Since the first group of people got together to raise money, they have asked themselves this question: what are the truly good fundraising ideas? It may sound like a very easy question, but the answer is often not so simple. The reason is straightforward enough, what works for one group may not work for another.
At first, it can sound so simple. Step one, get together with a group of like-minded co-workers and/or friends, brainstorm, and come up with some ideas. No doubt the list will run the gamut from bake sales to door-to-door selling to letter writing campaigns to holding a fair or bazaar. But, out of this cornucopia of ideas, how is the best selected?
What it really boils down to is the group itself, its members. They need to decide what works best for them. Are they an outgoing and gregarious group? Maybe door-to-door would work well for them. Is the group just starting and has few members and limited resources? In that situation, some kind of fundraising card would probably work best. If the group is part of some national organization (e.g. First Book, the Red Cross, UNICEF), they normally have a whole set of prepared fundraising methods that are tried and true.
The critical thing to keep in mind here is to pay attention to how the members work, and work together. Selecting the wrong kind of fundraiser can be disastrous. The group will end up wasting valuable time, money, resources and effort, and getting little (if any) financial return. This can result in ruination for the group before it has ever gotten off the group as morale and motivation will become non-existent.
So, when trying to separate the good fundraising idea from the bad, here are some points to consider: first, look at the bottom line. What is it going to cost? Make sure it is within your group’s budget. Does the idea make good use of the resources you have and the talents of your members? Do you have enough people to get it done? Is the idea appropriate for your group and is it likely to appeal to the sorts of people you are looking to get donations from? Trying to sell subscriptions to "Guns & Ammo" to the residents of an ACLF (Adult Congregate Living Facility) probably won’t go over too well. Will the donors feel that they are getting something of value for their efforts? That will greatly enhance your chances of raising money. And that brings up the final point: will the idea bring in the kind of money you need? A school class looking to raise money from a bake sale is a far cry from a community theatre trying to get enough for a down payment on a building.