Chapter Fundraising Page Update Information
Chapters throughout TSA fundraise for a variety of reasons, whether it is to lower the price of conferences or participate in the National Service Project. However, there are chapters who want to start fundraising but do not know where to begin. This year, with help from the National Service Project Committee, the State Officers have created an in-depth guide on everything you need to know about fundraising. Keep reading to learn about key ideas of the fundraising process, tips and tricks, examples of fundraisers, and more! Additionally, we have provided a shareable toolkit that contains all the information plus premade fundraising materials as well. We hope you have a great time fundraising!
A pdf version of this guide is available here.
What should I fundraise for?
1. Conferences
Let's face it - conferences are expensive! If your chapter doesn't get
funding from the school for conferences, fundraisers can help to
decrease the cost of the state and national conferences significantly.
2. American Cancer Society
Every year, National TSA fundraises money for ACS. The American
Cancer Society uses the money people fundraise to research cures and
treatment for cancer.
Keep in mind that PA-TSA also offers reserved seating at general
sessions during the State Conference to chapters who have fundraised
for the ACS!
3. Specific Equipment
Some equipment like 3D printers and laser cutters can be really
expensive! Fundraising for equipment can be beneficial to your chapter
so you can improve your projects!
How much should I fundraise?
Setting a goal for your fundraiser can help you plan your fundraiser
accordingly. If you are looking to raise a lot of money, a bigger and more
complicated fundraiser may be more beneficial. If you are planning to
fundraise a smaller amount, a smaller, less involved fundraiser may be what you are looking for.
A Step by Step Guide
Step 1: Reflect
The most important and best way to build a successful fundraising program is to reflect on your past experiences and strive for improvement. Specifically:
Step 2: Brainstorm
Now move on to the next step: brainstorming new ideas. Brainstorming involves a combination of improving old ideas and thinking of entirely new ones. Here's how to get started:
Step 3: Communicate
Finally, communicate with others. It's integral for you to talk with other students, advisors, and administration to see what fundraiser would work best in your school or community.
Fundraising Examples
Out of Ideas?
It can be difficult to think of a great fundraiser that will resonate
with your community, but that's why we're here to help! The
following pages include example fundraiser ideas ranging in
difficulty to execute. See if anything catches your eye!
Easy:
Restaurant Fundraiser
If you are looking for a low-maintenance fundraiser, that will bring in some significant cash, this one's for you. First, you will need to contact a local restaurant or store in your area and figure out details such as the date and what percentage they will give your chapter. Once a date is decided, your chapter would need to publicize the event and patrons would simply need to say they are supporting your chapter when they arrive at the restaurant.
There are many restaurants that would love for your chapter to hold a fundraiser. National chains such as Panera (percentage depends on number of orders), Chipotle (50%), and Iron Hill Brewery (20%) are suitable options. Also try contacting restaurants that are unique to your area. Keep in mind several restaurants require advance notice for setting up these events and may need to schedule your date several weeks to months in advance.
Here are some other national chains that offer fundraisers: Applebee's, Boston Market, California Pizza Kitchen, Cheesecake Factory, Chili's, Chipotle, Friendly's, Iron Hill Brewery, Outback Steakhouse, Panera, Pizzeria Uno, Ponderosa, Red Robin, T.G.I.Friday's, Wendy's
Gertrude Hawk Chocolate
The Gertrude Hawk Chocolate Fundraiser is an extremely popular fundraiser for high school chapters. There are a multitude of chocolate flavors to choose from so there is something for everyone! This fundraiser is perfect for individual member fundraising for conference costs.
Clothing Drive
Holding a clothing drive to raise money for your chapter is quick and easy! Ask your members to bring in their old clothes and spread the word to their families and friends. Contact a local Goodwill to see if they would be interested in buying the old clothing.
Medium:
Bake Sales
Bake sales are a great way to involve your chapter members in fundraising. Make sure to tell your members when the sale will be, have them sign up for an item, and tell their friends about it! The best times to hold bake sales are during free periods in school, at lunch, or at a school event. You could also hold a bake sale during a community event or outside of a local store.
Gaming Tournament
Organize a time where members and community/school members can pay $5 - $15 to compete in a game like Super Smash Bros, Minecraft, or Mario Kart. You could make a bracket system and give the winner a gift card!
T-shirts
T-shirts help to engage your chapter while giving them something memorable to wear. If your school has a screen printing program, see if you could print your shirts with them. If your school doesn't have a screen printing program, try to find a local t-shirt printing company, or ask your athletic department which one they use.
Partner With Another Organization From Your School
Does your school hold a school fair, carnival, dance, club day, or other entertaining event? Try to simultaneously fundraise for your club and promote membership by getting involved! First, try contacting your Student Council or whoever runs your school's events. Then, make a plan to represent your club with a game at a carnival, booth at club day, food stand at a dance, or some kind of sale. Based on the resources available to your chapter, you might try to sell food, drinks, apparel, host a carnival game, or provide some other service. Representing your club to the school community turns heads and builds image, and if done successfully, can also be incredibly profitable to your chapter.
Hard:
Bingo Night
A bingo night is a fantastic way to make money for your chapter. Find a facility that would be willing to let your chapter hold your event, and decide what you will be giving away. Make sure you start selling tickets to the event at least a month before the event itself so members have plenty of time to get their tickets sold.
Spaghetti Dinner
A spaghetti dinner is perfect for all ages to attend! See if your school cafeteria would be willing to help host this event. Purchase a variety of noodles and sauce from a local grocery store and have members of your chapter help prepare the meal for the community. Have your members sell tickets, but give them at least a month in advance to make sure they have enough time to do so!
Raffle Event
- Raffle events are a great, effective way to raise money. You can get prizes like games, movies, baking supplies, and other unique themed baskets. Make sure to have your chapter members sell tickets for the event, but give them enough time to sell. At the event, your chapter members can help call, run, and organize the baskets.
Work with your district to hold a STEM Night
A STEM Night with elementary schoolers in your district is something that many school districts throughout the state employ. STEM Night was originally designed to give elementary schoolers increased exposure to STEM topics outside of the classroom. During STEM Night, students complete a series of problem solving challenges with help from parents and TSA members. Students from your TSA chapter help run the event, and as a way to benefit your own chapter you can hold a concession stand to help raise money for your chapter or for the American Cancer Society. Depending on the number of students you are planning to host, you might want to reach out to other clubs in your school to help with the event. Hosting a STEM Night will increase awareness of STEM in elementary schoolers and will be a great opportunity for members of your chapter to do community service as well as raise money for your chapter.
Tips and Tricks for Effective Fundraising
Now that you have some ideas for what fundraisers you can host, here's some tips and tricks to ensure that they are successful!
1. Marketing
Social Media
School Marketing
Local Stores
2. Organization
Virtual Folders/Files
Organized Records
Communication
3. Timelines
When to Fundraise
Create a Group Calendar
Keep Track of Deadlines
4. Outsourcing
It's Not Just the Officer Team - Involve Members!
5. Outreach
Work With Other Clubs or Community Organizations
Frequently Asked Questions
1. I don't think anyone will show up. How do I promote my fundraiser?
Make posters or flyers and hang them up in your school, local businesses, and hand them out to friends. If your school does announcements, ask for your fundraiser to be promoted during announcements. Other methods include social media, or even just word of mouth!
2. How do I know if people will like my fundraiser?
Ask yourself if you would participate if you saw this fundraiser. If the answer is no, then you might want to modify your plans. If you're still not sure, ask your friends and family members to see if they would be interested.
3. How do I recruit volunteers and chapter members to help?
When recruiting, make sure you know what to do and what you need assistance in. Be prepared to tell your chapter members what jobs are available, about how much time each job will require, and the specific duties the job entails.
Need Help Getting Started?
If you've read through this guide and are still a bit overwhelmed with the process: don't worry! The NSP committee has been hard at work this year preparing some pre-prepared promotional and fundraising materials to help you get started!
Promotional Templates:
The following links are to Canva templates that you can freely edit and modify with your fundraiser's specific information (dates, locations, etc).
Fundraising Materials:
The following link goes to a Google Drive folder containing ready-to-print CAD files that you can sell for profit! Please note that printing these files requires the use of a 3D printer.