When operating a both sale decorate a Donation Box for the animal group that will receive donated packages and put it next to the table. As soon as a customer purchases a package for donation, drop it in the box. Your team can add to the spirit of philanthropy by applauding and cheering. The joyful rukus will draw in more customers!

Add your contact information to the side of your Best In Show Pet Treats. Simply print your own small labels and add to the side of the package. Makes it easy to generate repeat business from satisfied customers!

Check out the great article on fundraiser planning in the December edition of Clover Corner News, 4-H’s national online newsletter, at: http://4hblogs.org/ccn/. The article offers tips to help 4-H clubs better plan for activities and fundraising

Make a Plan for a Great Year of 4-H Activities and Fundraising   

Becky Fay - Extension Agent - Green County, Missouri reports that ordering treats and setting up shop to sell outside of a grocery store is a great way to raise money during the holidays.

Becky also uses this as an opportunity to teach kids how to make change–a life skill many young people lack in the age of calculators, scanners, and computerized cash registers.

This year, she also intends to staple her business card and a brief description of 4-H programs available in her county to all of the packages sold to inform folks in her community about 4-H offerings.  

Don’t let the talk of economic an economic downturn put your fundraising efforts on hold. In fact, as other sources of funding tighten their purse strings, many organizations ramp up their fundraising efforts. Individuals are still willing to buy fundraising products in a down economy—most understand the heightened need for non-profit and charitable organizations—however, the consumers’ mindset shifts slightly, so consider the following: 

·         Customers are looking for value: Items under $5 trump higher dollar items. Families that are packing their lunches instead of eating out, or renting movies instead of going to the theater are less likely to spend $20, $30 or $40 on cookie dough or candles.

 ·         Focus your efforts: Kids will invariably go back time-after-time to the same potential customers. Consider putting your efforts into one concentrated, focused, well-organized fundraiser with all hands on deck. And, SET GOALS!

·         Stress your brand: Consumers are more discerning about where their money is going and they are more likely to give to organizations they know and trust.

·         Tell your story: Let your customers know specifically why you are raising money. “I’m raising money for 4-H” is fine. “I’m raising money to go to summer camp” is better!

·         Use technology: Suggest that kids and their parents email or send text messages to friends and family to promote your fundraiser and even take orders. It’s the easiest and most cost effective way to get the word out. Set up a simple web page that promotes your fundraiser, charts progress toward your goal, and touts the accomplishments of your top sellers.

·         Say “thank you”: It’s never been more important. Make sure your kids show appreciation for customers’ contribution.

We are big believers in setting individual and group goals.  It’s also helpful to make sure your members, families and ultimately the customer knows where the money is going. 

If you only do one or two fundraisers a year, it’s also easier to encourage member participation.  Depending on your group, incentives may also be helpful in motivating members to sell.  Younger kids may try to sell at a certain level to earn a prize, while older kids often respond to financial incentives, like extra money for camp, etc. 

We all tend to respond to recognition so be sure to let your sellers know how much of an impact they have made towards the group’s fundraising efforts.  If your goal was reached, you may want to plan a celebration that includes some type of recognition for your top sellers.

The Association of Fund-Raising Distributors and Suppliers (AFRDS) (www.afrds.org) recently completed and published a survey this spring that is pretty interesting.  According to their survey, “parent groups that conduct fewer school-wide fundraisers raise more money.” It’s just a fact, the more fundraisers you do, the less participation you get on each one.  We talk to customers all the time about cutting out marginal fundraising efforts to help avoid volunteer burnout.  When members, families and volunteers are constantly asked to sell something, it becomes easy to ignore the request.  You’ll do better in the end with a well chosen fundraising product and a plan for success that includes setting individual and group goals.  Then, you can encourage members and their familities to really get involved and support your chosen fundraising campaign.  Let your group know that when it comes to fundraising, you would like to focus on reaching the financial goals set so members and their families won’t be asked again to sell something until next year.   It may seem like more work in the short term, but in the long term it is easier for everybody.