Must I Offer A Prize Program?
There is no simple answer to this question. Prizes when done right create
excitement, enthusiasm and reward individuals for a "job well done."
Prizes & Incentives can help your fundraiser DO BETTER! Groups using
prize programs achieve better results than groups without a prize program.
Schools or groups that offer prizes have more people participate. These
sellers are more motivated and as a result, your fundraiser runs better
and raises more money. Prizes are a terrific way to say "thank you"
and "congratulations!"
Am I REQUIRED to offer a prize program?
Absolutely not. We do not require any group to offer incentives. Some
sellers have their own reasons for incentives. Earning dollars to be applied
to a trip expense etc.
How much do I need to spend if I don't choose a color brochure prize
program?
Costs should be reasonable, most sellers are helping earn money for a
group that they identify with and want to help out. Spending too little
"being chintzy" and overspending "wasting money" does
not guarantee better results. Most groups spend an average cost of about
three to five percent of expected sales. Prize costs should be in proportion to
your group's size and your expected goal. The bigger the goal - the more
you need incentives! Give awards and have drawings for sellers who don't
reach the top seller category. You make more money if 200 people sell
5 items, than if 5 people sell 30 items! Prize costs can be drastically
reduced by seeking business partners who will donate prizes. Make a plan
and call ahead a make arrangements to meet when they are not experiencing
their peak time of the work day. Identify yourself and present a request
on group letterhead paper, if possible. There is no single "Best
Prize". Great prizes depend on your group's age, size and type.
Prizes basically come in two types: Design Your Own or Pre-Packaged
Programs.
Alphafundraising offers 10 great color brochure prize programs. These
offerings specialize in constructing prize programs that offer great incentives
for any group's requirements. Please review these prize programs and select
one that best fits your group. Plus we offer numerous suggestions for
creating your own prize programs.
What kind of prize program should our group present to the sellers?
Prizes are generally awarded based on three variations or a combination
of these variables.
#1 - Top Seller awards are based upon amounts sold or amounts collected.
These are generally considered to be the grand prizes. Some examples of
grand prizes are TV's, DVD Players, Electronic Game Equipment, Cash Awards,
Prom Tickets, Concert Tickets etc. Several prizes may be awarded to your
top sellers. Example: Create awards for the Top 3 Sellers, Top 5 Sellers
or Top 10 sellers.
#2 - Step-level prizes are considered non-competitive and are awarded
based upon a seller reaching a certain target goal. Example: Sellers earn
prizes if they attain goals of $50, $100, $150, $200 in amounts sold.
Prizes for step-level prize programs increase in value as the goal increases.
#3 - Class or Team awards are based on top seller within their group.
Some project co-ordinators offer awards to as many as the top three groups.
Example: An elementary school may offer Ice Cream Sundae Parties for the
Top Selling Class in grades Kdg - 1st, 2nd - 3rd, 4th - 5th. In addition
to awarding the top classes, don't forget the group leaders or teachers
who helped them be a winners. Prizes take more time, cost and effort!
"We don't believe in prizes." - Our kids will do it for the good of
the school.
"We don't believe in competition."
Have you forgotten what it was like when you were a kid? You didn't
do it just for the good of the school and the kids today are no different.
Prizes were important then and prizes are just as important now. Prizes
make it fun and prizes are an important way of recognizing those who have
done a great job!
What if they cause a problem?
You don't believe in competition. Okay, when did your school stop giving
grades or evaluating school's academic performance or assessing teachers'
skills or when did colleges stop looking at SAT's and GPA's? We are also
against mean or unfair competition but fundraising isn't about meanness
or unfairness. Fundraising is about doing important things for your group
that otherwise would not be provided for.
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