Fundraising can be difficult for the coordinators. If it’s the unmotivated parents and kids or the lack of organization, the coordinators deal with it all.

Many fundraisers happen in the fall, but NOW is the time to start planning. The good news is, with a little extra time up front; your fundraiser can run better than ever—with fewer frustrations.

Before you begin, establish clear goals and expectations. Certainly, fundraising is about money, but if you are raising money for a school trip, to purchase uniforms, or whatever, keep this goal in mind.  Imagine this dazzling reward (like the prizes you would remind kids about when they selling), and try to remember this through the process. You have an end goal that means more than just a dollar amount.

After you set your goal, here are a few steps to achieve it:

1. Find a great product or fundraiser. Tons of ideas are out there—from gift wrap sales to goldfish races, from grade pledges to greeting card sales.
2. Choose something that suits your community. Try to find something that sells itself, and people in your community will want to contribute.
3. Assign tasks to other, trustworthy people. Invest time in engaging volunteers before the fundraiser.
4. Organize! Set a meeting to get everyone involved—kids, teachers, even administrators.
5. Motivate the students with prizes, even make it into a competition. Don’t forget to remind them about the end goal—remember the trip or the uniforms for which you are raising money? Get them excited!
6. Communicate! Let everyone know about deadlines and expectations. Volunteers with unclear responsibilities get frustrated and disengage.

Lastly, choose a fundraising provider that will partner with your group for a successful fundraiser.  Most companies just focus on getting the sale and leave the fundraising up to you.  While your group is obviously responsible to “doing” the fundraiser, an experienced partner will help you organize it and provide logistical support throughout the process.