When looking to start your own fundraising intitiative, there are many factors to take into consideration. To ensure your success, remember these 10 easy tips!
Be Prepared -
Start by setting a goal for yourself. What do you hope to achieve?
Do your research ahead of time to help prepare.
Look at Your Timing -
Create a timeline of important milestones, objectives and targets. This will help give you something to work towards and ensure you don't forget key elements of your planning.
Keep a Budget -
How do you plan to raise money? How will you cover costs for promotional materials? Keep track of all your expenses to ensure they don't exceed your fundraising targets.
Ask for Help -
Avoid feeling overwhelmed by asking friends, family or your community to get involved. Your success will rely on the participation of those around you. Don't be afraid to approach them!
Be Resourceful -
Don't take for granted the resources at your fingertips. Spread the word online through Facebook, YouTube, Twitter; start your own blog; submit to your community, office or school paper; encourage friends and family to share with their own networks! With so many tools available to help us connect with many people very quickly - be sure to take advantage!
Stay Organized -
Update your to-do list regularly, marking off items that have been completed and highlighting the most urgent. Schedule regular meetings with volunteers and help manage any assigned responsibilities.
Be Flexible -
No matter how organized we try to be - "something" will always come up. Being flexible throughout your planning will help cushion the impacts of potential hiccups along the way.
Evaluate -
Both during and immediately following your efforts, look at what worked and what didn't - did you reach your goals? Stay on budget? Meet your deadlines? Evaluating your level of success will help identify key lessons or strategies to implement in future campaigns.
Be Thankful -
Don't forget to thank all those involved with your success! A heartfelt "thanks," a card, trinket or party - show how much you appreciated their support!
Have Fun -
The cardinal rule of fundraising - have fun! Remember, the more you enjoy yourself - the greater your chances of success!
How will you choose to Get Involved?