Does your group need to raise funds?
Trying to decide if your group needs to start a fundraising campaign involves more than just the question of “Do we need money?”. Fundraising can be a daunting task and have legal liabilities too. Read on to see if you can check off the boxes to start a fundraiser for your group.
✅ You Likely Need Fundraising If…
1. You Have a Clear Mission But Lack Funds
- You know what you want to do (e.g., host events, buy equipment, support a cause), but you don’t have the money to do it.
2. There’s a Gap Between Your Vision and Your Budget
- Your current resources aren’t enough to reach your goals, whether that’s expanding services, traveling for competitions, or improving facilities.
3. You Have Active Members and Supporters
- A group of engaged people (members, families, alumni, local community) who are willing to promote, sell, or support fundraising efforts.
4. You Have Specific, Measurable Needs
- Fundraising works best when you can say:
“We need $2,000 for new uniforms,” rather than “We could always use more money.”
5. You’ve Already Done Some Cost Cutting or Budgeting
- If you’ve already been smart with spending but still fall short, fundraising can help close the gap.
🚫 You May Not Need Fundraising If…
1. You Have Adequate Funds Already
- If your group consistently meets its goals with current funding, more money might not be a priority right now.
2. You Don’t Have a Clear Purpose for the Funds
- “Just in case” fundraising can confuse donors and burn out your team. People give more when they know exactly what their money is going toward.
3. You Don’t Have the Time or People to Execute It
- Fundraising takes planning, promotion, and follow-through. If your group is already stretched thin, it might not be the best use of your time—yet.
👀 Questions to Ask Your Group
- What are our goals for the next 6–12 months?
- What’s holding us back from reaching those goals?
- Do we have the support network and time to fundraise?
- How much would we need, and how would we use it?
🧠 Tip: If You’re Still Not Sure…
Try a pilot fundraiser — something small-scale and low-risk, like a social media campaign or community raffle. If it succeeds and people are excited to support you, you’ve got your answer.