Putting the “Fun” Back in Fundraising! Reducing the Stress of “Financial Leadership Activities”

We were planning to plan ahead but didn’t plan for all the other plans others were planning…

DESPERATION!!!?????? NOOOOOOOO!

OK, so maybe it isn’t fun… But how can we make it less stressful now and for the future?

Start With the End in Mind What is your budget? Based on five year trends, how much will you need this year for everything? Create a balance sheet of projected and actual income and expenses. Use it as your guide.

Fact: Money Doesn’t Grow On Trees Sponsorships Donations Partnerships

A simple balance sheet. Start with your anticipated expenses A simple balance sheet Start with your anticipated expenses then plan how you will get there, income sources and how much realistically you will make as you receive your actual income from each event or source, you can begin to move ahead with actual expenses, saving the “fun” add on stuff for last Anticipated Income $$$$ Anticipated Expenses $$$$ Actual Income$$$$$$ Actual Expenses $$$$$

Establish a brand. Selling to your mission

Why do you need a mission? A mission helps you to identify what you need A mission helps you to create an identity for your students – market placement and identity are everything. What sets you apart? A mission helps you to maintain your focus on the end goal. You need to create a consistent identity……. Think of all the brands you recognize on sight. YOU NEED TO BE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER STUDENT GROUPS AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING Create “signature” funding opportunities….. What will you do that no one else (or very few) are doing?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 1.7 Million charitable opportunities in the US. Make yours stand out

Be involved Teamwork Dedication Determination Collaborate

Donor Groups First Aid/Water Virtual 5k Race “Anything”-a-thons CPR training Themed dinners/silent auctions

What Barriers? Know your district rules Enlist your administration support Student/Parental Unit Buy-In What else is going on in the community? What are you offering that your community wants/needs? Market saturation Know your local economy What is the return on value? Can you value add?

Questions????

Contact info: Theresa Bloom tbloom@coloradomesa.edu 970-255-2616