Re: [Philmont]: fund raising

grimard@comcast.net wrote:
> Our boys had an excellent time on trek #28 this summer. Next year we
> plan on heading to Sea Base. We sure could use some hints on fund-raising.
> Thanks

Coincidentally this was the topic of my District Roundtable last week
(Boy Scout/Venturing side). The following is a generalized treatise I
wrote up that summarizes the comments made at the RT. You may find it
useful, albeit rather thin on specific suggestions. No Charge.

- Dr. Bob

This month's TableTopic was "Funding the Unit, and Beyond". We divided
the discussion into four basic areas - the value of fundraising to the
Scout, some standard examples of Unit fundraising, some unusual methods
for Unit fundraising, and Corporate sponsorship. (The areas did tend to
merge during the discussions.)

Value to the Scout - Able to gain funds to attend events, and/or buy
equipment. Encourages increased participation in events! Learn
salesmanship skills. Interact with Unit adults involved in fundraising
(said adults are often rarely encountered in "normal" Scout settings).
Mentorship of younger Scouts by older Scouts. Develop a sense of
responsibility to the Unit.

In a related benefit, public fundraisers can assist in recruiting new
Scouts and (especially) new Adult leaders.

A few examples of standard types of Unit Fundraising - Popcorn, mulch (a
big one!), Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths, Poinsettias and similar
type "Holiday" plants, leaf-raking, snow-shovelling, etc. There are
dozens of such type fundraisers.

Some unusual Fundraising efforts - Have a Troopwide account with REI (so
the 10% rebate on all purchases goes to the Troop). Use a Troop credit
card for all events, using one of the cards that has a rebate program
(3% is a typical value, but a few cards rebate up to 5%); note the
account has to be paid off immediately in full for this to work - if
you're paying interest on outstanding balances, you're probably going to
end up in the red. An excellent idea is to "pre-pay" the account before
each purchase - that way, you will never pay interest, and you'll get
the full benefit of the rebates. One Unit has a deal with Ledo Pizza
that refunds 20% (to the Troop) of all purchases made by Troop families
at Ledos, both eat-in or take-out. Yard sales run by Troops - Unit gets
50% of the proceeds in exchange for setup and running, and post-sale
removal and cleanup.

"No Product" Fundraisers - Sponsorships for events, e.g., Alonzo Stagg
Mileage Sponsorships raised over $5,000 one year, and over $10,000 in
three years (note only adults were allowed to walk for sponsorships, per
Troop 111 edict). Troop Christmas Wish Lists - Provide to the parents,
or to Troop alumni, a List of items needed by the Unit, with estimated
prices or a place to buy the item (e.g., Casual Adventure, REI, Sports
Authority, etc.) - some folks much prefer to purchase a tangible item
rather than provide a check. Outright request for support ("Would you
please support Troop XXX"), to parents, alumni, Charitable organizations
(e.g., Kiwanis, Church Men's Group, etc.)

Corporate Sponsorships - Many hardware and other chains will reduce
prices for Eagle projects or Troop building projects. In some cases,
this includes outright donations, especially if used/returned or
closeout items are requested. Many businesses will match donations made
by employees - so if a parent, alumni, or anyone else writes a check to
a Unit as a flat out donation, you should ask if their business matches
charitable donations - an easy way to double a donation. Other
businesses will make outright donations to Units as a matter of
corporate policy (for example, Fannie Mae and Conoco both provided major
support to two local Units).

There was a brief discussion of non-permitted fundraisers. These
include things like raffles, Bingo or other forms of gambling (like a
"Casino Night"), or any activity that doesn't pass the "smell" test as a
Scout-sponsored activity (e.g., a wine-tasting party). A classic
example is the sale of a donated or heavily defrayed $35,000 SUV via a
lottery limited to 1,000 $100 tickets. A fabulous fundraiser - but not
an acceptable fundraiser for a Scout Unit....

-END-

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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
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loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
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Received on Thu Sep 15 21:22:14 2005