Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a student-led organization for students who are enrolled in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education. As a whole, the organization focuses on character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation.
FCCLA offers many opportunities for middle-school, high-school, and college-aged students to build leadership, career readiness, and daily life skills. Conferences, chapter projects, and community service projects can be formative experiences for these students. The barrier? They all require funding.
Fundraising is an important aspect of any organization, and FCCLA is no exception. In fact, for FCCLA members, fundraising can do more than bring in money: it can give student participants hands-on experience with planning, teamwork, and communication. But what are your options for an FCCLA fundraiser?
The key to choosing a fundraiser is evaluating it against your chapter’s goals, resources, and members. From food sales and community events to shoe-drive fundraising, there are plenty of ways to raise money while keeping your community engaged!
Set Your FCCLA Fundraising Goals First
FCCLA’s emphasis on goal setting, problem-solving, decision-making, and communication makes fundraising an incredible opportunity for hands-on leadership development.
The first step to a successful fundraiser is setting goals. Before you choose a fundraiser, you should establish a fundraising goal that is:
- Specific: What are you raising money for, and how much do you need to raise?
- Realistic: Does the goal fit your chapter’s size and resources? Is it possible in the time that you’ll need to raise the money?
- Relevant: Does the goal fit your chapter’s overarching priorities?
When selecting a fundraiser, be careful not to select one just because it’s popular. Your FCCLA fundraiser should be based on your chapter’s goal, timeline, volunteer capacity, and community.Â
Our Favorite FCCLA Fundraiser Idea: A Shoe Drive Fundraiser
The best fundraisers combine engagement, community involvement, and fun. A Funds2Orgs shoe drive fundraiser does all three!
Funds2Orgs is an official fundraising partner of FCCLA, which makes a shoe drive fundraiser a great option. With a shoe drive fundraiser, your FCCLA chapter collects gently worn, used and new shoes from community members and is paid for the pounds collected. The best part? It’s completely free! Here’s how it works:
- Sign up and schedule a consultation with one of Funds2Orgs’ fundraising coaches.
- Receive a welcome kit full of collection materials, marketing templates, and more.
- Collect gently worn, used and new shoes from community members.
- Funds2Orgs will pick up your shoes, and then you’ll receive a check for the shoes you collected!
It’s that easy! A shoe drive fundraiser is a particularly good option for FCCLA chapters because it’s easy to coordinate, requires no selling or out-of-pocket costs, and earns 100% profit for your chapter. Plus, your chapter would contribute to the broader impact of shoe drive fundraising: keeping shoes out of landfills and giving them a second life!
10 More Ways to Raise Money for Your FCCLA Chapter
FCCLA chapters have plenty of fundraising options! Depending on your chapter’s goals and available resources, you have the opportunity to mix traditional events with student-led campaigns. Here are a few fun ideas, broken up by fundraising type.
Food & Product-Based FundraisersÂ
- Bake Sale: Do you have talented bakers in your chapter? Consider selling their baked goods during a school or community event!
- Gift Basket Auction: Build themed baskets around FCS-related interests (cooking, family activities, self-care) and then auction them off!
- Custom Chapter Merchandise: Sell FCCLA swag, such as shirts or tote bags.
Event-Based FundraisersÂ
- Family Game Night: Charge admission for a night of family fun! To maximize fundraising potential, consider selling snacks and refreshments, too.
- Talent Show: Host a show where members or community members can showcase their skills. To fundraise, sell tickets and concessions.
- Trivia Night: Charge teams an entry fee and put their knowledge to the test! Ask local businesses to donate prizes for winning teams.
- Community Dinner: Host a themed meal that’s planned, prepared, and then served by FCCLA members. Charge admission to maximize profits.
Creative Fundraisers
- Percentage Night: Partner with a local business or restaurant to earn a percentage of their sales over a set period of time.
- Online Giving Campaign: Broaden your reach! Use social media to explain your chapter’s goal and invite support.
- Life Skills Challenge: Turn FCCLA’s focus on FCS skills into a school-wide competition! Charge an entry fee for student participation and create stations featuring FCS-related challenges.
Make Your Next Fundraiser Count
The best fundraiser for your FCCLA chapter isn’t necessarily the biggest, flashiest, or most popular: it’s the one that aligns with your goals, timeline, member involvement, resources, and community. Set your fundraiser up for success by setting specific, realistic, and relevant goals.
If you’re looking for a 100% free fundraiser that involves zero selling, a Funds2Orgs shoe drive fundraiser is a great option. Collecting gently worn, used and new shoes from your community gives your FCCLA supporters an easy way to participate while helping shoes find a second life through reuse!
Ready to get started? Connect with a Funds2Orgs Fundraising Coach today!
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