Fundraisers!  Please let me know what you think. 

Great topic. 

I have noticed something the last few years and it's what I started calling fundraiser fatigue.  People are completely overwhelmed with the amount of fundraisers and don't quite donate like they used to.  Every organization is strapped for cash and your friends, family, and neighbors are constantly hit up for donations.

Wish there was a better way to fund extracurricular activities that are sponsored by the schools, but that's a tall ask as well.

 

15 minutes ago, New Colonel said:

Great topic. 

I have noticed something the last few years and it's what I started calling fundraiser fatigue.  People are completely overwhelmed with the amount of fundraisers and don't quite donate like they used to.  Every organization is strapped for cash and your friends, family, and neighbors are constantly hit up for donations.

Wish there was a better way to fund extracurricular activities that are sponsored by the schools, but that's a tall ask as well.

This is a great town. But, if I don’t watch it, will wear out my welcome. The “fatigue” is real. 

I hate them, but I know they're a necessity.  I always prefer fundraisers where the donor gets something in return or can possibly get something in return (discount cards, mulch, raffles, etc).  However, those don't always yield the most.  I just hate asking people for money (granted, I hate asking for anything).  

Having a multi-sport athlete makes things even harder as you're hitting up the same people within a couple months for donations as both teams do the same fundraiser.  

Fundraiser U has been a popular one lately, but I don't think it brings in as much as it used to.  That just solicits people for money.  

Discount cards used to be an easy sell, but that has become more difficult.

I ran and have been helping run youth organization for years. It seemed like if I did the same fundraiser in back-to-back years, the second year was always way lower.  You almost had to rotate each year.

Digital discount cards seems to be the go to nowadays. Lots of people prefer the old school discount cards. One of the biggest complaints I see is they purchase the digital version and never use it!

Bourbon raffles.

18 minutes ago, nkypete said:

Bourbon raffles.

That is a good one!!

Like many of you have mentioned, “fatigue” is real, especially when it comes to money.  It feels like "everyone" has their hand out and often times the solicitation comes from big corporations/organizations and that doesn't sit right with a lot of us.

Here is the AI Overview from Google on the underlying causes of fundraising fatigue.

Over-solicitation:
Donors can feel overwhelmed by frequent and repetitive requests for donations, especially if they are not personalized or relevant to their interests. 

Lack of impact:
Donors may lose interest if they don't see how their contributions are making a difference. 

Poor communication:
A lack of clear, consistent, and engaging communication about the organization's work and impact can lead to donor fatigue. 

Lack of appreciation:
Donors may feel undervalued if they don't receive adequate recognition or gratitude for their support. 

Competition:
Donors may become fatigued when bombarded with requests from multiple organizations, especially those working in the same area. 

56 minutes ago, BigBlue92 said:

Digital discount cards seems to be the go to nowadays. Lots of people prefer the old school discount cards. One of the biggest complaints I see is they purchase the digital version and never use it!

From my experience, that's usually been the complaint with these- be it the handheld ones or digital cards.

Next on the digital card list is the "get off my lawn" type crowd, to which I always responded with, "Have your debit/credit card(s) on your phone?"  Often times that answer was a "Yes". Ended that contradictory conversation real quick.

We always had success with the cards, though, either old school or new school. Specifically, Jeff Durham, who is from Southern Indiana and has been a long time assistant football coach himself. Even though he's from Southern IN? He's done business and still does it with many programs across Kentucky (not just along the Southwest Kentuckiana region).

Now, as far as those who didn't use Apple Pay/Wallet already? Ok, fair enough.

IMVO opinion? You only need four a year & ranking them I think depends on your community/school:

1) Card Sales & if your local laws permit doing a "blitz" where the kids get to go door to door (obviously with coach/parent supervision).

• Target population? Local.

2) Advertising Signs (and, in some cases, they'd rather do an order or T-shirts with their logo/information on the back. That worked out even better, for them and us ?. Scattered, walking advertisement for them & swag for the boys).  To make advertising signs even better with less hassle? Find a parent(s) that not only wants to do it while their son(s) are coming up and going through, but if you're lucky enough? They'll handle it after theirs is done playing as well.

• Target population? Local & Coast to Coast (ex: Uncle Bubba, who lives and has a thriving business in North Carolina, but WORE the uniform back in the day? Yeah, he wants to 1- Support & 2- Wants his business on the back of the 50 spirit pack t's. 3- Puts the pressure on his other former teammates to do the same (as it's said, "Never stop competing" ?- well they'll still keep doing that)

3) Kickoff Banquet/Dinner/Auction (silent or live)

• Target Population? Local, but you'll get an auction item or two donated from somebody's Mother's Brother Sister Uncle

4) Donation program (tie into Lift-a-thon if beneficial)- be it online and/or hand written.

• I've never had an issue with "not getting something" in return. I'd rather donate and the kid/program get 100% of what I donated (or close, online platform takes a VERY VERY small %) than the cookie dough company get 40% of it, the player/program get 60% and me 100% get something I don't need in the first place. ?
• Target population? THIS one, to avoid "hitting up the same people" (never wanted to do), where you expand the horizon. Of course you're going to get the "closest" of family members and friends, both in distance and relationship with them, but EXPAND THIS ONE.
• Best part about the "online" platform? You can reach the masses more b/c you can add those closest to you as "helpers"

Last thing, but these four are even better doing them in a SINGLE WEEKEND ?(I can't claim that idea, got it from a current coach I still look up to and can call anytime, with anything).

"I love fundraising. Asking for money. Doing one seemingly every time I turn around. Nickel and diming. Taking up a few weekends throughout the year (ie: Car Wash this Saturday, Card Blitz that Saturday, Lift-A-Thon on another Friday evening, Kickoff Banquet on another Sunday"- Said nobody ever.

Ok, cool. Neither do I- on either, especially anything on the weekends when it's nice out. 

So....one weekend, all hands on deck, scheduled the same time/weekend every year.

11 minutes ago, Calico Jack said:

From my experience, that's usually been the complaint with these- be it the handheld ones or digital cards.

Next on the digital card list is the "get off my lawn" type crowd, to which I always responded with, "Have your debit/credit card(s) on your phone?"  Often times that answer was a "Yes". Ended that contradictory conversation real quick.

We always had success with the cards, though, either old school or new school. Specifically, Jeff Durham, who is from Southern Indiana and has been a long time assistant football coach himself. Even though he's from Southern IN? He's done business and still does it with many programs across Kentucky (not just along the Southwest Kentuckiana region).

Now, as far as those who didn't use Apple Pay/Wallet already? Ok, fair enough.

IMVO opinion? You only need four a year & ranking them I think depends on your community/school:

1) Card Sales & if your local laws permit doing a "blitz" where the kids get to go door to door (obviously with coach/parent supervision).

• Target population? Local.

2) Advertising Signs (and, in some cases, they'd rather do an order or T-shirts with their logo/information on the back. That worked out even better, for them and us ?. Scattered, walking advertisement for them & swag for the boys).  To make advertising signs even better with less hassle? Find a parent(s) that not only wants to do it while their son(s) are coming up and going through, but if you're lucky enough? They'll handle it after theirs is done playing as well.

• Target population? Local & Coast to Coast (ex: Uncle Bubba, who lives and has a thriving business in North Carolina, but WORE the uniform back in the day? Yeah, he wants to 1- Support & 2- Wants his business on the back of the 50 spirit pack t's. 3- Puts the pressure on his other former teammates to do the same (as it's said, "Never stop competing" ?- well they'll still keep doing that)

3) Kickoff Banquet/Dinner/Auction (silent or live)

• Target Population? Local, but you'll get an auction item or two donated from somebody's Mother's Brother Sister Uncle

4) Donation program (tie into Lift-a-thon if beneficial)- be it online and/or hand written.

• I've never had an issue with "not getting something" in return. I'd rather donate and the kid/program get 100% of what I donated (or close, online platform takes a VERY VERY small %) than the cookie dough company get 40% of it, the player/program get 60% and me 100% get something I don't need in the first place. ?
• Target population? THIS one, to avoid "hitting up the same people" (never wanted to do), where you expand the horizon. Of course you're going to get the "closest" of family members and friends, both in distance and relationship with them, but EXPAND THIS ONE.
• Best part about the "online" platform? You can reach the masses more b/c you can add those closest to you as "helpers"

Last thing, but these four are even better doing them in a SINGLE WEEKEND ?(I can't claim that idea, got it from a current coach I still look up to and can call anytime, with anything).

"I love fundraising. Asking for money. Doing one seemingly every time I turn around. Nickel and diming. Taking up a few weekends throughout the year (ie: Car Wash this Saturday, Card Blitz that Saturday, Lift-A-Thon on another Friday evening, Kickoff Banquet on another Sunday"- Said nobody ever.

Ok, cool. Neither do I- on either, especially anything on the weekends when it's nice out. 

So....one weekend, all hands on deck, scheduled the same time/weekend every year.

I 100% agree with all of this.

Awesome topic.  Bourbon raffles can be great, however, some school districts have rules where you can't do that, even if you are a booster group that's separate from the school.

 

And I hear the multipurpose athletes.  I have 3 kids, all multisport, 1 in elementary, 1 in middle, and 1 in high school.  I feel awful every time a new fundraiser comes about, it's sports, it's PTO, it's the school's arts programs, etc. Then there's participation fees for these activities, and then charged admission to the games.  It is completely overwhelming.   But I do it all because I do understand the need.  

This is great feedback. Thank you all!

I'm a little old school and feel that the physical discount cards are the best.  As was stated earlier, people feel like they're getting extra value rather than just donating to the cause.  It also gets the players out into and involved with the community.  That additional face time goes a long way to bringing people into stadium on Friday nights as well.

17 hours ago, DTRaider said:

I'm a little old school and feel that the physical discount cards are the best.  As was stated earlier, people feel like they're getting extra value rather than just donating to the cause.  It also gets the players out into and involved with the community.  That additional face time goes a long way to bringing people into stadium on Friday nights as well.

No doubt on all. Agreed.

These were my concerns before giving the Digital/Online route a solid test run, but I just didn't know what I didn't know. Because you could still do the face to face (if allowed in your local community) and even added bonus? The boys got to show those who struggle with technology how to use them.

Funny story....actually, there are a few of them. But one in particular was a player had knocked on an elderly woman's house (great grandmother I believe) and not only did they show them how to do the cards, but he showed her how to set up an Instagram account.

Conversation went something like "My granddaughter doesn't use facebook much anymore, but she uses Insta (something) for pictures of my great grands and I don't know how to set it up."

- Partner with local restaurants and hold a bearcat football night. 

- Working the Derby, and security for many large events yields a high reward but takes some tough adults. (Must have connection) 

- Mulch

- Sell Yard Signs and Door Hangers for everyone in your program (Youth League-HS) with their favorite athlete on it. 

- Text App Fundraisers (Have to keep up with the digital age)

- Laundry Detergent

- Corporate sponsors and signage (Will yield a ton if you go out face to face an do a partnership)

- Youth Camp