Fundraisers For Youth Groups

Fundraisers for youth groups are the mainstay of many church groups and clubs all over the country, and the varieties of projects described on the Internet make it possible for any group to find a moneymaking project that meets its needs. Once the group has decided on the right fundraising project, the next step is to set a goal and determine exactly what the money is going for. People are more willing to give if the money is going for a mission trip, for instance, than if the purpose is vague. Knowing exactly how much the group is trying to raise gives every member something to reach for, which increases their enthusiasm for the project. Another way to increase the excitement level is to introduce some competition, i.e., divide the group into teams that will compete against one another for a prize.

The list of products available for fundraising for youth groups is quite long. Candies and cookies are long standing favorites, but a lot of other items have been added to the list. Popcorn, nuts, and cheeses are also popular food items. One company even has environmentally friendly pencils available for fundraisers for youth groups that smell like fruits--grapes, strawberries, etc., and the fragrance is guaranteed to last for a year. The usual seasonal greeting cards and gift wrapping sell well to people who would be buying those things anyway, and like the idea of helping young people at the same time. Candles with inviting fragrances are good sellers at this time because they are such a popular decorator item in many homes. A car wash in the church parking lot is a good way for a church youth group to raise funds, and there is no problem with finding a location.

With the help of adults, youth groups can have a turkey or spaghetti dinner (keep it simple) and sell tickets in advance. These are popular as annual events, and once the tradition has been established, it becomes something people look forward to. With products, it's a different story. No one has enjoyed the success of selling the same product every year that the Girl Scouts have. Usually, it's better to have something different every year as fundraising for youth groups, when they are going for product sales. Pink flamingos that "flock" members of the congregation have proved to be a good means of fundraising for church youth groups. The group secretly places a flock of pink flamingos on someone's lawn, and the homeowner has to pay to have them removed. That victim then names the next household to be flocked, and so on. Of course, the congregation or the public knows in advance that this is happening.

A variety of cookie recipes in a jar can be sold in fundraisers for youth groups. People buying the jar just add the liquid ingredients and bake the cookies. There aren't too many folks who don't enjoy home baked cookies. Cards offering "2 for 1" deals at local eateries are very popular now for fundraising for youth groups. Local businesses are usually willing to cooperate for this free advertisement. For a $10.00 fee, twenty meals can be exchanged. Specialized shoelaces, lanyards, or dog tags with the school or church logo on them can be sold to raise group spirit as well as money. While raising money is necessary to the functioning of any group in today's world, it is important for us to remember our most important use of money is for worship. "Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared." (Psalm 76:11)

There are some common mistakes made by those responsible for fundraisers for youth groups. They are: (1) Lack of planning. Communication with every team member is crucial, and a definitive plan with deadlines that are understood by everyone must be drawn up. Also, it is important to know what's going on in the community so there is no conflict between two like groups. (2) Not enough help. Make sure to recruit enough volunteers to do the job, and estimate the amount of time needed for each to do his job. Avoid burnout by limiting the amount of time each volunteer is expected to devote to the project. (3) Poor quality merchandise. Have the merchandise checked out before ordering to avoid disappointment and low sales. The group's reputation is on the line with this one. (4) Inadequate preparation. Written instructions with stated goals for every team member are necessary for any fundraisers for youth groups. Scripts for young salesmen are a must. (5) Poor support materials. If the company providing the product for sale doesn't provide good flyers and ad blurbs, the group will need to create its own. Colored paper and large print will make eye-catching flyers to distribute to local businesses and other locations that might be appropriate for advertising the fundraiser. In summary, good planning and follow-through can mean the difference between success and failure in fundraising for youth groups.

Youthful energy and a keen desire to do whatever it is the money is being raised for are two important ingredients in fundraising for youth groups, and wise leaders will capture those characteristics quickly. The list of possibilities included here are by no means comprehensive, but they may give someone wanting to help a youth group some ideas. More suggestions can be found on the Internet.

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