FUND DECA
Planning a Fundraiser
Let's Make Some Money!
The guide below is here to help you and your chapter develop, plan, market and execute a fundraiser to raise money for your members! We are so glad to see you are here and using Fund DECA. Please let the State Officer Team know how successful your fundraiser was, and feel free to contact the Finance Team any time for any questions you might have.
Washington DECA Finance Team
Praveena Mahendran
Melinda Le
GETTING STARTED
Use the guide below as your checklist to ensure your fundraiser raises as much money as possible!
A full list of fundraiser ideas is also available.
In this checklist, we are using a classic bake sale as our fundraiser example.
Step 1 is already done!
The first step is to come here and check out all the fantastic resources and prepare to raise some money for your chapter!
Create a fundraising committee.
This can consist of your DECA chapter members, officers, and/or your advisor. Your advisor is essential as they should know what the committee is planning, every step of the way.
Bonus:
Partnering with clubs at your school is a great way to get more people involved and raise more money. Make sure other club members or officers are also on your committee to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Define Your Cause.
Clearly identify the purpose of your fundraiser. Decide what you are raising funds for and how the money will be used. Having a specific and compelling cause will make it easier to attract donors and participants.
Example:
Raise money to reduce our chapter expenses for SCDC.
Set Fundraising Goals.
Determine how much money you aim to raise. Your goals should be realistic and achievable. Break down the target into smaller milestones if needed, which can motivate your team and track progress. Talk with your advisor to ensure your goal is feasible!
Example:
We want to raise $300.
Decide On What You Will Sell.
Once your committee is made and these goals are set, decide on what you will sell. We have an entire document of ideas here. Choose one, or a combination of ideas that best align with your cause, audience, and available resources.
Example:
Bake Sale!
Although optional, it’s highly recommended. Theme your fundraiser!
This will make the whole project more exciting and give your committee something to work around. You can cater what you sell to your theme if you’d like. Making decorations for your fundraiser (if the fundraiser is an event), can draw more excitement, enticing people to stop by your fundraiser.
Example:
Summer at the Beach. This is a summertime theme, and the decorations could include beach decor, tropical shirts, etc.
Develop a Fundraising Plan.
Create a detailed plan that includes the event date(s), venue (if applicable), target audience, marketing and promotional strategies, volunteer responsibilities, cash flow systems, and fundraising activities. This plan will act as your roadmap throughout the process.
Note: Not all components listed above may be applicable to your fundraiser!
Example:
Event will take place on August 25th from 10 am - 2 pm. We will sell in our school cafeteria, hope to attract students, families, teachers, and maybe community members who live in the area
Create a Budget.
Estimate the expenses required for your fundraiser, such as venue rental, materials, permits, and promotional materials. Be mindful to keep costs low to maximize the funds raised.
Example:
Spend no more than $50, raise $300.
Obtain Necessary Permissions.
Depending on your chosen fundraiser, you might need permission from school authorities, local government, or property owners. Ensure you have all the required permits and approvals.
Example:
Ask school ASB/ office/ principal for permission to use the school cafeteria for the bake sale at the specified time and maybe a day before for set up.
Promote Your Fundraiser.
Use various communication channels to spread the word about your fundraiser. Utilize social media, posters, flyers, email lists, and word of mouth to reach a wider audience
Example:
Posting flyers advertising the bake sale all over the school, creating Instagram posts and spreading them making sure to get people to repost etc.
Set Up A Payment System.
This might be through your school's bookkeeping or office, and your committee might need to get in touch with them. You might need to get a money box, and all of that should be done or planned beforehand. Talk with your advisor to ensure you can accept payment!
Note: Keep track of all the money carefully and count often to make sure nothing is lost. Try to keep track of all purchases as well for personal/ chapter use and bookkeeping might request it.
Example:
Asking bookkeeping for a money box with some cash for change and a place to put all collected money.
Recruit Volunteers.
If you need help from DECA members to execute the fundraiser, this is the time to reach out and ask. Reaching out to service-oriented clubs in your school is also a great idea, as they are always looking for opportunities to get service hours. Special training might also need to be done with the volunteers depending on the fundraiser.
Note: Keep track of all the money carefully and count often to make sure nothing is lost. Try to keep track of all purchases as well for personal/ chapter use and bookkeeping might request it.
Example:
Asking members of my DECA chapter to come and help out at our bake sale and sell things.
Recap.
Meet with your fundraising committee and recap all the details of the event before execution so everyone is on the same page and the event can run smoothly.
Execute the Fundraiser.
On the day of the event, ensure everything is set up as planned. Maintain a positive and enthusiastic atmosphere to engage participants.
Example:
Go to the cafeteria, set up the tables and products, have the cash box ready and set up decorations. People start arriving and the fundraiser starts!
Show Gratitude!
Thank everyone that helped with the fundraiser and with clean up of the site.
Count The Money, Celebrate The Successes, and Relax!
It is also highly recommended to meet with the committee and have a debrief and discuss everything that occurred at the fundraising, execution, planning, and all the details. This will allow planning for next time and improvements that can be made, it’s also an opportunity to set new goals for next time.
Example:
We raised $450 so fantastic, but we had a lot of leftover goods. Next time maybe have a large discount in the last 30 minutes so more stuff is sold if a large quantity is left over. We also want to try to have the event more organized as it was a little messy. Overall, a lot of people came and it was great!
FUNDRAISER IDEAS
1. Bake Sale:
Host a bake sale in the school cafeteria, during sports events, or on weekends in a public space. Encourage club members to bake and sell various treats like cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and more. Ensure all necessary permissions are obtained.
2. Car Wash:
Organize a car wash day in the school parking lot or another safe location. Advertise the event through flyers, social media, and word of mouth. Charge a reasonable fee for washing each car.
3. Movie Night:
Host a movie night at your school or a local community center. Choose a popular film, and charge admission for entry. You can also sell popcorn, snacks, and drinks to raise additional funds.
4. Talent Show:
Organize a talent show that showcases the skills and talents of students in your school. Charge an entry fee for performers and ticket fees for the audience.
5. Yard Sale:
Ask club members and their families to donate gently used items they no longer need. Organize a yard sale at the school or another suitable location and sell the items at reasonable prices.
6. Sports Tournament:
Arrange a sports tournament like basketball, soccer, or volleyball. Encourage participants to form teams and pay an entry fee. You can also sell concessions during the event.
7. Auction Fundraiser:
Collect donated items, services, or experiences from local businesses or individuals. Host an auction event with an entertaining auctioneer to sell the items to the highest bidders.
8. Fundraising Dinner:
Organize a themed dinner event with tickets sold in advance. Offer entertainment, raffles, and games during the dinner to keep attendees engaged and entertained.
9. 50/50 Raffle:
Sell raffle tickets to students, teachers, and parents for a 50/50 raffle. Half of the proceeds go to the winner, and the other half to the club’s fundraising efforts.
10. Art Show:
Showcase the artistic talents of students in your school by organizing an art show. Charge an entry fee for artists and admission for visitors.
11. Fundraising Concert:
Host a live music or talent showcase featuring local bands, singers, or performers. Charge an admission fee for entry.
12. Charity Walk/Run:
Organize a charity walk or run event in your school or a local park. Encourage participants to seek sponsorships from friends and family for each kilometer or mile completed.
13. Discount Cards:
Create discount cards in partnership with local businesses. Sell these cards to students and community members, offering exclusive discounts at various establishments.
14. Gift Wrapping Service:
Set up a gift wrapping station during the holiday season. Offer to wrap gifts for a fee at local malls, stores, or community events.
15. Online Crowdfunding:
Start an online crowdfunding campaign using platforms like GoFundMe or Kickstarter. Share the campaign link through social media and emails to reach a broader audience.
16. West Valley High School – Father Daughter Dance
Every year West Valley High School puts on a Father Daughter Dance. They have games, face painting, photo booths, laser tag, decorations, food, dancing, music, etc. By this point, it’s pretty much a ritual. Every little girl in the district knows about it; with many current DECA members at the school having gone when they were young too. To advertise the event, they send out flyers and posters to every elementary school in the district. People come on their own because the event is so well established. When the event was starting, West Valley High School used a variety of promotional methods, like social media, flyers, and in-person marketing to the local elementary schools. Today, they have a few hundred girls show up every year and make $8,000. Last year, they did “Journey Around the World” and this year was “Beauty and the Geek”. They start planning at the very beginning of the year with a committee of chapter members and leaders, making decorations like giant paper castles, thrones, etc. Every chapter member is required to make a decoration and work at the dance.
This is an example of why starting fundraisers now is so important. West Valley High School’s father Daughter Dance took some time to become the fundraiser it is today.
17. Hanford High School – Holiday Bazaar
The holiday bazaar at Hanford High School is a huge event that attracts a lot of people. Though it takes a LOT of planning and organizing, it is definitely worth the effort and generally there is a huge turn out.
The holiday bazaar works by working with a lot of local vendors and choosing a large venue, the goal is to set up something like a farmers market in your school or venue. Student leaders set up in the commons area creating tables or “booths” for each vendor. They make a path for walking that generally spans though a couple of hallways and to other parts of the school as well. Vendors are generally separated depending on the category of their goods. Holiday Bazaar vendors have a variety of products including, soap and candy, all the way to kittens and face paint.
To get these vendors, Hanford students reach out to vendors well ahead of time, sometimes visiting other holiday bazaars that are nearby. The Bazaar charges vendors for setting up a booth where they can sell as much as they want. The Bazaar generally lasts for a full day and sometimes two days if lots of vendors are very popular and many people come.
Many Schools have clubs that put together holiday bazaars – and you can be one of them! With proper marketing within your school’s local area and good recruitment of buyers, a Holiday Bazaar is a great way to raise money for your chapter and give everyone a good time!