The economy is struggling, but your fundraiser doesn't have to. By choosing a fundraising idea that doesn't require a lot of labor, overhead or time, you can conduct a successful fundraiser even during a recession. The trick is to find something that everyone wants or needs, and then sell it.
Some fundraisers sell popcorn, candy or magazine subscriptions door-to-door. I don't know about you, but when I see the kids coming up my walk and they are obviously selling a 3-ounce candy bar for 3 dollars, I don't answer the door. I would probably be more likely to give them the 3 dollars if they just knocked on my door and said, "I'm collecting money for
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Additionally, I retired from Law Enforcement, and I heard too many horror stories about children who were selling in "safe" neighborhoods. I wouldn't let my children do it. Well, my son is 29 years old now, so maybe I'd let him go door-to-door…but you know what I mean.
What Is A Good Fundraising Idea That Is Easy And Profitable?
One that I have personally been involved in is the family style personalized cookbook. A fraternal organization to which I belong created a cookbook a few years ago. It was a great success. In fact, we have had it reprinted a couple times and sold them, too. The idea of a cookbook as a fundraiser has been around for a long time. Generations, in fact. One publisher has been doing it since 1947. How's that for a good record?
Details…I Want Details.
OK. First you form a committee that will handle logistics and delegate responsibilities. You can't have a project without a committee. It makes things run smooth, and the committee members feel smug and superior about their position. (Everybody likes to be in charge once in a while.) They will determine when it should be done, where to sell them, and help with the design of the cookbook, so make sure you select qualified people for the committee.
Next is the process of gathering recipes. Everyone in your organization will be able to provide one or two recipes. Talk to your neighbors and friends. Contact the local fire department or city hall and see if they will have their employees contribute. E-mail has made collecting recipes even easier. Try sending a message to people in your address book and explain what you are doing. It is very easy to send a recipe back to you that way.
Design Is Important.
The publisher should allow you to have as much, or as little creative input as you want. Don't work with one that requires you to pick from a handful of templates or designs. This is your project, and it should be a reflection of your organization and its ideals. Things to consider are the covers, the dividers, the paper stock, the overall organization of the cookbook, and whether you want to include dedication pages or advertising.
Nose around in the website of your publisher and see examples of designs other groups have created. See if they will send a sample of cookbooks to you, along with other information. If the publisher is eager to do those things for you, you can be assured they will work with you on all aspects of the project.
Marketing The Cookbooks.
Not a problem. Everyone in your organization will probably want one. Everyone that contributed a recipe will probably want one. Those people will buy an extra for a gift, too. The rest can be sold at school or church activities, during street fairs, or in local businesses that will provide some counter space for a stack. Other businesses may let you put up a poster with ordering information. And…you can get your 29-year old son to go door-to-door. My experience, though limited, indicates that selling them is easy. Some people just like to collect them. My wife is one. She has dozens of cookbooks from various clubs, schools, churches and organizations. There isn't a cookbook out there that she doesn't like.
Bottom Line.
Find the right publisher. Get the people in your group excited. Show examples to them. Talk about it. Once they are all fired up, the rest is easy.
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Andy Barber is a retired police/fire/EMS dispatcher. After a quarter of a century of "stomping the pedal," as he likes to call it, he took an early retirement and became a freelance writer. Currently he is working for Cookbook Publishers, a company that has been helping people and organizations raise money since 1947. When Andy isn't writing, he spends time on his eastern Kansas farm with his wife and the 2 younger of their 3 sons. Andy also has a love for Harley Davidson motorcycles. He regularly criss-crosses the USA on his bike to meet with friends and see this beautiful country. Cookbook Publishers has been helping people with fundraisers for years, so check them out and see what they can do for you.
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