What Are The Key Stages Of A Flower Fundraiser?

Introduction to Flower Fundraising: A Blooming Opportunity

Flower fundraisers are a popular and refreshing way to raise funds for schools, non-profits, and other organizations. At JOCO growers, we dedicate 100% of our growing space to growing flowers specifically for fundraising purposes. Our fundraiser offers a unique approach, combining the beauty of nature with the goodwill of supporting a cause. Our flower fundraiser differs from other fundraising ideas because we provide a product many people already want at a fair price, helping you skip the big box stores and pass the profit on to you. Whether for a local charity or a school, flower fundraising is not just about raising money; it’s about spreading joy to others and supporting your local community. Plus, flower fundraisers provide the opportunity to fundraise multiple times a year, as many people are often looking to purchase flowers semi-annually in the spring and fall seasons.

To make the most of your fundraiser, thoughtfully planning each stage is important. From setting goals to managing deliveries, each step plays a part in executing a successful fundraiser. Below, we’ll guide you through the main stages you need to follow to pull off a blooming fundraiser that achieves your goals.

Setting Up the Fundraiser: Follow These Stages For Success

Organizing a fundraiser of any kind can feel like an overwhelming task, especially for busy teachers or organizations with busy schedules and plenty to do on their plate. JOCO specializes in organizing these events in partnership with our clients to make the process smooth, streamlined, and as simple as possible. It’s important to break down each step of the process into well-thought-out stages. Breaking down the process step-by-step while planning will help you make sure nothing gets overlooked. From setting up your initial goals to delivering flowers to your supporters, this guide will help you break it down into digestible steps.

First Steps: Set Clear Goals

Every successful fundraiser starts with a clear and reachable goal in mind. Start by figuring out exactly what you need to raise to hit your goal and what that money will be used for. Maybe you’re raising funds for a school trip, a project in your community, or a charity you’re passionate about. Being specific about the purpose of the fundraiser makes it easier for potential donors to connect with your cause.

Once your purpose is defined, decide on a financial target. How much money do you need to raise? Having a realistic and measurable goal will give you and your team a target to aim for throughout the campaign (plus, it’s fun to celebrate getting closer to your goals with your team along the way!) To set an achievable goal, start by calculating how much you’ll need after factoring in your expenses. Also, keep in mind that if your goal is a target that can be reached within your set timeframe.

Once you have a goal set, communicate it with your supporters. When people know what they’re contributing to, they’re more likely to engage and offer their support.

Build A Timeline

Once your goals are in place, the next key steps are building a timeline and organizing your team. Your fundraising efforts will go much more smoothly with a bit of thoughtful planning; timing is everything. Avoid scrambling at the last minute by creating a timeline that includes each stage, including planning, selling, and order fulfillment.

Start by identifying key milestones. For example, when do you want to distribute order forms? How long will you promote it before orders close? When will you start product deliveries/ when will orders ship, and how long will you need to distribute everything? Break these down into manageable time frames so everyone involved knows when things need to happen.

It’s also crucial to account for any possible delays. Weather or slower-than-expected sales can impact your timeline, so having some flexibility built into your plan will help you stay on track.

Organize Your Team

A well-organized team will help make your fundraisers successful and more manageable. No matter how big or small your group is, having people assigned to specific tasks will keep everything running smoothly. Your team could include a mix of volunteers, staff members, and/or community supporters.

We suggest breaking down these roles to keep things running smoothly:

Coordinator/Organizer: This person organizes and manages the fundraising team, makes sure everything is on track, and helps everyone meet the deadlines.

Order Manager: This person handles incoming orders, handles forms collecting, and ensures everything is processed correctly.

Logistics Lead: Works with our team to ensure orders are delivered to donors on time.

Use Our Brochure To Spread The Word

One of the best ways to promote your flower fundraiser is through an engaging brochure. Our well-designed brochures showcase the flowers you’ll be selling and includes an easy-to-use order form. Our brochures add a professional touch to our client’s fundraisers and helps build trust with your customers.

You can also engage in other forms of publicity to help sell your flowers. For example, use social media to spread the news and share what you’re doing on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Manage & Track When Orders Ship

One of the key logistical elements of flower fundraisers is managing orders and ensuring they are delivered on time. Once supporters have placed their orders, it’s important to have a system in place to track them from the moment they’re received to the point they’re delivered. This prevents any mix-ups and keeps everything running smoothly.

At JOCO, we make this part of holding fundraisers easy. We hold your hand throughout the process and provide what you need to help keep track of your orders. We’ll even help you set up your sale and credit card processing. So easy!

Deliver Flowers To Your Customers

The final stage is delivering the flowers to your customers. This is where all the hard work pays off! Coordinating flower deliveries can be tricky; this is another area where JOCO makes a huge difference.

JOCO delivers within 3 hours of Cincinnati and Cleveland, making it easy for your customers to get their flowers directly to their homes without needing volunteers to hand deliver the flowers to them, saving time and resources on your end. You can also coordinate a pickup at a central location if needed.

Flowers are delicate, so it’s essential to handle them with care. Who better to trust than us to ensure you avoid any damage during transport? We’re proud to make things as easy as possible every step of the way. Once the flowers are delivered, follow up with your supporters to make sure they’re happy with their orders. A simple thank-you note goes a long way in showing appreciation and encouraging them to participate in future events.