How to Rescue Your High School Fundraiser

How to make your high school sale failproof.

How do you know if your high school students are outselling? At least you thought they appeared interested at your kickoff meeting. In any case, you’re still hoping they approach people and ask them to buy. You may even be reminding them to sell regularly. After all, the best you can hope for is that everyone does what you ask them to do, right?

Unfortunately, no matter what sponsors do, many find out after it’s too late that most didn’t sell anything. As a result, the group doesn’t meet its financial objectives, and sponsors are frustrated and feel they’ve wasted their time.

You can rescue your high school fundraiser before it’s too late.

Identify the Fundraiser Warning Signs

Here are some of the red flags to look for:

• Students haven’t asked for additional order forms. As students fill up their initial order form, they usually request an additional form to keep selling.
• Nobody’s talking about the sale or asked any questions.
• You don’t see sales materials in your student’s hands.

Once you’ve identified some possible warning signs, there are things you can do that may help.

1. Offer a conditional motivator. Attempt to spice up your sale by offering an additional incentive that will get your student’s attention.
2. Refocus your sellers. Schedule a follow-up meeting with your students to review your goals and objectives.
3. Extend the sale. If necessary, give your students more time to sell. Ensure they know you are giving them additional time to reach their sales goal.

Track Your Fundraising Progress

The best way to prevent a poor sale is to be proactive. Inform your students that you’ll check to ensure they’re selling. We recommend having three check-in days where students must verify how many items they’ve sold on their order forms. Tell them they’ll also need to show you their money collection envelopes. Document their progress on paper or electronically. Many sponsors offer incentives on their check-in days to help facilitate the process.

Learn how to track your fundraiser.

If you’re willing to track your sale, you’ll prevent unwanted sales surprises and reinforce your expectations.

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.