Fundraising is the same. If you want your fundraiser to be successful, you need to lay a foundation. If you want to raise a lot of money, you need to set goals, make a plan, and employ lots of publicity.

I once saw a cartoon that showed a sad-looking little guy gazing at a sign that said, “Mood Clinic. Hours: Anytime we feel like it.” Some youth groups raise money that way—sort of haphazardly and without a plan. If your group falls into that category, you can turn things around. Youth groups always need to raise money. Here’s a blueprint to make your fundraising more effective.

Step 1: Decide “What for” and “How Much”

There is more to fundraising than getting money for the group. It is a way for everyone to work together for a common cause. Fundraising done well can build fellowship, unity, leadership skills, and a strong sense of purpose beyond yourselves.

First, the group members need to decide what programs, retreats, work trips, and mission projects they want to do for the next six to twelve months. After that part of the master plan is in place, you need to estimate how much the entire plan will cost. This could be done by the whole group or by a small committee. Developing a cost estimate lets you see how much money needs to be raised to support the plan. The next step is to decide:

1. How much money you need to raise with fundraisers;
2. How much money should come from your own personal giving.

Step 2: Develop a Plan

Now that you know about how much money you need from pledges and how much from fundraisers, use that information and the ideas in this article and other articles in this series to plan which fundraisers you want to do for the next six to twelve months. As you select fundraisers, limit the number of big, fancy ones to one or tow a year; or else you will spend all your time raising money! Also, plan a variety of types and stick mostly with fundraisers that offer a good value for the money.

When you have planned which fundraisers you are going to do and when you are going to do them, go ahead and put them on your group’s calendar. For things that use church facilities and involve the whole congregation, clear the event with the church office now. If other facilities or groups will be involved, clear the events with them as well.

Making It Happen

Congratulations! You have dug the hole for the foundation! Now it is time to pour the concrete. Here comes the “nitty-gritty” how-to for making each fundraiser a whopping success.