Preparing Participants
These tips are meant to help your fundraiser participants succeed in getting support. Please share these tips with you group and discuss more ideas for fun and effective selling strategies.

Who To Ask

You can ask friends, family members, neighbors, coworkers, people in your neighborhood or anyone else you think might support your cause or group. In small or close knit communities you may be able to set up outside of the local grocery store or shopping mall and solicit passers by.

When doing a direct sales fundraiser, remember never to sell alone. Always go in groups or (for children and youth)with a parent. Children should always be supervised by responsible adults. It’s a good idea to get parents involved and set up fundraising teams with adult leaders, or to organize a selling event where a group can sell together at a stationary location.

Be Prepared

You will need to be prepared for questions like who you are raising money for and how the funds will be used. Be sure to ask the person in charge if you are unsure of anything.

Before you approach a potential supporter, be sure you have all your materials. If you are doing an order-taker fundraiser, have your order form and brochure on hand, as well as a few pencils for people to fill in orders.

If you are selling small items like candy bars, lollipops or beef snacks, or participating in a Skratchers fundraiser, be sure to have a supply of cash with you to make change when necessary.

How to Ask

Hello,my name is _____________, and I’m raising money for _________________. Would you like to support our group? (Remember to tell them what they will get and what the money will be used for.) Thank you for your generosity and have a nice day.” Smile, be polite and most importantly, be enthusiastic about your cause.

Remember you are not selling candy or cookie dough, you are asking for their support.

The product is a thank you gift.

Need Help? Have Questions?


Call your friendly fundraising assistant at (707) 669-0861
or email us.