Fundraisers only work if everyone is involved. Today, many favor reaching in their pocket rather than participating. They don't want to be troubled with it or feel their time is more valuable than to volunteer.
I have not seen it all but have a lot of experience in fundraising. Certain things come to mind you should think about. Kids don't have money. Adults have money. Your fundraising gimmick needs to target the money. Many fundraising gimmicks are not suitable for children to help out meaning; Monte Carlo events that have gambling and alcohol. What may be considered acceptable for your family may not be acceptable to others. I have dealt with parents that refused to allow their kids to help at a Bingo Night with no alcohol.
Many fundraising gimmicks will require the parents to be "All In" to function. If you don't have their complete commitment, you will be doing it all yourself. Parents that slide thru normally upset those that will help and before the season ever starts there is dissension.
If you're only looking for a minimum amount of money to offset some expenses, candy sales with a stipulation of no returns can help. Every girl would be required to sell a box of candy, popcorn, or some other fundraising item and each girl must sell or buy it. No returns. At least the families feel like they get something for their money even if it is a high priced candy bar or can of popcorn. lol.
In the past, we have been fortunate enough to work with local pizza places where they donate X amount of money for the team and/or families to take orders and bus tables for an evening. Again, it takes everyone to make this work.
I'm not a big fan of magazine sales. Too many organizations do this and the money return really isn't worth the effort. A person only wants so many mags to read.
If sales are your gimmick, provide a product that gives you ample return and people desire the product because they can get some use of it. Try fruit sales, sandwich sales, pies, cakes, or candy which can be homemade. Products with a personal touch, especially if it has a greater shelf life, are more desirable. Again, you need everyone to be involved equally.
Raffles can work but timing is everything. Lots of competition plus difficult to complete if the winning is not immediate. What I mean is; 50/50 drawings at an event that gives you a captive audience and the payoff is same day/night. Raffles for items or events that ticket sales go on forever are hard to complete due to the time and trying to contact the winners. Handling the money and collecting the money and unsold tickets can be dicey. My advice is don't do it.
You can get creative but keep in mind, in today's world it is hard to expect others will do the right thing and help. Volunteers are a thing of the past. I feel the best way to handle things is simply make people pay up front and be done with it. Much less stressful on the few that end up doing it all. Most of the time those few are already doing their part. The rest don't have time for it..............
