LDS Fundraiser 101

FUNDRAISING 101 ...just sit tight while I get through the disclaimer!!

Before I start this I want to reference 13.2.8 & 13.6.8 in Handbook 2 and remind EVERYONE that I DO NOT SPEAK FOR THE CHURCH!:

13.2.8 Funding for Activities

Leaders ensure that expenses for activities are in accordance with the current budget and finance policies of the Church. The following principles apply.

Most activities should be simple and have little or no cost. Expenditures must be approved by the stake presidency or bishopric before they are incurred.

Stake and ward budget funds should be used to pay for all activities, programs, and supplies. Members should not pay fees to participate. Nor should they provide materials, supplies, rental or admission fees, or long-distance transportation at their own expense. Activities in which members provide food may be held if doing so does not place undue burdens on them.

Possible exceptions to the funding policy in the preceding paragraph are listed below. If the ward budget does not have sufficient funds to pay for the following activities, leaders may ask participants to pay for part or all of them:
1. One annual extended Scout camp or similar activity for young men.
2. One annual young women camp or similar activity.
3. One annual day camp or similar activity for Primary children ages 8 through 11.
4. Optional activities as outlined in 13.5.

If funds from participants are not sufficient, the bishop may authorize one group fund-raising activity annually that complies with the guidelines in 13.6.8.

In no case should the expenses or travel for an annual camp or similar activity be excessive. Nor should the lack of personal funds prohibit a member from participating.

13.6. 8 Fund-Raising Activities

Fund-raising activities are not usually approved because expenses for stake and ward activities are paid with budget funds. As an exception, a stake president or bishop may authorize one group fund-raising activity each year. Such an activity may be held to raise funds for the following purposes only:
1. To help pay the cost of one annual camp or similar activity as outlined in 13.2.8.
2. To help purchase equipment that the unit needs for annual camps as outlined in 13.2.9.

If a fund-raising activity is held, it should provide a meaningful value or service. It should be a positive experience that builds unity.

Contributions to fund-raising activities are voluntary. Priesthood leaders should take special care to ensure that members do not feel obligated to contribute.

Stakes and wards that sponsor fund-raising activities should not advertise or solicit beyond their boundaries. Nor should they sell products or services door to door.

Examples of fund-raising activities that are not approved include:
1. Activities that would be taxable.
2. Activities completed with paid labor, either by employees or by contract.
3. Entertainment for which the stake or ward pays performers for their services, when admission is charged, and when the intent of the activity is to raise funds.
4. The sale of commercial goods or services, including food storage items.
5. Games of chance, such as raffles, lotteries, and bingo.

Any exceptions to these instructions must be approved by a member of the Presidency of the Seventy or the Area Presidency.

The Friends of Scouting fund drive in the United States will continue as a separate, voluntary solicitation.  -end of excerpt-

so ME again, I also need you to read this page:

BSA offers guidance on individual Scout accounts

 

OH AND: 

Money raised in the name of Scouting that isn’t used for Scouting is a definite no-no.

 

Done? Good Now Let's TALK TURKEY!

 

 So WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN?

Basically, you could have one fundraiser a year and the money goes towards an actual event like a day camp or a very special activity & you can not charge admission to a fundraising event.

Please note this is WITH BISHOP'S APPROVAL!!

He is under NO OBLIGATION to approve your event or fundraiser!

Ok, You only get one fundraiser per year so it's gotta be great! 

Here is a fun list of ones that wards have done!

1. Pancakes with Santa- This is a free event you just put out a few tithing slips, pens and envelopes for a quick discreet donation. Watch cute scouts flip a few hot cakes and pass of requirements while doing so. Snap pictures with Santa. win/win

2. Recycle Cans- You can have families save and bring all their cans to pack night every month. You can have this as your only fundraiser but have the whole year (or until your event that you are working towards) to keep it open and going. When the cans are turned in for money that money is then donated by the person who received it and put into a tithing slip envelope in the section "other". You then write in what it is for.

3. Mother's Day fundraiser: A cookie, a rose in a vase and delivery for $10. We love this one! Don't forget, there is an initial cost to put this one together. Always council with your finance clerk on how best to pull it off. Usually he can reimburse you for your out of pocket expense once the fundraiser is over.

Ps. Make sure all the food is sealed in plastic baggies, don't just hand someone an unwrapped cookie! (-ps.you may need a food handler's license if you do the baking.)

4. Father's Day Fundraiser: This is my favorite! It's a tie and a cookie for $10. This one is usually pretty good, we raked in $500 but there is a $200 up front initial cost for these items.

Again, always council with your finance clerk on how best to pull it off. Usually he can reimburse you for your out of pocket expense on the items sold once the fundraiser is over. I like to use http://thematchingtieguy.com/ but you can be creative! Have someone home sew them, go goodwill hunting, find a bulk item purchase online. If you do order a bulk online, do it early! A rough estimate will be needed. You could say "we purchased 50, first come first serve" or you could just guess then if your under what you need, fill it in with local store ties.

5. Scout Popcorn sales:  

Check with your local district in your council on this and then go here: http://www.trails-end.com/

6. Flag fundraiser: This is not my personal favorite mostly because of the up front cost to buy all the poles and flags ($500 in most cases). You sell $40 prescriptions to members of your ward and then you get the boys (but normally it ends up being the leaders) put up flags on certain holidays which usually are:  

1. Flag Day, June 14,  

2. Independence Day, July 4

3. Memorial Day (half-staff until noon*), the last Monday in May

4. Labor Day, first Monday in September,   

5. Veterans Day, November 11

Make sure you follow proper flag etiquette: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/flagetiquette1.html

7. Bake Sale Fundraiser: This works best made by supervision of someone who has a food handlers license in a pet free environment. It can cost next to zero if you have the boys each bring an ingredient or two. Just send around a sign up and start baking!

8. Mother & Son's cake bake and silent auction- If you have willing hands to help you can have a silent auction. They work by putting out tables with items in baskets to auction. You can auction off homemade cakes and whatever else you wish. You just put a clip board & a pen in front of each item and let the auction begin. Some wards do this during a fun event like Pinewood derby or Blue 'n Gold. Dad had all the fun making the derby car let mom help bake something, obviously with the scout's help....right.....??

9. Christmas Trees – deliver and/or dispose (in many cases Scouts get orders to size of tree wanted and actually go and cut trees). Depending on area and market trees could sell from $40-$100 so 50 orders could be anywhere from $2K-$5k less cost of trees.

10. Youth Talent show and Dinner-  Much like the Breakfast with Santa, this is a free event you just put out a few tithing slips, pens and envelopes for a quick discreet donation. Watch cute scouts do skits, sing songs, dance, act and pass of requirements while doing so. Snap pictures. win/win  In FACT, you could add in a silent auction.

So that's is my 2 cents!

Remember not every one will be approved to do these events and this might surprise you but  the great news is...

YOU WILL LIVE! yay!

 Please leave me a comment if you have an idea to add or you have a question!

Thanks!!