Funding Your Organization - St. Norbert College

All organizations need money. Money is needed to publicize meetings, send a mailing, go to conferences, or host educational or social events. Money can be a cornerstone of an organization’s stability. Organization cash flow should always be a planned program. Planning ahead for all expenses will ensure that you do not end up in debt.

Following are ways for your organization to raise money. In addition to these, there are also financial sources available for organizations if your program meets the requirements. Remember that a combination of sources is the most profitable way to raise money.

Collect dues from your members. Be sure to make this a reasonable amount. Also, let your members have input in what the dues will be used for; and, in the end, make sure they know what they will be used for. Include in your income projection calculations of any money left in your treasury from the previous year. Plan a variety of fund raisers throughout the year.
Set up a co-sponsorship or joint venture agreement if you have a program or advertising campaign that could use assistance. This is especially valuable if your program will benefit a large portion of the SNC population. Another student organization, E2K or a local business may be willing to share in the expenses of your program if it is mutually beneficial.
The Student Government Association allocates Student Activity Fee money every spring for the following year. If you are interested in applying for funds, check out the student activity fee website. Student Activity Fee money is awarded to groups who offer programs with the potential to benefit the entire SNC community.
The Student Government Association also allocates SGA Program Grants. Grants used to stimulate campus-wide programs which enhance the educational, cultural, and social environment of St. Norbert College. Grants are awarded for such things as speakers, capital equipment needs, and conference attendance. Programs and activities proposed must potentially benefit all SNC students. Applications for SGA Program Grants are on-line from the student activity fee website. Completed forms should be returned to the Department of Leadership, Service & Involvement well before your scheduled event.
Plan fund raisers throughout the entire academic year. A fund raiser should be a planned program, rather than a hasty way to make some quick money. Planning will make your fund raiser much more successful and profitable.
Taking goods on consignment is also a way to generate revenue without an outlay for expenses. What this means is contractually arranging to sell a company’s products and paying for the products after the sale, keeping a set percentage of the profit. This greatly reduces the amount of seed money you would need to get a fund raiser off the ground.

As you can see, there are many resources available to student organizations wishing to provide quality programs for their members or even the entire campus. Remember to plan ahead though; it is much easier to raise money when you have time and a well thought out plan on your side.