Many student organizations have big plans and excellent ideas for programs or services. However, few organizations have the finances to make these plans real. It is important for student organizations to have some kind of fund raising plans and to execute those fundraisers with the utmost professionalism, accountability, and legitimacy. Fund raising events can be a lot of fun for all involved. It is important to make the fund raising project a group effort and to get as many people involved as possible. Not only will you have more help to accomplish your goals, but you will also get more people interested in giving money. The key to being successful in fund raising is to be creative and to keep your goal in mind
Please note: All fundraising (anything that raises money, donations of any sort on campus, or anytime money exchanges hands) must be approved by SLE Staff. Fundraising forms must be turned in at least one week before your event. If your fundraising involves the selling of off-campus food, it must be signed by Bon Appétit before given to SLE, even Flexi donations over $30 must be approved by Bon Appétit.
Planning Your Fund Raiser
- Set a goal
- Ask for suggestions from your members. What do the members want to do? Brainstorm for ideas
- Find out what has been done before. What worked? What didn’t? Why? How can you improve?
- Check University policy
- Involve all segments of your group, not just the officers
- Determine your market: college students, community, parents, etc
- Know your overhead
- Advertise wisely
- Let everyone know your expectations in advance and update on progress
- Recognize everyone involved in the planning and implementation of the fund raising project
- Thank supporters
- Complete a written evaluation or report, including:
- Contact names, addresses, and phone numbers
- Time lines and important dates
- Suggestions of things to do differently