Fundraiser Goes Swimmingly!

Fundrazr.ca: Today we’ve been joined by Jocelyne Fournier-Trottier who has been achieving some great results with the FundScrip program. Jocelyne, perhaps you could start us off by telling us what your fundraiser is all about…

Jocelyne: The Marlins is a swim club; and we came up with fundraising to keep our registration costs low. We do a lot of fundraisers – FundScrip is one, we do silent auctions, and we have a swimathon.

Fundrazr.ca: Ok, so what percentage of your fundraising is represented by FundScrip?

Jocelyne: 1/5^th.

Fundrazr.ca: So 20% then…

Jocelyne: Yes, hopefully the number will be higher next year.

Fundrazr.ca: Ok, and how long have you been involved in the program?

Jocelyne: Um, well we were with a competitor of yours and we’ve allowed both options this year to see how it would go.

Fundrazr.ca: And how are you finding the comparison?

Jocelyne: Good. I find that FundScrip is very on-schedule… there’s no running around – it comes out of your account on a Thursday, you have your cards on the following Wednesday (it’s an extra day because we are so far up north), and that’s been working fine with our parents. The turn-around is quick.

Fundrazr.ca:  I see; where exactly are you located?

Jocelyne: We’re in Timmins Ontario.

Fundrazr.ca: Ah! So, how much money have you raised to date through FundScrip?

Jocelyne: I think we’re up to 4 or $5000 dollars now.

Fundrazr.ca: I see, and how long have you been involved in the program?

Jocelyne: Since September or October.

Fundrazr.ca: Oh, so just a short time…only 6 months or so. That’s great! So, what made you look for another gift card fundraising provider?

Jocelyne: Well, your competitor was giving us a hard time last year at the end of the year; a lot of gift cards were on back-order. And of course when you have supporters that have to pay invoices with gift cards and we’re not providing them, it made the liaison a lot harder and the business a lot harder to fundraise for.

A lot of the parents who count on their grocery money for the next two weeks weren’t getting their gift cards for a month and a half later so it created some problems there. A lot of parents were hesitant to keep going with the gift cards. I think that’s why we’ve only managed to raise between 4 and $5000… but seeing that it’s so positive this year, I think a lot of the parents in September are going to be ready to go again. A lot of parents held back this year.

Fundrazr.ca: Well that’s good to hear. So how many people are involved in fundraising for your group?

Jocelyne: In our group we have 70 swimmers – we have approximately 40-50 families.

Fundrazr.ca: And what do you do to interest people in the fundraising drive?

Jocelyne: Well we make it mandatory. They have to fundraise a certain amount; and if they haven’t reached that threshold, then they have to cough up the money.

Fundrazr.ca: I see – so that amount is based on your fees I assume?

Jocelyne: That’s right. Everybody has a commitment that they have to raise $200 through FundScrip; and if they don’t achieve their goal, then they owe us. We do fundraising to help subsidize the costs, so if some parents aren’t willing to do the fundraising, it’s not fair to the others. Make sense?

Fundrazr.ca: It totally makes sense. So you don’t have to worry about getting supporters I suppose because it’s mandatory; if they’ve signed up with you, then they’re a supporter.

Jocelyne: Yeah, and if they choose not to buy any gift cards, that’s fine, but their registration fees go up.

Fundrazr.ca: Sure, so there’s a real financial incentive for them to participate. So as you know, this interview is being posted at Fundrazr.ca in an effort to help others achieve success in the FundScrip program and to share best practices in fundraising…

Jocelyne: Well as a fundraising director, this is the easiest of all my 5 fundraisers to do, because it puts the responsibility back on the parent rather than on me. All I have to do is pick up the cards, show up at the pool and hand out the envelopes. So that’s not a big deal – I don’t have to run after them for money; if they don’t pick up their cards it’s not my problem you know? – so that is a huge advantage. I highly recommend FundScrip and have done so to some of the schools actually.

Fundrazr.ca: So you’ve tried other fundraising methods in the past; how have they worked out for you?

Jocelyne: Well, they’ve worked out. I mean, in the end it always works out – but as far as time consumption and responsibility goes, this has to be the easiest fundraiser compared to the others.

Fundrazr.ca: Great – that’s gratifying to hear. Do you have any plans to improve the performance of your program over the next few months?

Jocelyne: Because our swim club is closed during the summer, I’m hoping to keep fundraising through the summer months. I’m hoping that by not having that pause and keeping it continuous, it’ll make it easier in September for people to get onboard. And some people can meet their commitment just in the summer!

Fundrazr.ca: Well that’s excellent Jocelyne – we’ll wish you continued success with your fundraising efforts in future and thank you for sharing your thoughts with us today.