July 25, 2024

You might still be blistering in the July heat, but Fall and Christmas are fast approaching and it is time to register your Canadian school or group for a holiday fundraising program. The holiday season is the best time of the year to bring your community together and raise funds for your school or group, so your team needs to take advantage of this opportunity. Our Joy and Noel fundraising programs offer a variety of popular and festive items that are sure to attract enthusiastic support. Here’s a guide to help you plan a successful Christmas fundraiser using these comprehensive catalogues.

Overview of Joy and Noel Fundraising Programs

JOY: A 40-page super shopper catalogue featuring popular items such as gift wraps, accessories, greeting cards, kitchen gadgets, holiday decor, and various gift items.

NOEL: A 48-page super shopper catalogue including everything in the Joy catalogue plus additional treats like chocolates, gourmet food mixes, popcorn, soup mixes, beef jerky, and more.

Note: Organizations must choose either Joy or Noel, as both cannot be facilitated simultaneously. Additionally, hundreds of extra items are available online, including chocolates, soups, gourmet food mixes, totes and bags, McSweeney’s Jerky, and Poppin Popcorn. Items can be customized online by removing specific categories upon request.

Steps to Plan Your Christmas Fundraiser

1. Choose Your Program

Decide whether Joy or Noel best suits your organization’s needs and goals. Consider your community’s preferences:

• Joy is ideal if you want a broad range of holiday items without food products. This catalog includes popular holiday essentials like gift wrap, accessories, greeting cards, and kitchen gadgets. If your community prefers non-food items or has dietary restrictions, Joy is the perfect choice.
• Noel includes all Joy items plus a selection of gourmet treats and food items, which might attract more buyers. This catalog offers a wider variety of products, including chocolates, gourmet food mixes, popcorn, and soup mixes. If your community enjoys festive treats and gourmet foods, Noel will likely boost your sales.

2. Set Clear Goals

Determine your fundraising target and outline how the funds will be used. Clear goals will motivate your team and help you communicate the fundraiser’s purpose to potential supporters.

• Establish a Fundraising Target: Decide on a realistic and achievable monetary goal. This should be based on the needs of your organization and the scope of the fundraiser. For example, if you need to raise $5,000 for new school equipment, set this as your target.
• Define the Purpose: Clearly articulate what the funds will be used for. Whether it’s new classroom supplies, sports equipment, or funding a school trip, knowing the purpose will inspire both your team and potential donors. Make sure to communicate this purpose in all your promotional materials. Your donors will feel more compelled to support your cause with a definitive target, especially if you provide updates as the fundraiser progresses.
• Break Down the Goal: Divide your overall target into smaller, manageable milestones. This will make the goal seem more attainable and allow you to celebrate progress along the way. For instance, if you aim to raise $5,000, you could set intermediate goals of $1,000, $2,500, and so on.

3. Promote Your Fundraiser

Effective promotion is key to a successful fundraiser. Use the following strategies to spread the word:

• Social Media: Create event pages and share regular updates on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Use eye-catching graphics and festive hashtags to attract attention. Dieleman Fundraising Program provides high-quality, eye-catching graphics for your group to post on your social media accounts. Engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages, and consider using paid advertising to reach a broader audience.
• Email Campaigns: Send out newsletters to parents, alumni, and community members detailing the fundraiser and how they can participate. Highlight the benefits of the Joy and Noel programs and including the links provided by Dieleman Fundraising Sales to your online store and the online flipbook for your program. Use compelling subject lines and personalized messages to increase open rates and engagement.
• Flyers and Posters: Distribute flyers and put up posters in high-traffic areas like schools, community centres, and local businesses. Use bright, festive colours and clear, concise information to catch people’s attention. Make sure to include the date and location of the fundraiser, as well as contact information for further inquiries. The promotional materials provided by Dieleman Fundraising Sales make excellent flyers as well.
• Word of Mouth: Encourage students, parents, and staff to talk about the fundraiser within their networks. Word of mouth is an excellent way to drive sales from locals who want to support causes within their community.

4. Distribute Catalogues and Order Forms

Ensure that every participant has access to the Joy or Noel catalogues and order forms by providing links to the online catalogs. Make it easy for supporters to browse and place their orders.

Hand out catalogs and order forms during school events, meetings, or community gatherings. Ensure each student and staff member has multiple copies to share with family and friends. If you need extra copies, our order forms are available for printing from our Coordinator’s Corner.

5. Track Progress and Communicate

Keeping track of your fundraiser’s progress is essential for maintaining momentum and ensuring success. Regularly update your team and supporters on the progress to keep everyone engaged and motivated.

• Sales Tracking: Dieleman Fundraising Sales offers a dashboard with real-time reporting on your fundraiser. We offer many report types to ensure you have a full picture of your progress. Record daily or weekly totals, and compare them against your goals to gauge performance. Track individual and team contributions to recognize top performers and encourage friendly competition.
• Regular Updates: Share progress updates through emails, social media, and meetings. Celebrate milestones like reaching 25%, 50%, and 75% of your goal. Use visuals like charts and graphs to illustrate progress, making it easy for everyone to understand how close you are to achieving your target.
• Celebrate Milestones: Recognize and celebrate key milestones to keep spirits high. This could include small rewards for top sellers, shout-outs on social media, or brief celebrations during meetings. Celebrating achievements keeps everyone motivated and focused on the ultimate goal and gives you an extra way to promote your fundraiser.

6. Thank Your Supporters

Expressing gratitude to everyone involved in your fundraiser is essential for fostering a positive community spirit and encouraging future participation. Acknowledging the efforts and support of volunteers, donors, and participants shows appreciation and builds lasting relationships.

• Thank-You Notes or Emails: Send personalized thank-you notes or emails to all participants, volunteers, and donors. Mention specific contributions and express sincere appreciation for their support. Personalized messages go a long way in making supporters feel valued.
• Appreciation Event: Consider hosting a small appreciation event to recognize the contributions of volunteers and donors. This could be a casual get-together with refreshments, a virtual thank-you party, or a formal awards ceremony. Publicly acknowledge and celebrate their efforts to make them feel special.
• Social Media Shout-Outs: Use your social media platforms to publicly thank supporters. Post photos and stories highlighting the fundraiser’s success and the people who made it possible. Tag individuals and organizations to increase visibility and show widespread appreciation.

Register for Your Fall Fundraiser Today

Dieleman Fundraising Sales handles order entering, packing, sorting, and labelling, making your Fall fundraiser as easy and hassle-free as possible! Plus, with no startup costs, your fundraising program is risk-free and hassle-free.

Planning a successful Christmas fundraiser with the Joy or Noel programs is a wonderful way to bring festive cheer to your community while raising essential funds for your school or group. By choosing the right program, setting clear goals, and effectively promoting your fundraiser, you can create a memorable and profitable event. Book your fundraiser today and meet your fundraising goals.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 25th, 2024 at 3:10 pm.