Is There a Best Fundraising Company for Our Group?

What you should know about finding the right company.

How do you pick the best fundraising company possible for your organization? Loyalty is one of the main reasons that schools pick a particular company. They've been working with the same representative for years, and as long as nothing changes, they will continue on the same course. It's almost like being on autopilot. Every year the sponsor signs up for the same fundraiser in May and then runs it in September. And why not. These sponsors are already familiar with the process and seem to raise the same amount of money yearly.

Other organizations look at how much profit they can get as their determining factor. After all, getting as much return as possible on your sales is valid. But how can you know if you've made the best choice possible? Is there a best fundraising company out there for your group? Here are some things to think about.

Company Loyalty Breeds Complacency

Just because something is familiar and easy doesn't mean it's what's best. Yes, it's true; no one likes to run a fundraiser, and the less work you must do, the better. However, shouldn't your current company work with you to improve your sales results each year? That is unless you're satisfied with raising the same amount yearly.

Evaluate the Entire Fundraising Package

Consider looking at the total package being offered. In addition to their brochure selection, what types of prize programs are offered? Most companies use the same type of incentive program. Consider looking for a company that offers a prize program that may inspire your students to sell more items.

What kinds of sales tools does the company provide? Sales tools should have two primary objectives. They should help you:

1. Improve overall sales
2. Make the fundraising process simple

Does the company offer additional student incentive ideas, and what about their customer service? How do you plan to communicate with the company during your sale? Do they provide a fundraiser guidebook to help you run your sale efficiently?

You Don't Take Profit to the Bank

So much emphasis is placed on how much profit you can get. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg. It can be argued that groups focusing on this are missing out on much better ways to increase their bottom line. Instead, you should look at the company's ideas to increase the total amount of money you can bring in. After all, you take money to the bank, not profit.

Ask for Comparable Fundraiser References

You should ask the company to provide you with relative references. By that, we mean how much money was brought in by the same type of school with a similar enrollment and socioeconomic community.

Perhaps the best fundraising company is the one you haven't even worked with yet.

See our brochure fundraisers.

Author Bio

Clay Boggess has been designing fundraising programs for schools and various nonprofit organizations throughout the US since 1999. He’s helped administrators, teachers, and outside support entities such as PTAs and PTOs raise millions of dollars. Clay is an owner and partner at Big Fundraising Ideas.