Marching Band Fundraising
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Planning a marching band fundraising event takes keen organizational and people skills. When high school or college bands need money for uniforms, travel expenses, or instruments, someone has to take charge. Motivating students to march to the tune of a salesperson's spiel, rather than the musician's drum might not be most people's cup of tea, but it is the only way that a fundraising project can succeed. In organizing a program, the first consideration is the amount of money the band needs to raise. Setting a realistic goal helps students stay on target and prevents them from getting overwhelmed. By dividing the amount of money needed by the number of participants, each student has an equal chance at doing their share in bringing in the cash. Marching band fundraising is sort of like running a marathon: some participants will be go-getters, while others may start slow and then burst towards the finish line in the end. A good fundraising manager will be able to spot those who need a boost or a pick-me-up along the way. Similarly, God knows the individual needs of each of His sheep. "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways" (Psalm 139:1-3).
There are so many products available for marching band fundraising that it will take a committee to decide which ones are most profitable. Directors can check with other schools to see what products have been the most successful in the past. Chocolate bars are an irresistible favorite, but tins of popcorn may come in at a close second. Everyone loves cookie dough, but products that build a team spirit may get snapped up by the local crowd, especially sports enthusiasts. One key to selecting a top-selling fundraiser is to choose a seasonal item, something that people will likely buy due to the time of year. In the fall, pompoms, Christmas ornaments, chocolates, and cookie dough may sell like hot cakes; while summertime may be the right time to hawk magazine subscriptions or sodas for those sweltering days. Kids can sell cases of sodas during softball games, swim meets, or other spectator sports. The best product is also the one that offers the greatest profit-making potential. Some companies give schools 50% of profits; but less than a third is questionable. Committees should be sure to read the fine print on contractual agreements with suppliers and be sure to get clarification in writing regarding the percentage of profits the band can expect to earn.
Marching band fundraising strategies also include getting pledges and sponsorships from local businesses, civic groups, and residents. Students not only learn good salesmanship by going door to door, but also get a opportunity to interest corporate and community leaders in local high school or college events. Marching band fundraising chairpersons may want to spend time coaching students on the finer points of direct selling to ensure that they approach potential buyers courteously and learn how to handle rejection with a smile. Business owners and residents will likely buy products and lend financial support to students who are upbeat, enthusiastic and polite. Leaders should also demonstrate how to take orders and use the kits that come with fundraising programs, so that everyone knows the rules of the game.
Once the committee has made a decision about the kind of marching band fundraising to undertake, the next item on the agenda is to set realistic deadlines. The first deadline is a scheduled date to bring in orders, the second deadline is collecting funds from buyers, and the third is the deadline to deliver products. Most programs should be scheduled six to eight weeks prior to a set goal. Vendors need lead time to fill orders, especially for products that have to be imprinted with a school logo. And buyers will expect to receive merchandise within two or three weeks after ordering. Seasonal items may need to be ordered months in advance due to increased demand. Committees or chairpersons should check with vendors to ensure timely delivery and ask about the availability of online orders. Some marching band fundraising programs enable anyone with Internet access to log onto a vendor's site and purchase products with a major credit card, using the school's unique identification number. Funds are credited to the school, less the vendor's fees. Electronic fundraising may be an excellent option for groups with fewer than 10 or twelve participants.
The greatest hurdle in marching band fundraising is keeping team members motivated. Holding team meetings and maintaining contact with participants is vital to the success of the program. Hosting pep rallies, training sessions, and sharing success stories helps keep participants interested in meeting goals. Using graphics which illustrate increasing sales also gives participants a visual picture of where they stand and how far they have to go in order to cross the finish line. While a little friendly competition is always a motivating factor, pairing go-getters with stragglers helps build team spirit. As students realize that raising funds for band uniforms, instruments, or competition fees is a team effort, a valuable lesson will be learned that will stand them in good stead as young adults. Before embarking on a program to raise money at any educational institution, committee members, directors, and band members must become fully committed to the cause and refuse to stop short of their goal. "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain" (I Corinthians 9:24). In the long run, persistence and perseverence will pay off.
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