Student Activities and Organizations
Funding
Sure-Fire Fundraisers
Tired of bake sales and car washes? Here are some helpful hints regarding making a fundraiser a huge success. Student organizations should plan their fundraisers much like any other event or program. Meaning: it takes planning! Follow these rules for sure-fire fundraisers:
- Develop a budget - It's crucial to know how much is needed to raise.
- Set a fund-raising goal - Be realistic!
- Explain your cause - Many people will buy the product/service, just for the cause!
- Try to get it for nothing - Ask merchants to donate items to your group. The less spent on merchandise, the greater the profit!
- If you can't get it for nothing, get it for cost - Ask about purchasing items wholesale and be sure to use Purdue's tax exemption number for purchases.
- Make sure the activity is worth the effort - Any fundraiser should be cost-effective, considering how much time and energy was put in it and how much money is needed to be raised. Keep in mind how the activity will be received on campus.
- Involve as many individuals as possible - Fundraisers are not just for presidents and treasurers to do. It is important to get others excited about the activity and have a sense of ownership to it.
- Choose the right idea - Along with Rule No. 6, it is important to select an activity that will work for your group. Sometimes doing several small projects yields greater results than one large project.
- Be organized - Planning is key to any successful event. Be sure to have a plan of action, including a timeline of when things should get done, and designate the work to other organization members.
- Be creative - Remember many clubs have come before you to raise money. If you develop an activity that is unique, it will spark energy in your members and people will remember you!
- Publicize the fundraiser - Effective publicity is crucial to an event's success and attracting a variety of people. Please refer to Publicizing an Event.
- Evaluate - Keeping track of what worked well and what did not work well will ensure a quality event worth repeating. Keeping good records will give the new officers a "To Do" list to continue any successful fundraisers from the previous leadership.
- Say Thank You - Please do not forget to thank all those who helped with the activity!
Fundraising Ideas
(Note: All fundraising must be first approved by the SAO and BOSO offices to proceed)
- Babysitting services for faculty/staff
- Lawn care/clean up services for faculty/staff
- Host a sports tournament
- Sell concessions at campus sporting events
- Gift wrapping service during the holidays
- Sell holiday trees/wreaths
- Sell flowers/plants during Valentine's Day, Secretary's Week, Mom's Weekend, Commencement
- Co-sponsor events with other organizations
- Sponsor a dance
- Offer "odd-jobs" services
- Gather pledges for marathons: trash-a-thon, bowl-a-thon, Stairmaster-a-thon, etc.
- Deliver groceries
- Sponsor a cookout, e.g., chili, spaghetti, pancake breakfast, ice cream social
- Solicit "TLC packages" or "survivor kits" to parents
- Kids face painting at athletic events
- Stadium clean-up after football games
Sources:
Redwine, B. & S., (1994, December). A quick study in fund-raising ideas, Campus Activities Programming, 27, 6, 50-52.
Van Roekel, A., (2000, May). Easy tips for successful fund-raising, Campus Activities Programming, 33, 1, 45-47.