Check the rules

• It’s vital that you are financially compliant when handling student, school, and district funds. There are limitations on what you can spend the money on, as well as what sorts of activities are welcomed as fundraisers. Check with your district or CTE director on the rules and regulations around fundraising to make sure you are fulfilling all requirements.

Reward hard work

• Many advisors I interviewed follow this simple rule: If the student does the work, they get the money they earned. Nothing will stifle enthusiasm and participation quite like sharing the fundraised earnings with all of the members, including those who did not participate or do the work. These fundraisers are an opportunity for your students to earn their way toward competitions, interact with the community, and develop new skills. Be sure to reward those students who jump in and lead out.

Get creative

• There are a variety of ways to fundraise, whether you choose to bootstrap it yourself or use a third party to coordinate the project. If you’re choosing to go about it yourself, listed below are some ideas to get you started (and don’t forget about the virtual fundraising options, too!).
• Fundraiser ideas:
  • Yard sale at the beginning of the summer
    • When garage sale season begins, consider gathering items from members or the community that can be donated to your chapter. Your chapter can sell the items themselves and keep the earnings for your chapter.
  • Printshop
    • Many CTE classrooms are likely equipped (or can be, by way of funding) with anything from sublimation printers to heat presses. Your chapter can offer up print products for sale to students or the community.
  • Ask businesses for donations
    • A simple and effective way to gain funds can be accomplished by reaching out to local businesses for sponsorship or donations. This is most powerful when the request comes from the students. Help them to write a professional letter that highlights what they do in their chapter, then have them send it to the businesses.
  • Set up a student store or offer to help run concessions at sporting events
    • Work with your school or district to set up a student store at lunch or a concession stand at sporting events. Chapter members who work during these times can keep the proceeds to fund their own personal travel to competitions. Depending on your CTSO, this can be a great tie-in to running a business.
  • Use your equipment to produce items that students can buy
    • Similar to “Printshop” above, utilize your chapter’s equipment to produce items that people can buy. Do you have students that can use a sewing machine, embroidery machine, laser printer, web design program,  etc.? Teach them how to use it and let them get creative with ideas!