Top 3 reasons fundraisers fail

plus tips to succeed

the last reason may sound too familiar

At Fundrazor, we have noticed that fundraisers often fail due to similar reasons.

Unfortunately, the people responsible for making fundraising decisions usually lack good quality fundraising experience, and sometimes the fundraising position is given to them unexpectedly.

Nevertheless, we are here to help you overcome this lack of experience with a quick 5-minute read that can be a game-changer for anyone new to the fundraising position.

#1 Failing to set a Goal

To start your fundraising campaign, the first step is to establish a clear goal of how much money you need to raise.

Once you have set your fundraising goal, it is important to create a well-thought-out plan on how to achieve it.

For instance, suppose you need to raise $20,000 to purchase a new scoreboard, and you have 200 baseball players in your league. In that case, you can consider our cookie dough fundraiser.

Each player can sell 10 cookie dough tubs, and you can successfully reach your target of $20,000 in profit.

It is a common mistake to assume that your fundraising materials would automatically generate sales. You need to create a well-structured plan and set clear goals for each team, grade, and individual.

In addition, it is essential to communicate the reason why you are fundraising. It is best to do this through one-on-one communication, but social media, group texting, and emails can be useful as well. Remember, if you fail to prepare, you are preparing to fail. So, establish clear goals, create a workable plan, and communicate effectively to achieve success.

👍🏽 Helpful Tip:

Professional fundraising companies (aka Fundrazor) will provide comprehensive resources and the support needed to assist you in achieving your fundraising goals. It is recommended to select a fundraising company that offers customer service support 7 days a week, including after-hours assistance if needed. (Fundrazor does this, others don’t)

See your earning potential

FREE profit analysis

Request a FREE quote to accurately estimate your potential profits, which can be 3-4 times higher with our products and services.

#2 Not having enough help

One of the most common reasons why fundraisers fail is due to a lack of time or manpower. Running a successful fundraiser requires more than just one person doing things for the organization.

To avoid this, it’s important to ensure that you have enough resources to get the job done. This might mean recruiting volunteers or setting up a fundraising committee.

Another important factor in successful fundraising is delegation. Instead of trying to do everything yourself, it’s important to delegate tasks and responsibilities to members of your team. This not only helps to spread the workload, but it also ensures that everyone is working towards the same goals and objectives.

One effective strategy for delegation is the team mom concept, which involves enlisting the help of parents or other volunteers to manage specific aspects of the fundraiser, such as organizing events, handling logistics, or managing communications.

Ultimately, the key to successful fundraising is recognizing that it’s a team effort. By working together, with a clear plan and a shared sense of purpose, it’s possible to achieve great results and make a positive impact for the youth in your organization.

👍🏽 Helpful Tip:

Start recruiting in the off-season just like the pros do.

Recruiting new volunteers is crucial for any organization, and it’s best to start during the off-season. 

You can use your league’s social media account to spread the word to aks for more volunteers. Moreover, it’s advisable to reach out to your local chamber of commerce as they may have resources for individuals who are new to the community and looking to network. You may cross-check these names to see if their children are registered to play in your league. This can be an effective way to identify potential volunteers who are looking for ways to network and meet new people in your community. 

See your earning potential

FREE profit analysis

Request a FREE quote to accurately estimate your potential profits, which can be 3-4 times higher with our products and services.

#3 Low Participation from Parents

Fundraising failure is often caused by a lack of participation from parents.

It’s very frustrating for an organizational leader to see only a small percentage of parents getting involved in the organization’s fundraiser each season, especially when volunteers spend countless hours helping their kids.

However, thanks to social media and smartphones, participating in a fundraiser is easier than ever before. We believe that everyone should do their part in fundraising, even if it’s as simple as making a Facebook post about the fundraiser.

Successful organizations have specific expectations for each participant and parent, so consider making participation mandatory or finding ways to encourage more engagement before the next season.

Remember, you’re volunteering for the kids, not for a popularity contest.

👍🏽 Helpful Tip:

We absolutely love this tip because it is very effective, and it came from one of our first customers. To ensure maximum participation in your organization’s fundraiser, consider adding a clause to your registration form, whether it is in digital or physical format. The clause can state that participation in the fundraiser is mandatory, and it can be worded as such: “By registering your child to play, you agree to participate in the organization’s fundraiser.” This simple step can increase participation from 20% to 30%, or even up to 90%, which can triple your fundraising revenue.

See your earning potential

FREE profit analysis

Request a FREE quote to accurately estimate your potential profits, which can be 3-4 times higher with our products and services.