6 Stages of Fundraising | How to Successfully Fundraise

Fundraising for a nonprofit group can be a challenge. Although some might find it daunting at first, they don’t need to. By following some simple steps and keeping their eye on the ball, any fundraising group can get the money it needs to thrive.

Over 19,000 nonprofit organizations fundraise with Rada each year, including schools, churches, sports teams, youth groups, and civic organizations. We’ve learned all there is to know about fundraising, and are sharing much of that knowledge right here! Watch this video or read on to learn about the six stages of successful fundraising.

6 Stages of Successful Fundraising

 

As discussed in the above video, here are the six stages of successful fundraising. Follow them and success is certain!

1. Select the Right Fundraiser – Before you start your fundraiser, you have to figure out what will be right for you and your group. Ask yourself a few questions: How long will the fundraiser last? Will it have a variety of options? Will your fundraiser offer potential supporters products or services that they actually want?
2. Plan Your Fundraiser – A little bit of planning will pay huge dividends for any fundraiser. Take the time to consult with your team members and figure out how your group will maximize its chances of success. Assign goals and tasks as necessary, and establish key performance indicators (KPIs) that will allow you to track the fundraiser’s progress.
3. Promote Your Fundraiser –  Get the word out! If people don’t know about your fundraiser, they can’t support you. Use social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to help spread awareness. Enlist your teammembers to tell friends and family. Put up fliers on community bulletin boards. Reach out to local members of the media such as newspaper writers and radio show hosts.
4. Begin Your Fundraiser – Once you’re ready, get started! Whatever your sales methods, hit the streets, work the phones, or surf the web to make sales. Keep an eye on this KPIs, as they will let you know whether your fundraiser is behind, ahead, or right on time. Whatever the case, keep up a good effort throughout. Don’t become complacent if it starts strong, and don’t get down if it doesn’t initially meet expectations. Keep in touch with your team and raise those funds!
5. Fulfill Your Orders – Make certain that all of your customers receive what they ordered. Keep close track of every item sold and every payment made. The smoother this goes, the more likely supporters are to participate the next time you fundraise, and the more likely your team members are to rejoin.
6. Reflect on Your Fundraiser – Once the dust has settled, take stock of the experience. What worked well, and what didn’t? How did individual team members perform? Ask your team members about their thoughts on the matter. Apply your experiences to the next fundraiser and it will be an even greater success!

Fundraise Successfully with Rada Cutlery!

If you’re planning a fundraiser, you absolutely must take a look at Rada Cutlery! Rada has been the partner of choice for countless nonprofit groups since 1948. By partnering with Rada, your fundraiser has a number of advantages that will ensure success!

Here’s why Rada Cutlery is the best choice for all sorts of nonprofit fundraising:

1. Amazing Products People Want – Rada Cutlery offers cutlery, kitchen utensils, stoneware pans, cookbooks, and much more! All cutlery, utensils, and gift sets are backed by a Lifetime Guarantee, so supporters can buy and use with confidence.

2. Enormous Profits on All Sales – Rada Cutlery fundraisers give your group an incredible 40% average profit on items sold! That’s far more than most fundraisers. Your group’s efforts go further with Rada!

3. The Best Customer Service – Fundraising groups are known to rave about the quality of Rada’s customer service. Our friendly, knowledgeable representatives are committed to helping each fundraiser be a success!

4. Three Ways to Sell – A Rada fundraiser offers not one but three unique sales methods, each designed to maximize your group’s profits! Catalog sales is a tried-and-true method that allows your group to offer catalogs to friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers. Event sales allow groups to connect with supporters, taking advantage of friendly crowds and physical interaction with our stellar products. Online sales utilize the power of the Internet to allow fundraisers to make easy sales to supporters close and far. Use one, two, or all three methods to earn money for your cause!

5. USA-Made Cutlery – Every Rada product is made entirely in the USA, from materials to manufacture. American workers craft each item with superior skill, making products your group and its supporters can be proud of.

Rada’s fundraising catalog has all you need to know about Rada products and fundraisers!

Check out the Rada Cutlery EASY Leader’s Guide to learn more about why a Rada fundraiser is what’s best for your group!

Products Made in the USA!

All Rada Cutlery products are American-made! When you fundraise with Rada, you’re not just helping out your cause, but American industry, as well.

Watch this video to learn more about what makes Rada’s USA-made products the best around!

6 Stages of Fundraising Video Transcript

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In fundraising, it’s important not to skip or rush through any of the stages of a fundraiser. Here at Rada Manufacturing, we’ve identified the six key stages of a fundraiser, along with a few tips. Since our start in 1948, we’ve been working with thousands of fundraisers, so we feel that we are well-equipped to give you the best advice. So let’s get to it!

The first step to successful fundraising is to choose a fundraiser that will highlight your team’s strengths and help you accomplish your goals. Gather your team and talk about some fundraising ideas and ask questions about your team. Are they creative and outgoing? Are they organizing and selling? Would hosting a community event be beneficial, or would a catalog sales fundraiser like Rada Cutlery be good for your team? Basically, take time to weigh your options and take time to see what your community and your team would be most excited about.

Once you’ve selected a fundraiser, you can start the planning process. First, create a detailed timeline for your fundraiser with tasks for each of your team members. Next, set due dates for reaching out to contacts or setting up a venue because it will help keep your team on task and on schedule. Finally, take time to set goals and Key Performance Indicators, or KPIs. KPIs help you determine if you are accomplishing your goals. For example, if one of your goals is to raise money for relay for life in your community, the KPI could be to increase likes on your Facebook page. So make a timeline with goals and KPIs, and be sure to check your progress periodically throughout the fundraising process.

Now that the planning is complete and the goals have been set, it’s time to promote your fundraiser. Think about the best ways to reach your audience. Will they see promotion online or around the community? You can check multiple forms of promotion and see what works. In our experience, it’s better to delegate a team member or group specifically dedicated to promotion. This way you can keep the messages consistent and timely. Be sure to start promoting a few weeks before your fundraiser so your supporters can spread the word.

Here are some ways to raise awareness for your fundraiser. Your fundraiser has begun so enjoy the process and have fun! People who will be participating in your fundraiser will feed off of your enthusiasm. Remember that you can’t control everything, so just relax and go with the flow. You’ve done great planning and goal-setting so your fundraiser is bound to be a success. At this stage, continue to promote your fundraiser and keep track of how everything is going so you can see what did and didn’t work for next time. For a catalog or product fundraiser, the next step if ordering the items you’ve sold.

It doesn’t take long to order the correct products in the correct amount. If you provide your customers with the accurate products and amounts the first time, they’ll appreciate the professionalism and want to participate in future fundraisers. So take your time with this process and compare your fundraisers throughout. So you’ve received your products and now it’s time for your team to meet, sort, and distribute the products to your customers.

If your products are too large and your team can’t handle distribution on their own, let your customers know a time and place where they can meet to pick up their products. If haven’t received a payment from all your customers, make sure your team members receive the products before they receive their items.

Your fundraiser is complete! This is an exciting time, but it’s not over yet. Next, think about what went well and what could have gone better for next time. Don’t forget to send thank you notes to all of your participants and customers. While this is meant to be an opportunity for learning, be sure to focus on the positive aspects of your fundraiser so your team can feel excited about the next one. You can also have a party to celebrate your fundraiser, or consider giving out awards to the top sellers and promoters on your team. For more information you can go to radacutlery.com/fundraising/ideas. We hope you found this video helpful and that you consider Rada as a fundraising option!

With Rada Cutlery, your team can earn a 40% profit by selling useful, American-made products that your supporters will want to purchase to help your cause. Be sure to check out the customer comments after this video. Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you next time!

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