Just mentioning the date February 14th stirs feelings of romance and brings visions of heart shaped candies, flowers and little red hearts & cupids. Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14th has long been associated with romance. In fact, it has become a festival for celebrating love and romance. Much has been said about the birth of St. Valentine’s Day and without a doubt that discussion will go on. In the meantime, this tremendously popular day with its hearts, candy, flowers and jewelry offers many opportunities to raise funds for your particular cause. Valentine’s Day is great for an assortment of fundraising activities.
Valentine’s Day Fundraising in Schools
Valentines Day fundraising can be very profitable for schools. Most of us are familiar with the fundraising packets children bring home from school every fall. They are an important source of funds for the schools. However, they are always done in the first few months of the school year.
January and February present an excellent window of opportunity to organize and hold a school fundraiser. Generally the sales campaign should be thirty days or less with delivery to purchasers at least three days before Valentines Day.
There are many Valentine’s Day themed products to sell including chocolates, greeting cards, roses, bud vases, crystal, jewelry and many other items. Contact local and online wholesalers well in advance, and where possible have some inventory on hand prior to taking orders. One reliable source is the Fundraising Yellow Pages, is a great source of info for anyone trying to organize a fundraising event.
Valentine’s Day Fundraising Events
Valentines Day fundraising events range widely from parties and local galas to sponsored theme events, challenge events, entertainments, yard sales and even fashion shows. The possibilities for fundraising events are endless, and creative people are constantly devising new ideas. Some of the popular fundraising events are listed below:
Family events - events or activities that families can undertake or attend together.
Consider a themed Valentine’s Day Social for families (guests will be honored and presented with a rose or other Valentine’s appropriate gift).
Have a Valentine’s Day Tea wherein women honor other women for their achievements (honorees presented with a rose, chocolates or other Valentines Day gift).
Host a Valentine’s Day Romantic Dinner and Dance for couples.
There are several possibilities for making money with these types of Valentine’s Day fundraisers. Actually, most fundraisers would agree that a combination approach is best. The combination includes:
Sell tickets for admission (or get an organization to sell them for a percentage of each ticket).
Sell advertisements to businesses and individuals for a souvenir brochure the attendees will take with them.
Have Valentine’s Day gift items available for sale before, during and after the event.
These are but a few general ideas of the possibilities for Valentines Day fundraising. The key is to do your research and start early. It is critical that you have a reputable and reliable source for the Valentines themed products to be sold directly to customer or purchased for decorating tables, the banquet facility, etc.
Do not take anything for granted and ask as many questions as you need to ask. Take the time to meet with organizational officers, church members. Local leaders, charity executives and fundraising consultants to get the assistance you need and you will have a successful event that may become your major annual fundraiser.
