Middle School Fundraising is probably the most difficult of any school fundraising age.

Participation levels decrease tremendously from the levels seen with elementary school fundraisers. During the middle school years, parent involvement also decreases which may be one of the reasons that participation in general also slows down.

Part of the issue is also age-related. Students are old enough to be individuals but have not completely gravitated to their specific sports or hobbies as they will do in high school where fundraising becomes successful and easier once again.

So how do you go about meeting your fundraising goals with a middle school group?

Let’s talk about 3 things that are sure to make middle school fundraising much much easier.

#1 – Choose a Fundraiser Middle Schoolers Can Relate To

First and foremost you should make sure the students benefit directly from the fundraiser. Students at this age will sell a lot if they know they will get some benefit or result from their efforts. But the benefit needs to be of interest to them. They might not work as hard to purchase a computer for the library as they will to offset the cost for a field trip for example.

Choose a middle school fundraiser they understand and believe in. If you can find a product or program the students really like they will be more likely to work hard at it.

Make sure you keep the students aware of the campaign well in advance of the actual middle school fundraising. Then remind them about the fundraiser as often as possible while the fundraiser is going on. Do not depend on them to remember or even think about the fundraiser. You need to keep reminding them and encouraging them.

#2 Make Sure You Are Raising Money for Something the Kids Want

That quote is applicable to everyone—- including Middle School Students.

The lesson and moral of the story is that you should not expect your students to work very hard at anything that they really don’t want.

That means you need to really make sure that you don’t waste your time asking the kids to participate in anything that doesn’t directly benefit them. And not just in your opinion. The students need to feel it.

I can tell you from experience that even middle schoolers will go above and beyond when their hearts believe in something.

So before you start thinking about a middle school fundraiser first make sure you have a legit reason for the fundraiser in the first place.

#3 Have a Meeting Where You Clearly Detail Your Game Plan

The one thing we’ve learned about dealing with middle school kids is that you want to be perfectly clear about what you are saying and what your expectations are.

So we suggest you hold a meeting prior to starting your fundraiser where you clearly talk about:

1. What you are raising money for. Remember this is the most important thing in your students’ minds. At this age more than ever it’s all about them. So make the beginning of your meeting all about them. Be very clear what the money will be used for and how they personally will enjoy the end result of the fundraiser. Bring photos if possible.

2. Talk about goals. Let them know what you expect each student to do. Make the goal extremely clear in not only dollar terms but in effort and function. Leave no room for interpretation. If possible lay our everything each student needs to do in order for them to meet your expectations.

3. Discuss a schedule. Let them know when they need to do each thing you expect them to get done.

4. Plan one or more follow up meetings that are identified in your first meeting. That way the kids know you will be keeping on top of progress and in turn will keep them informed on how they are doing as a group to meet your fundraising needs.

Middle school fundraising does not need to be more difficult than any other school fundraiser.

The problem historically is that lots of middle schools do little planning and give even less thought about sharing the fundraising vision with their students.

We believe you can raise as much as your school needs by following the above instructions.