For improved fundraising results, take a little time and put together the right type of reward program, one that provides an appropriate level of reward for all participants. A little reward can produce a lot of motivation.

Be sure to set the initial reward level low enough so that at least 50% of your sales force gets a direct reward. Group awards will also stimulate additional sales, but not as much as individual rewards.

Use merchant prizes

Contact your local merchants for better prizes that mean more to your sellers. Work deals for movie passes, merchandise discounts, gift certificates, miniature golf, theater trip for top ten sellers, etc.

Structure rewards fairly

Design your program so that everyone is rewarded proportionately and is incented strongly toward winning one.

Prize preview

Show off what sellers can win for different levels of achievement. Build a "want" or desire in each of your participants to earn one or more of those prizes.

Personal goal

Motivate each salesperson with a self-selected personal goal stated in front of their peer group. Tie a reward to the achievement of that goal.

Recognition

Never underestimate the power of being praised before your peer group for doing a good job. Consider having a group awards ceremony. Award plaques are a nice touch, particularly if you can get them at a discount (remember the influence of your organization in other areas).

Offer valuable rewards

Give awards for success that really have value. Nobody wants junk. Skip trinkets and work with your community to come up with better prizes that don't subtract from your net profit. Example: $5 coupon for a local fun center such as miniature golf, bowling, laser tag, etc.

Progressive rewards

Offer ever-increasing levels of rewards. Allow roll-up combination of rewards into one big one. For instance, a seller might select a basic prize for each level of success or one larger prize for his ultimate success.

Party rewards

Ice cream, pizza, movies, a group trip... All of these and more can be great motivators and increase competition between sub-groups.

Use a wacky reward

Have key organizational figures promise to do something funny is the goal is met. Examples: The coach has to shave his head, the principal has to dance with the school mascot at the pep rally, all the second grade teachers will dress like clowns on Friday, the youth minister will sing off key a chosen song. Ask your sellers for suggestions!

Fun rewards

Offer a Cream Pie Attack party to all sellers reaching a certain level. Equip multiple tables with paper plates full of shaving cream to either attack each other or the coach, the youth minister, the troop leader, etc.

Big customer rewards

On sales from a catalog, consider motivating customers to make bigger buys by giving prizes for the biggest orders. Good coupons always work. Example: free car wash with a $50 order. Obviously, work with a local car wash on this promotion.

Volunteer rewards

Don't forget to reward your volunteers. You want them to come back, don't you? Select an appropriate reward for various levels of participation or at a minimum, do a reward party or luncheon.

Appreciation

Show your appreciation to all facets of your organization and supporter base. Be sure you do fun things that aren't fundraisers. For example: offer discounts on tickets to athletic events, group outings, parties, barbecue night, etc. These fun activities will help build the camaraderie useful for future fundraisers as well as for getting those volunteers to come back again.

Summary

The proper use of an incentive program will definitely maximize your results. Plan well to motivate your participants, encourage repeat business, reward your volunteers, and build your support within the community.

If you want the best results, don't settle for less than the best incentive program. Get your sellers imagining themselves winning awards and collecting rewards. Now that's motivation!

Kimberly Reynolds writes for national publications about non-profit fundraising, having a candy sale fundraiser and charity fundraiser events. Find more church fundraiser ideas on her website, FundraiserHelp.com