Sorority Fund-raising Ideas

As you’ve probably been told several times by your advisers, alumnae or big sisters, there is a whole lot more to being in a sorority than partying and wearing your paraphernalia on campus. You have a responsibility to your sorority and your community as a whole to raise funds to help people in need, pay for sorority trip, and build up your chapter’s bank account. Don’t wait to be asked—be proactive about brainstorming innovative fund-raising ideas.

Back to School Supplies

If you sell what they need, they will come. At the beginning of the college year, students (especially freshmen) might be scrambling to gather back-to-school supplies, including notebooks, pens, highlighters, binders, portfolios, folders, paper clips and calculators. Save them the trip to the school bookstore or pharmacy by setting up a table at your student union to sell back-to-school packages that include all of these items. Charge a modest markup of about 10 percent to 25 percent to make a profit; there is a good chance that the convenience of having everything in one place will persuade the students to buy the supply package from you rather than running around to various locations. Organize a price list so that you can offer a la carte choices. Find everything you need at dollar stores, office supply stores, online,and look for bulk discounts at wholesale clubs such as Sams Club, Costco or BJs. Make sure you set up your selling table neatly and professionally with banners and paraphernalia related to your sorority.

Tutoring Session

If a good portion of your sisters are top-rate students, hold a group tutoring session once or twice a month. Each sister will offer tutoring on all subjects that she is familiar with for $10 to $15 per hour. Students can bring a homework assignment from the class or a specific question. All of the proceeds will go to the chapter or a community service objective.

Dorm Room Design

Keeping with the theme of giving students what they need, you can offer dorm room interior design services to incoming students. If one of your sisters has a special knack for home decorating, make her the project lead. Charge a flat rate, no more than about $100 to $200 to decorate the student’s room on a budget with specially chosen rugs, curtains, and small, inexpensive pieces of dorm furniture. Find a discount store where you can buy items for a good deal or shop online. Prepare a small catalog for each student to choose what he likes or you can just ask about the student’s general style (such as favorite colors) and ask him to trust your judgment.