| Growing a Seed Based Fund-raiser |
| If you would like us to send you a copy of our "How to Grow Your Fund-raiser" guide please email us at: gardenvalleyseedtrust@hotmail.com. We will email you a copy of the guide as an attachment in word format. The guide is about 15 pages. |
| "What can we do to raise money?" How often have we heard this question in our work with schools or kid's programs? It is our hope that this page will put to an end this yearly question and many of the pains which go along with most fund-raising projects. This page will summerize how you can put together a seed based fund-raiser (or any other type) and connect you to a more detailed guide we offer by emailing us. The goal of this page is to help you understand by following several easy steps you can maximize your success (financial and otherwise) while reducing your efforts and the pains often associated with fund-raisers for your students. And most of us remember our painful fund-raising experiences as children. We will also demonstrate how a well planned, meaningful event (ie. girl scout cookies) creates success and less pain than one that isn't (ie. unexpected candy bar sales). |
| How to Grow a Fund-raiser Create a Vision Develop a Plan Implement the Plan Follow-up Many fundraisers do none of these. |
| Basically, the following information will assist you in building a successful yearly program that people will look forward to. A program that is easy and risk free. A program which can be applied at any level of involvement your group wishes. In each box is a brief description of how to grow your fund-raiser. For greater detail, we invite you to email us and we will send you a copy of our "Guide to Growing A Seed Based Fundraiser". |
| Creating a Vision The first step in creating and developing a successful, focused and long-term fund-raising project is to have a vision. An understanding of the who, what, how, where, when and especially the why of it all. Without a vision it is hard to rally students, parents, and the communty behind your effort. Why are you doing the fund-raiser? What do you want to accomplish? How will you do it? When will you do it? Where do you want the fund-raiser to go ultimatlely? It helps to ask these questions in a number of areas as you work to develop your vision. They are easily applied directly to the activity of the fund-raiser as well as the short and long-term areas of the vision. We hope you will take the time to imagine the ultimate fund-raising scenario and then go for it. |
| Developing a Plan Developing a strategic outreach plan is an important step in maximizing both the efforts of the participants and the financial success of the project. Although it may look like a bit of an effort, it is easy to complete and will save you time, effort and money. The following is a brief overview of the planning process. 1. Identifing Resources and Target Customer Base Community (indirect) School (direct) Media Parents Churches & Organizations Neighbor and Friends Businesses Family Contacts (business, club, etc.) 2. Developing Outreach Strategies Advertising Strategy Who to contact, by whom, when. Direct Sales Strategy Informational flyer for parents/neighbors/friends, student contact sheets. Indirect Sales Strategy Connection of churches, organizations and businesses with students and parents. 3. Developing an Evaluation and Second Year Plan |
| Implementing the Plan Implemention is as easy as following the plan. |
| With a Vision next comes a plan. |
| Evaluation and Follow-up Very few fund-raisers finish their projects with either an evaluation or a follow-up with their "customers". Often this is because the fund-raaiser is a one time event so there appears to be little benefit in doing this. As we are hoping participating groups will make this fundraiser a yearly event, we encourage both an evaluation and follow-up to promote greater success each year. Evaluation- Today Was the project a success? What were the problems? What things went right? Did everyone have a good time? What things would you do differently? Do again? Follow-up- One of the greatest marketing tools for longterm success is developing a strong customer base that looks forward to, and supports, your fundraiser each year. To do this we would like to make the recommendation that projects build a customer database and set a small amount aside to send out a thank you/questionnaire in the fall. |