Fundraising Ideas

No funds to send your members to the National Convention?

Read on for some ideas on how to generate funds and have your school represented at the convention. If you have additional ideas on fundraising that you would like to share with schools interested in attending convention, please send them to the Student Conference Coordinator and we'll include them on the web site.

Companies are contributing through donations in increasing amounts each year. And you're in luck! Colleges and universities receive the largest amount of the donations given by companies (about one/third of all contributions made). What does this mean for your SWE section? Companies are out there looking for valid places to donate their money. Sending SWE students to the National Convention and Student Conference has continued to be a valid sponsorship avenue for companies.

Fundraising can consist of many different approaches.

Write a proposal asking for sponsorship to corporate representatives

Check with your college of engineering or your engineering department for sponsorship opportunities

Raid your business cards for contact names and addresses

Search your local yellowpages for local business to support your endeavors. And don't forget to follow up your solicitation letter with a phone call!

Some schools have had massive success with t-shirt sales.

Sell candy, cokes, or doughnuts.

Try a car wash!

Have a craft sale (if you have any creative and crafty members)

Sponsor a run or a walk-a-thon

Have a bingo night fund-raiser

Ask your parents!

Finally, many of you will have summer jobs working for major corporations or small local firms. First, make sure you ask for the time off to attend convention. Explain to the company the importance of attending this national event and the opportunities it will provide to you. If the company is participating in the convention through sponsorship or an exhibit booth, ask if you can help out. Finally, ask for sponsorship or some sort of financial support to attend. The worst the company can say is no and then you are no worse off then before. And more likely, the company will agree to either give you the time off or assist you with your trip.

Check out these great web sites for additional ideas on fundraising: www.fundraiser.com, www.fundraisinglady.com, and www.gil.com.au/_pnash/funds/fundrais.htm

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Contact the Student Conference Coordinator.