Year-Long Fundraiser Proposal: Online Order System for School Parents/Guardians

[KimoMakano]

Okay, how about this?
I have been working with a friend on putting together a online fundraiser for her sons' school. She just sent me an email with her "wish list" of what she would like to propose. I am pretty sure it can be done but wanted to bounce it by you guys (cause you are all so helpful).

I would like to present this fundraiser to our schools Development Division. What I am thinking is setting up an online fundraiser for our school’s parents/guardians. They can order from your catalog throughout the year, but having a monthly deadline date.

We can set up a direct link from our site to your site, and possibly a code they will need to use to show their connection when ordering.

Can this be accomplished?
What do you guiys think?

 

[thecougchef]

i have 2 different thoughts:
1. it seems like people might be into it at first but after the first month or so, sales would die down alot.
2. it could be GREAT for people who cant afford something right now but are glad they can still help out the school next month, or after christmas, or whatever. it could also be nice for people as far as gift shopping. they could purchase a birthday gift in april and a portion of proceeds would go to a good cause.

i think if you do do it, dont get discouraged by low sales months. because its bound to happen.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

On the direct link thing - you need to check with HO on that - they have to approve any direct links for fundraisers.

 

[pamperedlinda]

I think you would do better with a set time-frame. If people know it's always available they will always procrastinate and put it off. Also, what if you don't get enough orders in one month to count as a show?

 

[thecougchef]

I think you would do better with a set time-frame. If people know it's always available they will always procrastinate and put it off. Also, what if you don't get enough orders in one month to count as a show?

i thought about that too....

 

[pamperedharriet]

I think if you do this fundraiser you should only keep it open for 1 month at max. People tend to procrastinate and for those who order they have to wait too long to get their products. I don't think that sales will continue to be as good as the first month. Promote holiday shopping for themselves (preparation) and for gift giving.

 

[DebbieJ]

You have to have a set deadline because the benefits go up as the totals do. I don't see how a year round fundraiser would work.

 

[pamperedharriet]

The other thing too is that HO does not let you link without permission and they only give you X number of days for that. You can speak to Career Solutions at HO for more on this.

The more I think about this I don't think it will work and you may not get enough orders each time to make it worthwhile.

Just as a reminder to you:

sales (before tax & shipping) under $600 fundraiser receives 10% of sales
sales (before tax & shipping) over $600 fundraiser receives 15% of sales

Also our guest specials change every month.

Will this be worth it to do it every month? I don't think so.

I just want you to see the whole picture and I am sure everyone else here does too. If you could get decent sales every month guaranteed it may be worth looking into but I just don't see it happening that you could get sales every month to make it worthwhile from the school. The goal is to get as much as possible and the more the sales are each time the bigger that rewards. HO will not accumulate each month and then present the check. It will be month to month.