Contributed by the 2024-2025 Collegiate DECA Executive Officer Team.
If you've been involved with any organization, you know how challenging hosting a fundraiser can be. While raising funds for an event or cause can be difficult, there's always an opportunity to make it a success. Here are some tips on how to turn a small opportunity into a successful one:
Hook Your Audience
Attracting people to support your chapter is the first step in securing a sale. This is where researching your audience plays a huge role. Some methods for gathering data could include conducting surveys in your local area or observing upcoming trends. Ask yourself these questions:
- What does your target market enjoy the most?
- What events are they most excited about?
If you can hit the mark with this step, you're already on the right track.
Plan it Out
There’s no need to limit fundraising events to a single day. You can divide your fundraising campaign into multiple timeframes to maximize the support you receive.
For example, if you have a fundraiser scheduled with a fast-food location in a week, dedicate part of your campaign to spreading the word in your local community. Get creative by tabling on campus or networking at local events. Not only can you share information about your cause, but you can also highlight what makes Collegiate DECA important to you and your chapter.
Overall Success
While the primary goal might be to raise as much money as possible, that’s not the only marker of success. Whenever you’re actively fundraising, you should also look for recruitment opportunities. Especially if your audience includes college students, take the chance to talk about Collegiate DECA and invite people to become members. Don’t limit yourself to students—reach out to potential professional members and sponsors as well.
Whether it’s a new connection or a substantial amount of money raised for your chapter, having a well-thought-out plan is key to turning any fundraiser into a success. Use these tips alongside your existing methods to support your Collegiate DECA chapter.
