Use a professional fundraising company

Product fundraising usually involves a professional fundraising company — and often a sales representative — which serves as liaison between the product supplier and volunteers responsible for the fundraising drive.  These companies provide advice, trouble-shooting, support, products, guidance and other valuable services that can reduce volunteer time and energy and maximize sales.  Special events and other "do-it-yourself" fundraising methods are more labor-intensive and frequently yield smaller results.  Product sales work because results are fast and people like buying products for a worthy cause.  Last year, non-profit groups netted approximately $2 billion by selling products.

Prevent parents and other supporters from fundraiser burn out

Three simple suggestions:  1) Set clear goals and firm deadlines.  Communicate fundraising goals and important dates often to parents and teachers, along with frequent progress reports.  2) Do a few and do them well.  When it comes to fundraising, less is more.  Don't make constant pleas just for the sake of fundraising. Communicate early on your goals and fundraising plans for the year.  Families are more supportive if they understand and support one or two tangible goals.  3) Know what others are doing.  Share dates and other important info with other groups in the community to avoid duplicating efforts.

Focus on product quality, company services and percent of profit vs. % of gross sale

Percentages of sales offered to non-profit groups vary widely depending on the type of products being sold and the services offered by the fundraising company.  Too often, fundraising coordinators equate financial success directly with the percentage of gross sales that their group will keep.  Rather, volunteers should be focused on how the combination of product quality, company services and percent of profit to be received will all work together to help the organization meet its total fundraising goal.

Set appropriate incentive programs

Organizations eager to reach their goal often add an "incentive program" to their fundraising effort.  Although the goal itself is motivation enough for some volunteers, prize or award programs can contribute significantly to the success of a program.  Incentive programs are designed to encourage and reward participation and add an element of fun, encouraging broad participation of volunteers so that the burden of meeting the organization's goal does not fall to a dedicated few.  Indeed, the majority of fundraising prizes actually distributed today are simple tokens (stickers, pencils) to recognize participation.

It is important that school administrators and parent groups work closely with fundraising companies to ensure incentive programs are appropriate for their students.  As stated in AFRDS Standards for Professional Practice, companies should be sensitive to the potential negative impact of placing undue emphasis on sales incentives.

“Door-to-door” solicitation is not required for a successful product fundraiser

For some people, product fundraising has mistakenly become synonymous with the term "door-to-door sales."  In fact, most product fundraising sales are made to parents, family members, friends and close neighbors.  A successful product fundraising drive does not require volunteers — young or old — to canvass neighborhoods. Parents are very involved with these programs, often soliciting support from co-workers.

Encourage both parents and children to participate in the fundraiser

School fundraising drives are often a child's first taste of volunteer service.  If presented and supervised properly by a parent, coach or teacher, a fundraising project to support school or extra-curricular activities can build a child's confidence, self-esteem, sense of responsibility, good manners, planning and budgeting skills, to name a few.

However, children should never be allowed to sell door-to-door unless directly supervised by a parent or responsible adult.  According to the Association of Fund-Raising Distributors and Suppliers, fundraising companies, school and organization leaders and parents must be diligent in assuring that children participate in fundraisers in a safe manner.