Basics 101: $$ Amount Needed from Your Fundraiser

Basic to every fundraising activity is the need to determine why you are actually having that particular fundraising project. Do you really need extra funds for your organization, or are you simply embarking on the fundraiser because other clubs and organizations are actively raising money? If done properly, fundraising projects can create an atmosphere of unity and sense of purpose between the group’s members, although that reasoning is probably a bit on the “ify” side, if you don’t have a need for additional funds or an outlet for the spending of the money.

For those groups (and that’s the majority) who definitely have a need for additional funds, it is very important to decide how much money is absolutely necessary for that trip, party, benefit, or for whatever the funds are being raised. It is great to raise more than the absolutely necessary amount, but you want to make certain that you definitely bring in enough money to take care of the necessary “stuff”. If you sponsor a school organization or club, you need to make sure that you are on the approved group fundraiser calendar, and that you know exactly the time period that you are allotted.

If your fundraising needs are obviously greater than what you feel that you could raise in one fundraising activity, you need to decide how much money is the minimum amount that you need to bring in on each of your various group fundraisers. For example, in the course of raising needed funds, you may decide to set a minimum of $3,000.00 profit on an October cookie dough fundraising activity, $2,000.00 profit on a January candy fundraising sale and $1,500.00 on a March flower bulb fundraiser. Planning is crucial; You must know your group’s needs, as well as how to adequately meet or exceed those needs through wise fundraising practices.