Step 3: Running Your Fundraising Campaign
Of course, there are many different types of fundraisers that you can plan, but essentially they are each run the same way…
1. Lead by example.
The example to set is being cool and having fun. If you’ve assembled a good team and have planned ahead, your event should go off without too many hitches. If you’ve gone solo and haven’t done the groundwork, you may find yourself running around like a chicken with its head cut off and that really doesn’t inspire confidence in your participants. 
2. Equip your participants.
Whether your participants are selling chocolate bars or running a spaghetti dinner, make sure they know what’s expected of them and equip them with the information they need to do a great job and have fun doing it. Show them how to sell. Teach them how to approach and interact with donors. Let them know that they’re not alone and that you and your committee/team are available for assistance and advice anytime.
3. Dialogue with your participants and keep them motivated.
Don’t send your team out to raise money and then find out when it’s over that they’re miserable and haven’t brought in a dime. Talk with them corporately and individually throughout the campaign or during the carwash/dinner/auction, etc.
Every participant is valuable to the cause… let them know that. If sales aren’t going well, work with the individual to help them get on track. If you’re running a dinner or rummage sale or car wash, make sure everyone gets a chance to help out in different ways and rotate them through a variety of stations/roles. Don’t have Jamie scrubbing tires all afternoon… let him man the hose for a while!
4.Track your progress.
By staying in the loop and talking with participants, you’ll have a good sense of whether or not you’re on course to meet your financial goal. That’s critical for a couple of reasons:
- If your fundraiser takes place over the course of a few weeks, you’ll have time to make some tweaks along the way to get back on track (make more appeals to your church congregation, send letters home with parents, increase your marketing/promotion efforts, etc.).
- If you’re running an auction or dinner, track how much money is coming in and keep the donors aware. If the event comes to a close in 30 minutes and you’re $300 short of your goal… make an appeal for increased financial support. They want to be a part of your success and it’s really exciting for everyone to know that the goal was reached by the end of the night.
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