TOYS & EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS 2013
A how-to guide for Australian fundraising volunteers
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FUNDRAISING WITH
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One of the biggest decisions a committee has to make is what to do to raise those much needed extra funds for a group project. From my experience, product drives make fundraising easy. But there are so many different products to choose from! The Fundraising Directory presents you with an A to Z guide of reliable and proven fundraising products and services in Australia. In this ebook, a companion to my 22 lessons for A+ fundraising, let’s look at the possibilities that come from just one category – toys and educational fun.
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What’s on offer
Your target audience will go beyond the parents: you want them to pass The Fundraising Directory puts you on catalogues to extended family, in touch with quality suppliers of grandparents, neighbours; anyone educational and play toys including: with children! • art and craft •
puzzles
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outdoor play equipment
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reward charts
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educational magnets
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wall stickers
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wooden toys
Money’s tight. Focus your fundraising on products that your supporters will need to buy anyway, like books, toys, sunscreen, batteries – and make sure that what is offered is quality.
Who would this suit? This is an obvious choice of fundraiser for early childhood centre, pre-schools and kindergartens as well as toy libraries and children’s charities.
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Fundraising with TOYS & EDUCATIONAL
When to run your fundraiser?
If you’ve read 22 lessons for A+ fundraising, you will have in place:
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a SMART goal – a real target and purpose for fundraising
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a fundraising calendar with a mix of opportunities throughout the year – without being too enthusiastic or greedy.
As parents, we buy educational learning products and toys to some extent throughout the year. But the ideal time for this is in the lead-up to Christmas.
Choosing the supplier who’s right for you The Fundraising Directory takes the legwork out of finding suitable suppliers. You can send online queries to suppliers seeking more information and then decide who best meets your needs.
Here are the absolute essential questions to ask: 1. How long has the company been in business? 2. How many years of experience does the company representative have in fundraising? 3. What is the percentage profit of sales? 4. How much can I expect to make? 5. Is the product high-quality? Quality products equal quality revenue returns. 6. Is the drive based on orders or pre-purchase?
7. Does the supplier provide services that will help save volunteers’ time such as checklists, promotional posters, tally sheets, collection envelopes, pre-sorting?
8. Is there a prize incentive program? If so, who pays for it? 9. Are products paid for in advance or upon delivery? Will they work with you on a fair payment option?
10. What is the returns policy if you’re dissatisfied? When talking to the company rep, consider her communication style. You want to work with someone who listens to your needs. The company rep should also ask you questions about:
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your group’s financial goal
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your fundraising timeline
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the number of potential participants and their ages
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any historical information 2. Distribute catalogues or (e.g. past fundraisers, flyers far and wide – use your participation levels, successes email contacts. and failures). 3. Stress the advantages of shopping for Christmas this If he doesn’t, he’s not really way: interested in you: and you shouldn’t a. No queues be interested in him either! b. No sore feet – you can Fundraising tips shop with your feet up! c. No childcare required Product drives work best when d. You benefit from the they’re short and sharp: three weeks convenience and your is ideal. group benefits from the • You’ll need to promote ahead profits. of the fundraiser. 4. If orders are online make • You’ll need to launch the sure everyone knows how fundraiser. to order for your group’s • You’ll need to round up the benefit. Your group orders. deserves every single cent of commission. Don’t lose it Hints on all this – and more – because supporters were are detailed in 22 lessons for A+ unaware they needed to fundraising. enter ‘XYZ Learning’ in the But here are some specific necessary field. marketing tips for selling toys and educational learning products. When the •
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1. Communicate your fundraising goal loud and clear: We want to raise $5000 by 1 December to install shade sails in the playground. Fundraising with TOYS & EDUCATIONAL
fundraising’s over
Orders have been dispatched, the money’s banked, and it’s all over, right? Not quite. But then, you know that: you’ve read 22 lessons for A+ fundraising!
Here are some of the jobs that the 2. fundraising committee still needs to do: 1. Share the outcome with your community. Too often, a fundraiser just fades away. People want to know what happened! Communicate the result with 3. all who took part – committee members, volunteers, and supporters – using your newsletter and/or website.
Provide your fundraising supplier with feedback. Then head to the supplier’s listing on the Fundraising Directory website to leave a review of this supplier to share with other fundraising volunteers.
Congratulate your volunteers on a job well done. They’ll be more receptive to helping again.
Become a fan of the fundraising directory on facebook and win! facebook.com/fundraisingdirectory
Monthly Prize Draw:
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4.
Complete the Report Card in your Fundraiser’s Handover Manual. Immediately after the fundraiser, complete a Fundraising Report Card in order to assess the event. The Fundraising Report Card can be downloaded from fundraisingdirectory.com.au and can easily be passed on to the next organiser for future events. The templates are simple to use and to fill out so that you can continuously improve your fundraisers every year.
Subscribe to our FREE monthly Fundraising eNewsletter to receive a bonus Fundraising Report Card Template. Click here to subscribe.
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Index to Fundraising eBooks FREE eBooks available from fundraisingideas.com.au fu n d ra is in
1. The Essentials of Fundraising - 22 Lessons for A+ Fundraising 2. Fundraising with ARTWORK, STATIONERY & LABELS 4. Fundraising with Books 5. Fundraising with Bulbs, Herbs & seeds
g id e a s.c o
The Essenti als of Fundrais ing 2013
3. Fundraising with Athons & Raffles
RAISING
22 LESSONS FOR A+ FUND
m .a u
6. Fundraising with Chocolates & Lollies 7. Fundraising with Clothing & Jewellery 8. Fundraising with Custom Labelled Beverages 9. Fundraising with ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS 10. Fundraising with Entertainment 12. Fundraising with Glowsticks & Flashing Novelties 13. Fundraising with Homewares
NG
gideas.com
14. Fundraising with Miscellaneous Ideas
FUNDRAISI
ARTWO WITH STATIONERK, R & LABELSY 2013
15. Fundraising with MOTHERS & FATHERS DAY STALLS
.au
A how-to gu Australian ide for fundraising voluntee
16. Fundraising with Novelties & Showbags
fundraisin
11. Fundraising with Food & Fruit
rs
17. Fundraising with Personal Care Products 18. Fundraising with Photography 19. Fundraising with Promo Products/Wristbands/Badges 20. Fundraising with Shopping Tours 22. Fundraising for High Schools
Fundraising
for
Individuals 2013
23. Fundraising for Primary Schools 24. Fundraising for Childcare & Kindergartens
fundraisin gideas.com
21. Fundraising with Toys & Educational
25. Fundraising for Sporting Clubs & community groups
.au
26. Fundraising for Individuals
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