Tips On Choosing A Fund Raising Company

1. How long has the company and its representatives been in business?
   Your potential company should have a track record. An experienced representative can be a valuable helpmate to you.
2. What value-added services does the company offer and how much does it cost?
   A company which supplies you with documentation to efficiently run your fund raiser is invaluable to you as the chairperson. What kind of prizes do they have and how much do prizes cost you if you want to use them? Are brochures available and what do they charge for their brochures?
3. How does the company address the question of state sales and use tax?
   If they know the answers to this question, it shows you they have spent the time, money and effort to know their business. A professional fund raising company will be familiar with the sales and use tax in your state.
4. How responsive will the company be should problems arise?
   It doesn’t matter how conscientious your company might be, problems can arise. If they do, make sure that the company is willing to take responsibility to fix these problems in a timely manner.
5. Ask for and check out references.
   Is this company a member of a professional trade group? If they have accomplished fund raising in your community, who did they work with, were they satisfied, did they deliver on their promises? If this company has not done any fund raising in your community, find out why. If you are satisfied with their answer, ask them for references in a community in which they have accomplished successful fund raising projects.
6. How does this company feel about your sellers doing door-to-door selling?
   If their policy is not to warn your sellers not to go door-to-door, you should stop right there and not do business with that company! Children should not do door-to-door solicitations.