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I started this post with the intent of starting conversation to find some ideas and examples of annual one-time camp cost and/or camp equipment fundraising activities that are appropriate (i.e. meet Church policy outlined in Church Hand Book 2, Section 13.6.8) and effective (i.e. activity is able to generate the necessary funds). I hope this thread can stay “on topic” by restricting comments to what your Ward experience is in regards to fundraising activities. What has worked and was has not worked well and why.
Note, I have read a number of Posts and comment threads that discuss various opinions about fundraising activities and ask before you comment to refer to HB 2 Section 13.2.8 Funding for Activities. Based on Church Hand Book (Church policy) it seems clear (at least to me) there are explicit and intended exceptions to the general policy that all activities must be paid from Ward Budget funds. The exception is for one annual Scout Camp, or YW Camp, or Cub Scout Day Camp fundraising activity if a) Ward Budget does not have sufficient funds, b) funds from participants are not sufficient then c) Bishop may authorize one group fund-raising activity annually that complies with the guidelines in HB 2 13.6.8. This is a clear objective standard that allows fundraising activities in those specific circumstances. Thus, I don’t see any merit in observations/comments that fundraising activities are against Church policy. There are also subjective issues such as a determination of when Ward Budget is not sufficient for the above activities, when funds from participants are not sufficient, what is considered “excessive” expenses (i.e. what might be excessive cost in Utah might be considered normal in California).
These subjective issues ultimately are decided at the discretion of the Stake President and/or Bishop in their authority and often with input from Ward Council (includes Ward Clerks). Thus, each Ward may deal with these subjective issues differently which does not mean that one is correct and the other is not.
Thus, comments/discussions that imply fundraising that meets the above described policy is NOT appropriate is, in my view, clearly personal opinion and not stated Church policy. Any discussion about when or how much Ward Budget or participants should pay before fundraising in my view is a comment on subjective issues and should be discussed with your own Bishop. I hope the “subjective” part of issues does not become the focus of this Post.
Based on what I have seen in various Stakes/Wards, and based on various comments in these Forums, it seems that most Wards try some fundraising activity as the Bishops believes there is not enough funds in Ward Budget Allocations or funds from Participants to fund the entire cost of annual Scout Camp and/or YW Girls Camp and to smaller scale Cub Scout Day Camp. Hopefully, the comments posted here will be of benefit to these Wards needing to use fundraising for this purpose.
Also some background what is appropriate (as provided in HB 13.6.8)
1) In almost all cases limit fundraising directed only to Ward members because under 13.6.8
a) Fundraising activities should not solicit beyond Ward boundaries (Stake Boundary if Stake fundraiser) and b) products or services should not be sold door to door.
2) Fundraising activity should provide meaningful value or service. To me this means that cost for service or something else should not be artificially inflated.
Ok, with that background, here are some ideas/examples/thoughts on Fundraising activities that I have heard of that seem to be appropriate and effective:
Activities that could be considered Participant funding, not general fundraising thus might be done at different times/levels during year and might not prohibit a separate annual general fundraising activity
1) Youth Services – Example youth in Ward provide a summary of services they can offer and the price (reasonable) for that service. For example, babysitting for night, yard work, music lesson, wash your car, etc. which can vary to that Youth’s talents and abilities. I have seen Tennis Lessons, Golf Lessons, Swimming Lessons, cooking a dinner and clean up, cooking lesson, walking your dog. Each youth usually can find skill or talent that is worth something. Our Youth are very talented. This could be done in silent auction during Ward dinner/activity or youth fundraising dinner (see below) where the youth, the service, and the price is listed on various sheets that are presented on tables. At say at $10/hour a youth providing 2-4 hours a month could raise $80-$160 in four months. The payment for service should be reasonable – i.e. $50 for an hour of babysitting likely is not a meaningful value. However, a youth who is on H.S. Golf or Tennis team might reasonably be able to charge $50/hour for lesson depending on area and skill. In my view, it is probably ok to value services on high-end of typical value for service but not be egregious. Note this is not an “auction”. It is just offer for service at set price by youth.
General Fundraising Activity Ideas:
Annual Dinner/Such as Pizza Sales/Spaghetti Dinner – Youth will make and deliver dinner (e.g. pizza, spaghetti dinner) for say $20-$30. If youth get 50-100 dinners then could raise $2-3K less cost of food. Note, my feeling is that dinner ingredients items could be “contributed” by members if it does not place an undue burden, which allows full proceeds to go Camps.
Annual Barbecue Park Activity – similar to Dinner above except held at public park where dinner (hamburgers, hot-dogs, salad, chips, drinks, desserts etc.) is provided again for fee $25 family or $10 individual. Games could also be set up. This was done for Cub Scout Day Camp in a previous Ward and would raise around $1,000-$1,500. This could also be done as a Pancake Breakfast for 4th of July or Memorial Day (it can’t be a Ward Activity…it is a youth fundraising activity). Again, much of food was contributed by members; maybe meat is paid from funds raised.
Christmas Trees – deliver and/or dispose (in many cases Scouts get orders to size of tree wanted and actually go and cut trees). Depending on area and market trees could sell from $40-$100 so 50 orders could be anywhere from $2K-$5k less cost of trees.
Flag Posting – Scouts post flags in yard on Memorial Day and/or July 4th/or Veteran’s Day. My current Ward has done this for several years at $40 (put up and take down flag on three above holidays). For 50 houses could raise $2K. Note this requires meaningful commitment from Scout Troop and there are start-up costs to buy flags and poles. Also, going door-to-door soliciting is often done, but actually is not appropriate as discussed above. Also this is usually a Troop activity as all are involved together to provide service.
Youth Talent Show – Youth provide an annual talent show (skits, singing, dancing, play an instrument, etc.) and charge an entrance fee $10-$20 person for show (assumes Ward has a gym/stage). Could be a dinner and show combined with silent youth service auction all in one-event.
Auctions – my previous Ward used to have an annual fundraising dinner with auction of baked goods at end. However, auctions (live or silent bids) tend to end-up having bids that are not in-line with value of goods (i.e. cakes selling for $100 each). Because of this I think Stake told Ward to disband the auction. They could have youth make the bake goods and sell them at reasonable value (i.e. cake for $15 or so). This still could raise funds but would have to sell a lot of cakes, cookies, etc. and if only have one fund raising activity probably would not be one to rely on. I feel it depends on size of Ward.
So these are some ideas that I am familiar with. If anyone has other fundraising ideas, or ways to expand or make the above ideas more effective, I am sure many would love to see you comment.
Thanks!
Note, I have read a number of Posts and comment threads that discuss various opinions about fundraising activities and ask before you comment to refer to HB 2 Section 13.2.8 Funding for Activities. Based on Church Hand Book (Church policy) it seems clear (at least to me) there are explicit and intended exceptions to the general policy that all activities must be paid from Ward Budget funds. The exception is for one annual Scout Camp, or YW Camp, or Cub Scout Day Camp fundraising activity if a) Ward Budget does not have sufficient funds, b) funds from participants are not sufficient then c) Bishop may authorize one group fund-raising activity annually that complies with the guidelines in HB 2 13.6.8. This is a clear objective standard that allows fundraising activities in those specific circumstances. Thus, I don’t see any merit in observations/comments that fundraising activities are against Church policy. There are also subjective issues such as a determination of when Ward Budget is not sufficient for the above activities, when funds from participants are not sufficient, what is considered “excessive” expenses (i.e. what might be excessive cost in Utah might be considered normal in California).
These subjective issues ultimately are decided at the discretion of the Stake President and/or Bishop in their authority and often with input from Ward Council (includes Ward Clerks). Thus, each Ward may deal with these subjective issues differently which does not mean that one is correct and the other is not.
Thus, comments/discussions that imply fundraising that meets the above described policy is NOT appropriate is, in my view, clearly personal opinion and not stated Church policy. Any discussion about when or how much Ward Budget or participants should pay before fundraising in my view is a comment on subjective issues and should be discussed with your own Bishop. I hope the “subjective” part of issues does not become the focus of this Post.
Based on what I have seen in various Stakes/Wards, and based on various comments in these Forums, it seems that most Wards try some fundraising activity as the Bishops believes there is not enough funds in Ward Budget Allocations or funds from Participants to fund the entire cost of annual Scout Camp and/or YW Girls Camp and to smaller scale Cub Scout Day Camp. Hopefully, the comments posted here will be of benefit to these Wards needing to use fundraising for this purpose.
Also some background what is appropriate (as provided in HB 13.6.8)
1) In almost all cases limit fundraising directed only to Ward members because under 13.6.8
a) Fundraising activities should not solicit beyond Ward boundaries (Stake Boundary if Stake fundraiser) and b) products or services should not be sold door to door.
2) Fundraising activity should provide meaningful value or service. To me this means that cost for service or something else should not be artificially inflated.
Ok, with that background, here are some ideas/examples/thoughts on Fundraising activities that I have heard of that seem to be appropriate and effective:
Activities that could be considered Participant funding, not general fundraising thus might be done at different times/levels during year and might not prohibit a separate annual general fundraising activity
1) Youth Services – Example youth in Ward provide a summary of services they can offer and the price (reasonable) for that service. For example, babysitting for night, yard work, music lesson, wash your car, etc. which can vary to that Youth’s talents and abilities. I have seen Tennis Lessons, Golf Lessons, Swimming Lessons, cooking a dinner and clean up, cooking lesson, walking your dog. Each youth usually can find skill or talent that is worth something. Our Youth are very talented. This could be done in silent auction during Ward dinner/activity or youth fundraising dinner (see below) where the youth, the service, and the price is listed on various sheets that are presented on tables. At say at $10/hour a youth providing 2-4 hours a month could raise $80-$160 in four months. The payment for service should be reasonable – i.e. $50 for an hour of babysitting likely is not a meaningful value. However, a youth who is on H.S. Golf or Tennis team might reasonably be able to charge $50/hour for lesson depending on area and skill. In my view, it is probably ok to value services on high-end of typical value for service but not be egregious. Note this is not an “auction”. It is just offer for service at set price by youth.
General Fundraising Activity Ideas:
Annual Dinner/Such as Pizza Sales/Spaghetti Dinner – Youth will make and deliver dinner (e.g. pizza, spaghetti dinner) for say $20-$30. If youth get 50-100 dinners then could raise $2-3K less cost of food. Note, my feeling is that dinner ingredients items could be “contributed” by members if it does not place an undue burden, which allows full proceeds to go Camps.
Annual Barbecue Park Activity – similar to Dinner above except held at public park where dinner (hamburgers, hot-dogs, salad, chips, drinks, desserts etc.) is provided again for fee $25 family or $10 individual. Games could also be set up. This was done for Cub Scout Day Camp in a previous Ward and would raise around $1,000-$1,500. This could also be done as a Pancake Breakfast for 4th of July or Memorial Day (it can’t be a Ward Activity…it is a youth fundraising activity). Again, much of food was contributed by members; maybe meat is paid from funds raised.
Christmas Trees – deliver and/or dispose (in many cases Scouts get orders to size of tree wanted and actually go and cut trees). Depending on area and market trees could sell from $40-$100 so 50 orders could be anywhere from $2K-$5k less cost of trees.
Flag Posting – Scouts post flags in yard on Memorial Day and/or July 4th/or Veteran’s Day. My current Ward has done this for several years at $40 (put up and take down flag on three above holidays). For 50 houses could raise $2K. Note this requires meaningful commitment from Scout Troop and there are start-up costs to buy flags and poles. Also, going door-to-door soliciting is often done, but actually is not appropriate as discussed above. Also this is usually a Troop activity as all are involved together to provide service.
Youth Talent Show – Youth provide an annual talent show (skits, singing, dancing, play an instrument, etc.) and charge an entrance fee $10-$20 person for show (assumes Ward has a gym/stage). Could be a dinner and show combined with silent youth service auction all in one-event.
Auctions – my previous Ward used to have an annual fundraising dinner with auction of baked goods at end. However, auctions (live or silent bids) tend to end-up having bids that are not in-line with value of goods (i.e. cakes selling for $100 each). Because of this I think Stake told Ward to disband the auction. They could have youth make the bake goods and sell them at reasonable value (i.e. cake for $15 or so). This still could raise funds but would have to sell a lot of cakes, cookies, etc. and if only have one fund raising activity probably would not be one to rely on. I feel it depends on size of Ward.
So these are some ideas that I am familiar with. If anyone has other fundraising ideas, or ways to expand or make the above ideas more effective, I am sure many would love to see you comment.
Thanks!
