3 Steps to Organizing an Eco-Friendly School Fundraiser

Guest post by J.R. Plate

There are a variety of ways to raise money for schools and student groups and there probably isn’t one right way to go about it. However, if you have the right product to offer, a clear and concise plan to execute and an excited group of people the chances of meeting or exceeding you goals are very likely. The following 3 step plan should offer a solid framework for your school or student group to work within for their next eco-friendly fundraiser.

Find the Right Product

As Americans become increasingly “eco-savvy” we are placing more importance on making the right choices with our purchasing power. This trend holds true when it comes to product offerings for a fundraiser. Choosing to employ an eco-friendly fundraiser can give your group a distinct advantage.

Instead of selling candy, cookie dough, cookbooks or candles you can now offer products such as eco-friendly cleaning supplies, reusable grocery bags, biodegradable trash bags, organic coffees, teas or chocolates and eco-friendly pet products such as organic dog biscuits. All of these products have higher value because most people use them on a daily basis, they are healthier for humans and the planet and can even save people money.

Create Excitement & Get the Word Out

The second step is possibly the most important step to reaching your fundraising goal. Every good fundraiser has momentum because the participants are excited. To get participants excited about an eco-friendly fundraiser they need to understand what makes these products better than all the other products they have sold in the past. For example, an assembly or meeting can be held and a demonstration of the positive effects of using reusable grocery bags can be displayed by having 300+ bags strewn about the room. Then explain that each person in the room is responsible for 300+ bags each year being thrown away and ultimately creating pollution. However, by using reusable bags these 300 bags can be eliminated.

In addition to getting the fundraiser participants excited, don’t be afraid to get the local media involved. Media outlets love getting press releases about positive activities such as eco-friendly fundraisers that local schools are involved with. Once your story hits the media the community will support your fundraiser even more.

Cast a Broad Net To Reach Supporters

Traditionally product fundraisers have operated using one method and that is through catalog drives. There is nothing wrong with conducting a catalog drive in your local community to gain support for your eco-friendly fundraiser, however, teaming up with a fundraising group that offers internet sales will allow you to reach out to family members and friends throughout the country without having to do very much extra work.

These long distance supporters would simply go to the fundraising organization’s website, purchase the products they like, these would then get shipped directly to them and your group will get credit for the sale. Taking advantage of all the tools on the internet that exist such as email, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter to name a few can make your next fundraiser a huge success!! (For more information on promoting your event, read How to Make Your Fundraising Efforts Go Viral).

There are never guarantees that a particular fundraiser will be successful. But, if you follow the above simple steps and team up with a fundraising organization that has the tools and resources available to help you make the process efficient and effective you shouldn’t have too much trouble reaching your goals.

J.R. Plate is the Co-Founder of Green New Earth (GNE), an eco-friendly fundraising company that helps schools, student groups and non-profits reach their fundraising goals. GNE offers a variety of fundraising programs including catalog drives, event planning & sponsorships, internet fundraising and more. For more information or to participate in a fundraiser visit Green New Earth.

3 Simple Steps to Organizing and Executing an Eco-Friendly School or Student Group Fundraiser

There are a variety of ways to raise money for schools and student groups and there probably isn’t one right way to go about it. However, if you have the right product to offer, a clear and concise plan to execute and an excited group of people the chances of meeting or exceeding you goals are very likely. The following 3 step plan should offer a solid framework for your school or student group to work within for their next Eco-Friendly Fundraiser.

  1. Find the Right Product- As Americans become increasingly “eco-savvy” we are placing more importance on making the right choices with our purchasing power. This trend holds true when it comes to product offerings for a fundraiser. Choosing to employ an Eco-Friendly Fundraiser can give your group a distinct advantage. Instead of selling candy, cookie dough, wrapping paper or candles you can now offer products such as eco-friendly cleaning supplies, reusable grocery bags, biodegradable trash bags, organic coffees, teas or chocolates, CFL light bulbs and eco-friendly pet products such as organic dog biscuits. All of these products have higher value because most people use them on a daily basis, they are healthier for humans and the planet and in the case of the CFL light bulb they can save people money.
  2. Create Excitement & Get the Word Out- The second step is possibly the most important step to reaching your fundraising goal. Every good fundraiser has momentum because the participants are excited. To get participants excited about an Eco-Friendly Fundraiser they need to understand what makes these products better than all the other products they have sold in the past. For example, an assembly or meeting can be held and a demonstration of the positive effects of using reusable grocery bags can be displayed by having 300+ bags strewn about the room. Then explain that each person in the room is responsible for 300+ bags each year being thrown away and ultimately creating pollution. However, by using reusable bags these 300 bags can be eliminated. In addition to getting the fundraiser participants excited, don’t be afraid to get the local media involved. Media outlets love getting press releases about positive activities such as Eco-Friendly Fundraisers that local schools are involved with. Once your story hits the media the community will support your fundraiser even more.
  3. Cast a Broad Net To Reach Supporters- Traditionally product fundraisers have operated using one method and that is through catalog drives. There is nothing wrong with conducting a catalog drive in your local community to gain support for your Eco-Friendly Fundraiser, however, teaming up with a fundraising group that offers internet sales will allow you to reach out to family members and friends throughout the country without having to do very much extra work. These long distance supporters would simply go to the fundraising organization’s website, purchase the products they like, these would then get shipped directly to them and your group will get credit for the sale. Taking advantage of all the tools on the internet that exist such as email, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter to name a few can make your next fundraiser a huge success!!

There are never guarantees that a fundraiser will be successful. But, if you follow the above Simple Steps and team up with a fundraising organization that has the tools and resources available to help you make the process efficient and effective you shouldn’t have too much trouble reaching your goals.