Fundraisers are stressful, overwhelming, and time consuming. They are also a great way to raise funds for your group. Planning what type of fundraiser to do takes imagination and assistance from all group members. One of the best fundraisers is a bake sale. Here are the reasons a bake sale is such a great choice:

• It's cheap - bake goods are donated so it does not cost much to hold the sale. You may also be able to get drinks donated as well as paper goods from local grocery stores.
• It doesn't require much space. Because the baked goods are donated, they are prepared before arriving for the sale. All you need is a table set up to display the many wonderful goodies.
• Everyone can be involved. Every member of the group can be involved in planning and executing a bake sale fundraisers. From making the goodies, to decorating the goodies, to decorating the tables, to selling the products everyone has a job. Even the youngest can help decorate signs or encourage sales.

There are a few things that you will need to do to ensure a sucessful bake sale fundraiser. Here are some things that need to happen to make the sale a sucess:

1. Pick a great day. Chose a day that is more likely to attract more people. Whether it is on the same day and in the same area as a big community event or just a regular weekend. Choosing a holiday weekend may not be the best choice as many people may be out of town. However, if your community has a large celebration, it may be the perfect time.
2. Assign everyone a task. Involving every person by assigning them tasks will assist in making sure that everyone feels involved and needed. It also ensures that everything is taken care of and no details are missed.
3. Advertise. Without proper advertisement, your sale will not be as sucessful. Advertise as much as possible for at least a week or two before the sale. Post flyers around town and as the newspaper to write a little column about it and why it is so important to raise money for your organization.
4. Keep everyone involved up to date. If there are changes make sure everyone knows and understands. Also keep track of everyone's assignments and that they are getting completed.
5. Set up early. If you advertise that you are having a bake sale at 10am, be set up by 9:45am. If you are late, you will lose customers - so lost donations.
6. Have extra cash and change in case you need to make change for someone. While it would be great if everyone did not worry about getting change back - afterall this is a fundraiser, it doesn't work that well. There are always people that will need you to make change.
7. Show off products nicely. Having everything just thrown on a table is not pleasing to the eye and may not get as many sales as possible. Set up small boxes or other pedastal type objects to display some of the better desserts. Having different heights is pleasing to the eye and when it looks good, it sells.
8. Keep all money close to you. Never walk away from your money. Sadly, not everyone is honest and if you leave the money unattended even for a second, you could lose it all.

After you have had a sucessful fundraiser, evaluate what went well and what didn't. Discuss how you would do things differently if you had to do another next month. By doing so, it will give you a better idea of how to plan the next one. Don't forget to thank everyone involved. Thank everyone that baked the products, helped advertise, helped set up, donated other products, and any other help you received. Finally, enjoy the fruits of your labor.