| Raising funds for any organization can be a daunting | | | | success. These goals will also allow you to check |
| task. Setting solid and useful goals for your event is a | | | | your progress part way through your event. Best of |
| critical step toward a hugely successful outcome. | | | | all, if you have a measurable goal, and your team |
| Here are some great tips on setting your goals and | | | | meets the goal, you have a superb reason to |
| getting you started on your way to a profitable and | | | | celebrate your success at the end of your event! |
| fun fundraising event. Don't settle for less. Check out | | | | Agreed-upon. Be sure you are communicating with |
| these simple tips! | | | | your team and that each member understands and |
| Use the SMART goals technique to make sure your | | | | supports the fundraising goals. Ongoing |
| goals are useful and will have an impact on your | | | | communication is critical to a successful event. |
| bottom line. All of your goals should meet the | | | | Regularly communicate progress and check-in with |
| SMART criteria. | | | | individuals who may need assistance. |
| Specific. Decide how much money you need to raise | | | | Realistic. Set goals for your team that are realistic |
| and how the money will be used. If you connect the | | | | and attainable. There is nothing more de-motivating |
| use of the money to the interests and emotions of | | | | than having a goal imposed that you don't think you |
| your volunteers, your team will be much more | | | | can reach. Remember to consider the natural gifts |
| engaged and energized. For example, if your goal for | | | | that each of your team members brings to the table. |
| the fundraiser is "to raise as much as possible, as | | | | Use those on the team with natural sales |
| soon as possible, for use sometime on a project," it | | | | personalities to do the selling. Have members who |
| will be difficult for your volunteers to connect and | | | | aren't as comfortable selling handle organization and |
| engage with the goal. Instead try a goal like, "we will | | | | paperwork. Play to the strengths of your team! |
| raise $3000 within 3 weeks and the money will be | | | | Time-framed. The time frame is a very important |
| used to buy new uniforms for our team." Team | | | | component to a successful fundraising event. 3 |
| members will now know how their fundraising work | | | | weeks creates a sense of urgency and fosters |
| will affect them. If you're raising funds for a | | | | enthusiasm. Volunteers can participate and not be |
| charitable organization, the same idea applies. You | | | | overwhelmed by a long event that requires too much |
| goal could be something like, "we need to raise $1500 | | | | of their time. Product is delivered quickly so the |
| by October 20th to help Mary with cancer treatment | | | | customers can have their product in a timely manner. |
| expenses." See how much more powerful your | | | | Profits are created quickly should there be a mission |
| specific goals are? | | | | critical need. |
| Measurable. Making your goals measurable goes right | | | | If you use this SMART technique for setting your |
| along with making them specific. Measurable goals | | | | fundraising goals, you'll be off to a solid start toward |
| allow you to know if you fundraising event is a | | | | a profitable fundraising event. |