Fundraising answers

How do we plan a year of school fundraising?

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Start with the amount the school needs to retain and the volunteer time available, then schedule a small number of campaigns around school dates and supplier lead times. Raised can run product fundraisers, donation campaigns and athons during the year. An overall goal can show linked campaign progress, but it is not a substitute for a net-proceeds budget.

How should you choose the campaigns?

List the purpose of each campaign rather than repeating the same request every few weeks. A product drive may suit a local audience, an athon can centre on a school activity, and a donation appeal can reach supporters further away.

Leave time between sales, deliveries and events. Confirm dates with the school and suppliers before advertising, especially where volunteers would otherwise have to pack products during another major event.

How do you track the shared purpose?

Link campaigns to an overall goal where they contribute to the same project. Check how each campaign total is calculated before treating the combined progress as money available after costs.

Keep a separate budget for supplier invoices, event supplies and fees. A combined goal can communicate progress while your accounts record establishes the final retained amount.

What should the next committee inherit?

Keep a short campaign record: dates, task owners, product range, communication plan, gross sales or donations and reconciled proceeds. Avoid assuming next year will produce the same result.

  1. Agree the annual purpose and budget.
  2. Choose campaign formats and term dates.
  3. Check supplier lead times and volunteer availability.
  4. Set up campaigns and an overall goal if useful.
  5. Review each result before deciding whether to repeat it.
How do we plan a year of school fundraising? | Raised