Fundraising 101: How to Hold a Fundraiser
Fundraisers are a great way to help generate money for your organization and can take many different forms.
A well-planned fundraiser is a successful fundraiser. Take time to think through the key elements of your fundraiser:
- What are you raising money for? What is your goal?
- What are you selling? How much will it cost your organization to obtain your “product”? How can you price and package your “product” to be both appealing and profitable? Please see the Food at Events section of the Student Organization Handbook for policies regarding food fundraisers.
- Who is your target audience? Students? Staff/faculty? Parents? Alumni?
These key questions will help your team set yourselves up for success.
The OSA supports a number of different payment methods for fundraising. Payment collection options include:
- Ole Dollars
- PayPal
- Eventbrite
- Square
- In some specific instances such as Cub Store bagging or other off campus fundraisers, cash may be accepted. OSA approval needed to accept cash.
The OSA team can assist you in selecting the right payment collection method for your fundraiser. We’ll also help you set-up your payment portals should you choose a digital platform. Keep in mind, digital fundraising tools include transaction fees that are deducted from your overall payment.
***Student organizations cannot use Venmo, CashApp, or other similar apps for fundraisers.
Make your fundraiser official! Register your upcoming fundraiser by completing a Presence event registration form at least two weeks in advance. The form will ask you a number of questions addressing steps one and two so we are all on the same page.
Need a table in Crossroads, by the Cage, or on the Plaza? Reserve your space on 25Live. Cage tables can be found under the “Buntrock Spaces” link or by searching for “Table”. If you are hoping to collect money or donations at residence hall front desks, please complete a request form through Residence Life.
If you are using Square, we’ll provide you with the necessary technology. If you need a cashbox, you are able to check one out from the OSA.
You’ve held your fundraiser – awesome! Now what? Regardless of payment collection method, you will work with the OSA team to properly deposit your earnings into your organization’s account. If approved by the OSA to collect cash, you must bring it to the OSA to be deposited.