Choosing a Fundraising Goal

One of the most important steps in planning your project is setting a monetary fundraising goal. The fundraising goal sets expectations for your project, and can guide the amount of effort you and your students will make to achieve it. It is important to set a goal that is realistic and achievable while providing enough motivation to inspire student engagement. A relatively small goal might not provide much inspiration or require the effort you’d like to see in your students. On the other hand, a goal that is unrealistically high can have a similar effect and cause your project to fall flat. So, how do you choose the most appropriate fundraising goal? Check out these three tips to help you decide:

1. Student to dollar ratio

(Number of students) X ($1 dollar) = Base Amount. Let’s say you have 500 students at your school and it expected that each student will donate at least 1 dollar to the project. Set your goal above 500, but below $1000 as a way to challenge your students, but not place exceptionally high expectations for them.

2. Funds per month

Decide with your students how much funds everyone wants to try to collect each month. An easy and achievable amount for most students is a quarter. Set a fundraising goal equal or slightly higher than the amount of money this would equal by the end of the school year to motivate your students.

3. Learn from your peers

Browse our blog to see what other schools have done to get a sense for how your school might approach your own project. Check out other partcipating schools in your area and contact them to find out much funds they have raised in the past. Keeping in contact with other participating schools is also a great way to share ideas, experiences and receive support.

What ever goal you end up choosing, challenge yourselves and have fun!