | | | 5. Don't Pay Up Front |
| junk food. This is key for a number of | | | | |
| reasons. First, you will be contributing to a | | | | As a school, youth group, or church |
| healthier America; Second, you will be part | | | | organization, you should receive credit, |
| of a new trend in fundraising. Finally, if | | | | where you don't pay in advance, but instead |
| you are in the public school system, you may | | | | pay within a certain time after you take |
| well be required to fundraise with snacks | | | | delivery. Many, though not all fundraising |
| that meet specific healthy fundraising | | | | distributors, provide this. |
| guidelines. For example, California has | | | | |
| implemented guidelines requiring snack items | | | | 6. Be A Positive Leader |
| to be less than 35% fat, less than 35% sugar, | | | | |
| and less than 10% saturated fat (with nut and | | | | Sales is not the easiest thing in the world. |
| nut butter exclusions). These will be | | | | It's easy for fundraising group members, |
| implemented as mandatory over the next year. | | | | especially kids, to get discouraged and think |
| | | | they can't sell the items. This is where |
| 2. Fundraising Goal | | | | leaders come in to provide encouragement and |
| | | | support. |
| Next, you need to decide how much money you | | | | |
| wish to raise. From there, you'll have to | | | | 7. Set Time Guidelines and Stick To Them |
| delve into the math of the healthy | | | | |
| fundraiser. You'll take the number of members | | | | Usually a week is good for the event. Start |
| in your organization, and multiply that times | | | | on Monday and end on Friday. By Wednesday and |
| the expected profit per case or box sold, | | | | Thursday, really begin encouraging those who |
| multiplied again by how many cases or box you | | | | are behind in sales to step up to the plate |
| expect each member to sell. | | | | and give it their best effort. |
| | | | |
| 3. What To Watch Out For | | | | 8. Ask Questions |
| | | | |
| In terms of direct sales consumables, its | | | | You are the leader of your group, but feel |
| important to make sure that, with sufficient | | | | free to rely on your fundraising distributor |
| sized orders, you can attain 50% profit | | | | to answer any questions you have. |
| margin. Additionally, always ask about extra | | | | |
| incentives or bonuses. These won't always be | | | | 9. Keep Records |
| advertised, but you can often get your sales | | | | |
| representative to make you a special deal. | | | | Make notes of what worked and what didn't so |
| Additionally, make sure you don't ever have | | | | that each subsequent fundraiser will be more |
| to absorb shipping costs. You should receive | | | | successful than the last. And most |
| product, which when sold, will cover your | | | | importantly, be proud of yourself for helping |
| shipping, or you should find another | | | | raise money for a great organization through |
| Fundraising Distributor to go through. | | | | healthy fundraising. |