Coordinators, have you ever wondered, "Is there a more efficient way to run my RaiseRight program?"
If you want to simplify your processes, reduce manual tasks, and ensure your RaiseRight program continues to thrive for years to come, there are plenty of practical steps you can take to get there.
Today, we’re chatting with Emily Ploeg, our Senior Director of Operations and Customer Service, about how coordinators can make their fundraising programs easier to manage with fewer responsibilities for a more hands-off approach.
Emily, one of our longest-tenured employees, has been with RaiseRight since 2012 and knows exactly what it takes to run a successful program.
Q: Let's start with some quick-win tips. Can coordinators do anything immediately to simplify program management?
A: My first recommendation is that coordinators turn off the "pay by check" or "pay to coordinator" options to avoid manually tracking and collecting payments.
Also, consider turning off "ship to coordinator" if that's feasible for your program. If families can order gift cards for direct shipment to their home, you'll save time with sorting and distributing orders.
Overall, using our mobile app and eGift cards is your best bet. Participants who can use RaiseRight digitally, on their own, will take a lot off your plate.
Q: What would you suggest for programs that need to keep their ship-to-coordinator option open?
A: If you still need to use "ship to coordinator", consider re-evaluating your ordering schedule or changing the frequency of your orders.
Yes, more orders equal more shipping costs, but this is still more cost-effective in the long run than sitting on an inventory of unsold gift cards. We occasionally run free shipping promotions for coordinators, so keep an eye out and take advantage of those!
Q: What advice can coordinators share with participants to keep things running smoothly?
A: Aside from using the mobile app and eGift cards more often, you can encourage families to use reloadable gift cards, especially for things like groceries and gas. Reloadable cards mean less work and fewer orders for you to manage, and they help newer families pick up the RaiseRight habit faster.
And again, I'd push for "ship to home" so participants don't have to wait for you to place a group order. The more self-sufficient your participants are, the less hands-on work you have.
Q: Some coordinators still take orders on paper, or have inherited a program that relies on paper. What changes can they make to lighten the load?
A: Consider phasing out the paper order forms if you can. If you still want to use order forms, you can try updating the process with a tool like Google Forms.
I'd actually suggest using our Invite Friends & Family tool to help you move away from the paper process. It helps you and your participants bring others into the program, and you can track who’s ordering and earning.
Q: Would you recommend other software programs or tools to ease program management?
A: The RaiseRight dashboard and reporting tools should be able to handle almost everything you need. You might still want to use something like QuickBooks for accounting, but there’s no need to overcomplicate things. Since RaiseRight has no integrations, you can use whatever accounting software works best for you.
Q: For coordinators truly looking to refresh and modernize their program, what’s the best next step?
A: A hybrid-style program is the way to go. Push participants to buy eGift cards on the app or website, and for those who prefer physical cards, just keep the "ship-to-home" option on.
Coordinators should try to reduce or even eliminate carrying inventory. When you don't have any inventory to handle, your program will be much more manageable, and you won't have to deal with upfront costs, either.
If you do want to keep physical cards around, just stick to your top-sellers or keep certain brands on hand for the participants who can't use the app or website.
Wrap-up tip from Emily
"We recently launched multiple new products and features that make earning with RaiseRight easier than ever.Introduce families to our browser extension or local dining earnings. Or point them to our resources—we have so many helpful materials.
Most importantly, encourage families to use the RaiseRight app and buy eGift cards. There are so many benefits of using eGift cards that are hard to ignore: instant delivery, lower risk, added convenience."
For more guidance on how to optimize your RaiseRight program, check these out:
