Eight Traits of Effective Youth
Fundraising Programs:
Creativity

Nothing stifles creativity like rules and regulations, or like committees that meet to determine what other people may or may not do. Turf wars erupt, people get hurt feelings, and morale drops. Talented and committed people find other things to do with their time, and the fund-raising program suffers.

What's the solution? Create an environment that is as "open" as possible to new ideas and innovations. Sure, you have to have some control over procedures and policies, but they can intentionally be kept at a minimum.

One maxim is to delegate authority along with responsibility. That means "If you are charged with a certain task, you get to decide how you're going to do that task." When responsibility is delegated to a person but authority is retained by the leader, the person's creativity is stifled. Sometimes they simply are not as effective doing the project the way another person (the leader) would do it.

Try this plan: allow anyone in the organization to come up with a fund-raising idea, provided they meet four guidelines.

1. The person needs only the permission of the overall leader in order to attempt a project in the name of the organization.
   
2. The person does not expect other leaders to promote the project or even to come to the event(s).
   
3. The person is given a budget and has control of how those funds are spent.
   
4. The person is responsible to enlist their own workers from the group.

Wise fund-raising leaders will make one of two decisions. One is to jump on the project and take charge of it (if they want to lead it themselves), or, if they are not so keen on the idea, they say to the person, "Hey, this is your idea-- you are excited about it and believe in it. Why don't you take charge of doing it and I'll see that you have the support of leadership."

Either one of these choices is better than the third option, which is to say, "I don't think that's such a hot idea, so we won't be able to do it." Unless the idea is really terrible (i.e.: impractical, too risky, or unethical) it may be better to allow the idea person to try it themselves. Hey, they may be able to make it work! Even if not, you cultivate an atmosphere in your group that innovation is welcome, that people have a freedom to experiment (which includes a freedom to fail) and that failure is an event, not a person.

Do this, and over the long run, creativity will be maximized to the group's benefit.



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Jim Walters serves in a local church ministry in Denver, Colorado. Along with his wife Connie, who has led fund-raisers for both church, elementary school, and high school groups, they formed Booster Solutions to help others find profitable answers to their fundraising problems.

Together they have written "Top Ten Youth Fundraisers", a 16 page handbook that details their plans for 10 great fundraising ideas. Each plan in the manual is fresh, tested and profitable. They work well for both school and church groups. This is not a rehash of coupon books, subscriptions or car washes.

Every plan includes: 1) an overview of the project as successfully completed. 2) a "key thought" ensuring your success. 3) step-by-step outline with options and thoughts on variations.

To order send a check for $7 (includes tax and shipping) to:

Jim Walters
11431 W. Lake Drive
Littleton CO 80127

For more information contact Jim at jimwltrs@aol.com.