It’s almost time for another FBLA conference and you and your chapter are getting excited! You have been preparing your events and getting ready to listen to great keynote speakers. Your bags are packed and ready to go! Everything is set for a perfect week, until you realize... you still need to pay your conference fee.

Has this ever happened to you? We all know how quickly school fees can add up. $40 ASB fee, $100 yearbook, $150 textbooks, the costs never seem to end! I have personally fallen into the struggle of not knowing how I could possibly stay active in school activities due to financial struggles. The best piece of advice I could give anyone in this situation is this: you are not in this alone! Fundraisers can be a fun and effective way to raise money for any FBLA related cost. Here are a few of my favorite tips!

Know Your Community

Often, local businesses are eager to donate to FBLA chapters. If you haven’t already, go introduce yourself to 5, 10, 15 businesses in your community! Forming relationships with businesses can create lasting connections that are mutually beneficial.

IDEA: My chapter partnered with our local Chamber of Commerce to host an FBLA dinner, with all the proceeds going to support our trip to nationals!

Offer a Service

Just like a job, people will pay for services that are convenient to them. Think about things that you don’t like doing by yourself. What would YOU pay someone else to do? Find a need and fill it!

IDEA: Hold a car wash in your community. You can sell tickets for $10 each and split the revenue with your chapter!

Don’t Skip Advertising

Your ideas can only go so far. If no one knows what you are doing, how can they help? Use social media, posters, and other forms of advertising to let people know what is going on!

IDEA: Check out the FBLA General Fundraising Guide! (http://wafbla.org/Websites/washingtonfbla/images/CFP%20General%20Fundraising%20Guide%20Final.pdf)

Last, but not least, if you have any questions about fundraising, please feel free to reach out to your state officers. You can email me at president@wafbla.org. Together, we can all put the “fun” back in fundraising!