Our ward once did a fancy fundraising dinner with an interesting approach: The bishop announced that it would be "dinner out" and the cost was to be whatever you would normally spend on dinner out. If you would normally go to a fancy restaurant and spend $200 then that was the cost. If you were used to going to McDonalds and feeding the whole family on $10 then that was the cost for you. If you hadn't been out to eat in a year because you couldn't afford it, then you were welcome to come and enjoy a free dinner and have your once-a-year dinner out courtesy of the ward. "Admission" was paid in sealed envelopes and no one knew who paid what -- or even if some of the envelopes were empty.
Our young women have done several dessert auctions, where a pie can sell for as much as $50. But to keep things fair, they'll also say, "This cake goes to the first family to the front of the room with $5" or "these cookies go to the first kid with 50 cents." It keeps things lively and helps the "poor relations" of the ward (like me) enjoy what would otherwise be a miserable activity.
Our ward has had huge success for a number of years with the two dinners they put on each year - the YW do a potato bar and the Scouts do a spaghetti dinner. $5 a person, or $20 per family - which is a deal for us nowadays, with 4 kids.
Our young men have a car washing day in the Church car park to raise funds every year, it is a one off event that I understand is within the guidelines for such events. They always do a fantastic job of cleaning the car both inside and out, that I am sure if they did it once a month everyone would still turn up to get their car cleaned and they would earn much more money throughout the year.
Our youth fundraiser this year is apparently an authentic Mexican dinner-- $10 a plate per person or $30 per family. (Actually, that sounds like a good deal to me, we have some great cooks in our ward-- many from Mexico-- and $30 per family is a lot less than you can spend on dinner for 4 or 5 around here! Anyone interested?)
Our ward has had some interesting fund raisers. ... They've ... made Valentines Day and Mother's Day gift bags. They took orders, filled the bags with goodies, then delivered them to the mothers. That was one of my daughter's personal progress projects, so I got to help her with the shopping for the "goodies." It was a lot of fun shopping for bargains. We spent about $8 per bag and sold the bags for $15. But we also felt that our customers were getting a good deal because if they had bought those items individually, they would have cost $30. (That's how good a shopper I am!)
From Nauvoo.com
Jenny says: Be VERY, VERY careful doing auctions of any kind -- richer unit members may blow tons and embarass poor members. Less skilled cooks (read Jenny Smith here) will go home with hurt feelings if their food goes for 50 cents. I'd personally never arrange a fundraiser auction for Church or Scouts, but you do what works for you.
Never, ever hit up folks for attendance at a fundraiser -- you don't know their financial situation or opinions on fundraisers. Fundraisers are always optional.
If you hate attending fundraisers, make a donation using the Other field on your tithing slip, and make it clear that folks may make donations that way instead of donating at the fundraiser. Remember however, that unit budgets, especially in small wards and branches are notoriously small and your funds could be desperately needed.
8 Comments
Auctions are not approved by
Submitted by Rex Jensen (not verified) on
Auctions are not approved by the church. This policy was put in place about thirty years ago.
The most recent Handbook of
Submitted by smatthews (not verified) on
The most recent Handbook of Instruction (2010) has no mention of auctions.
Read the handbook policy on
Submitted by MN (not verified) on
Read the handbook policy on any type of fundraiser as it is not the first option to do and ALWAYS get the approval from your Bishop and he should get it from the Stake President.
Our youth sell American Flag
Submitted by Not Registered (not verified) on
Our youth sell American Flag postings as a fundraiser each year. For a donation (most donate $40), the YM/YW will post a very large American Flag in your yard on every American Holiday, and retrieve it at day's end. This has been very successful in our neighbhorhood and is a fundraiser that even non-members of our faith participate in.
This ONLY is productive if
Submitted by Chris (not verified) on
This ONLY is productive if you live in a ward that the boundries are small. You also need to have commitment from leaders to take time out of their holiday.
Guess I'll have to weigh in
Submitted by Jenny Smith on
Guess I'll have to weigh in on this.
Yes, while the Budgetary Guidelines published in the 1998 handbook do allow for fundraisers, the 2004 amendment letter and subsequent increase in youth budget allowances has discouraged their use. In 2004, units were given a larger per youth allowance for activities that was intended to remove some of the burden of what I call the "Youth Tax," those funds spent on youth activities and equipment for which leaders and parents do not receive reimbursement.
However (you knew there had to be one, huh)....
Units may hold group fundraisers for youth activities and equipment (including Cub Scouts; limited to one per year, and only IF the youth are unable to earn the money themselves individually) and IF fundraisers are able to meet the following guidelines:
On Scouts:
Here's a link to to a document talking about rules for fundraising with a scout troop.
When done in accordance with the above guidelines, certain "selling" type fundraisers are approved according to this 2005 letter from Elder Charles Dahlquist quoted again in this 2007 letter from David Pack.
Here's a link to the Q&A Pack mentioned. Reading it may prove useful for wards or branches trying to determine what an approved fundraiser would be.
Friends of Scouting is a separate event. Members are encouraged by Church leaders to also donate to this fundraising effort as well, and it does not count as your annual fundraiser.
Did that say CUB SCOUT fundraisers?
Yes. So technically, a unit with a YW, YM, and Cub Scout program holding YW, YM, and Day Camp may hold 3 fundraisers during the year in addition to Friends of Scouting. Is this to be preferred? Of course not. You should only do a fundraiser in exceptional circumstances.
What Would Jenny Do?
I am not diametrically opposed to fundraisers, but my preference would be that leaders would consider stepping into the community and tapping people outside the ward/branch unit for fundraisers. Despite increased budget allowances and constant reminders to "turn in your receipts," leaders use personal funds to supplement meager unit budgets. They also serve in callings that require them to buy uniforms and equipment not reimbursed by the unit. They also attend camps for which they will pay hundreds of dollars.
So I say give 'em a break!!! Allow community members to receive blessings by supporting scouting or religious groups, too. Besides, our youth are fantastic. Let others see how great they are by getting them into the community more.
How about auctions?
An earlier poster (also seen here) implied that I was encouraging auctions as fundraisers with this posting. I'm not sure how the words: "I'd personally never arrange a fundraiser auction for Church or Scouts" could be misconstrued to be encouraging an auction; nevertheless, let me be clear: the above is posted as a source of ideas for your approved fundraising efforts. I am quoting another source (cited above) and include the information for your reference only.
As for a specific prohibition from Church leaders on auctions, there is none, as Rex himself states here.
The rules are clear, and it is up to your bishop or branch president to determine if your activity (auction or other type) meets the guidelines set by the Church.
Clipart, Young Women, Primary, RS
We also did the "dinner out"
Submitted by Shannon Jensen (not verified) on
We also did the "dinner out" idea plus a service auction and there were things all over the gym people donated (things that they had made). It was a great success and we made well over what we needed to last year!
For years our ward has been making boutonniers and corsages for Mother’s/Father’s Day ( I believe we sell them for around 10-12 $). It’s like getting two fundraisers in one. We send a sign up around for both and collect the money. We buy the supplies where we can get a discounted price ( Sam’s or Costco ect). The Saturday before we make, package and deliver them. We also make a couple extra for the singles, divorced or widowed in the ward. We have always had some people not want a flower but donated money or a flower to someone else.
The corsages sounds like a
Submitted by Jenny Smith on
The corsages sounds like a great fundraiser idea. I love it! Thanks for sharing!
Clipart, Young Women, Primary, RS
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