Group Fundraising Dos and Don’ts

In group fundraising, where multiple people work together to achieve a shared goal, it’s all about careful planning and execution. There are countless pitfalls to avoid and tips to incorporate if your event is going to be a success. There’s an art to getting fundraising right and understanding that can make all the difference. In this post, we’ll explore the dos and don’ts of group fundraising to help get your group on the right track. With these guidelines, you can avoid common mistakes and set your group up for success.

Table of Contents

• The Dos of Group Fundraising
• The Don’ts of Group Fundraising

When it Comes to Group Fundraising, Do…

1. Make it Easy by Providing Multiple Ways to Give

People are more likely to support your group if it is easy and convenient for them to do so. Offering several methods for people to contribute – whether through cash, checks, online platforms, or mobile payments – makes the process more seamless and caters to everyone’s preferred method of interaction and payment.

That’s why we recommend integrating an online store into your fundraising strategy. Online stores offer several advantages to fundraisers, such as:

• Increased Visibility: An online store increases the visibility of your fundraiser by making it accessible to a broader audience. Supporters who may not have been able to participate in a traditional peer-to-peer fundraiser can now easily support your cause.
• Higher Seller Averages: Groups that sell both online and in person often see higher sales than those who don’t use an online store. In Butter Braid® Pastry fundraisers, groups that have implemented this hybrid approach have increased their sales by up to 54%.
• Simple and Convenient Purchasing Process: With the online store, supporters can order and pay online using their credit card or mobile wallet.
• Easier to Manage: Programs that have an online store option often come with an online management system. This system can allow you to do things like tally, review, and submit order forms online.

2. Recognize Supporters and Show Your Appreciation

A simple “thank you” can go a long way. When people feel appreciated, they are more likely to continue supporting your cause in the future. Whether through personalized thank-you notes, social media spotlights, or public recognition, showing genuine gratitude for the people who supported you can help foster lasting relationships with those supporters. For more tips on thanking your supporters and some examples, check out our post 5 Easy Ways to Thank Your Supporters.

3. Set Realistic Goals

When you’re ready to begin setting goals for your group and your individual sellers, we recommend using the SMART method. Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) goals is a powerful strategy for helping groups achieve their fundraising targets. By breaking down what needs to be accomplished into clear, actionable steps, SMART goals provide a roadmap to set your group up for success.

• Specific: Start by defining exactly what you want to achieve. Instead of setting a vague goal like “sell a lot of items”, set a specific target. For a group goal, this could be “raise $2,000 for new playground equipment”. For individual sellers, it may look like “get a minimum of 10 people to support you”. This clarity helps everyone understand exactly what is expected of them and allows them to concentrate their efforts on a tangible objective.
• Measurable: Ensure the goal can be quantified so that progress can be tracked. Being able to measure progress helps maintain motivation and provides a sense of accomplishment as you get closer to your goals.
• Achievable: Goals should be challenging but realistic. If a goal is too difficult, sellers may become discouraged. Conversely, if it’s too easy, they may not push themselves to their full potential. Consider your group’s experience, resources, and time availability when setting these goals.
• Relevant: The goal should align with the overall objectives of the fundraising campaign.
• Time-Bound: Finally, set a deadline to create urgency and encourage consistent effort. Whether it’s reaching a weekly target or the final campaign deadline, having a time frame keeps sellers (and even supporters) focused and helps prevent procrastination.

4. Keep Sellers Motivated

Maintaining seller motivation is essential to sustaining the momentum of your campaign. Make sure you consistently communicate with your sellers, share updates on their progress, and remind them why their efforts matter. Motivation can come from a sense of accomplishment, personal challenge, or even a friendly competition within the group. Keeping the energy high ensures that no one loses steam mid-way through the fundraiser.

For more information on seller motivation, check out our post on 6 Ways to Motivate Your Sellers.

5. Keep in Contact with Supporters

Be sure to keep communicating with supporters after the fundraiser is over. When it comes to a list of fundraising dos and don’ts, this is a big one. If you’re only in contact with supporters when you’re asking for donations, it can be a bit of a turn off. Steer away from making every communication piece an ask and, instead, find fun ways to foster positive, emotional connections to your group all year long. You can do this through a social media group, your website, a newsletter, or even by attending community events with your group.

When it Comes to Group Fundraising, Don’t…

1. Do it Alone!

Managing a fundraiser can be a monumental task and trying to handle everything on your own will not only overwhelm you but may also affect the success of the campaign. Rallying a team of dedicated volunteers ensures that tasks are divided and completed efficiently. This not only makes things run more smoothly but also builds a sense of community around your cause. Encourage your volunteers to take ownership of different aspects of the fundraiser, such as logistics, communications, or distribution. A collaborative effort always leads to greater success.

2. Extend Your Fundraiser

For many group leaders, it can be hard to know if you’ve set the right schedule for your event, particularly when it comes to the end date. As the fundraiser progresses, you may even find yourself considering extending the length of your fundraiser. Maybe you want more time to meet your goals or maybe you just want to keep a good fundraiser going. While we understand the temptation to extend the deadline, it’s better to keep it short. In our experience, fundraisers that are short, sweet, and to the point tend to be the ones that work the best.

If you’re still unsure, check out our four reasons why, when it comes to fundraising, shorter is better.

3. Sell a Product People Have Never Heard Of

While niche, new products may pique curiosity, selling something too obscure can alienate potential supporters. If people are unfamiliar with what you’re offering, they may be hesitant to make a purchase. Stick to products that are widely known and trusted, or, at the very least, ensure there is strong marketing support explaining the benefits of the items.

An example of this type of product? Butter Braid® Pastries! Braided by hand and made with 100% real butter, these pastries are bursting with sweet and savory fillings and can be topped with a sweet icing or rich dipping sauce. The premium quality and mouth-watering taste not only make them easy to sell but also ensures supporters are satisfied with their purchase. 

4. Sell Products with Low Per-Item Profit

When selecting a fundraising program, it’s essential to consider the per-item profit. Fundraisers with lower per-item profit may require you to put in a lot more work to achieve your goals, as you can see illustrated in the infographic above. Fundraising programs with high per-item profit, like Butter Braid® Pastry fundraisers, offer substantial returns for the effort invested. These types of programs allow groups to achieve their financial goals faster and with fewer resources, ensuring that most of the funds raised go directly to your group.

5. Let Group Members Sell by Themselves

This one mainly applies to those groups who have underaged members. Though, we think it’s a good idea for people of all ages.

Seller safety must be your highest priority. It’s essential to ensure that young sellers are supervised by a responsible adult when going door to door or participating in any face-to-face sales. Before you send your group out to start selling, emphasize these important safety rules:

• Don’t ever sell alone.
• Do not go inside someone’s house, regardless of how well you know them.
• Don’t sell after dark.
• Avoid carrying cash when you’re selling. Give it to a parent to hold onto until it’s time to turn it in.

Happy Fundraising!