Student organizations can choose to host events to raise money for their organization or a charity of their choosing. These events can take a variety of forms and sizes. The size of an event determines how much time you should allow for planning. In all cases, we recommend you allow two to four months to plan a fundraiser. A successfully planned fundraiser can do much more than raise money - it can promote and market your student organization, as well as create pride among existing members. Please see the checklist below to ensure that you are adequately prepared to plan and execute a successful event. Please note that the Student Senate does not fund fundraising.
Please note that any fundraiser that involves the "sale" of people or services (i.e.- date auction or service auction events) are prohibited. Although these events may not be designed to inflict harm, they do use such language and structure consistent with slavery. Such activities may intentionally or unintentionally demean students on our campus, create unsafe situations and are not consistent with UW-Eau Claire institutional values.
Please note that unauthorized card readers for Point of Sale (POS) transactions are strictly prohibited. Student Organizations agree that UW-Eau Claire provides only unmanaged internet connectivity to Student Organizations and that UW-Eau Claire does not warrant this connectivity as appropriate or secure for the processing of payment card transactions. Both parties agree that UW-Eau Claire is not acting as a Payment Card Industry (PCI) service provider for Student Organizations through the provision of said internet connectivity and Student Organizations, as the merchant of record, assume all risk, responsibility, and liability for protecting payment card data as well as for remaining compliant with the PCI Data Security Standard (DSS) and any other relevant industry standards or laws, as applicable.
Recognized Student Organizations and university departments may use Davies Center for fundraising activities. Other organizations and off-campus vendors must be sponsored by a recognized student organization or campus department and have prior approval from the Director of Davies University Center. Student organizations may request a table for their fundraising events by contacting UWEC Event Services to reserve dates/times.
If an organization is sponsoring an outside vendor to sell products or services, vendors shall not be allowed to sell items in competition with any Davies Center contracted vendors, including Blugold Dining, the University Bookstore, and US Bank. In addition, sales of tobacco, alcohol, or items that can be found in Davies Center vending machines are not allowed. For more information about restricted sale items, please contact the University Licensing Manager. Organizations wishing to sell food or beverage should refer to the Food on Campus Policy.
Organizations may not use the University’s tax exemption status for any fundraising efforts. Organizations needing a tax identification number for fundraising purposes may apply through the Internal Revenue Service. Click here for directions. Click here to apply.
Hosting a Bake Sale
Sale of food in Davies Center is restricted to bake sales, which must follow these guidelines:
1. Three dates are available per organization per semester.
2. Food items featured must be homemade and individually wrapped/packaged. The sale of commercially produced food items is not permitted.
3. The reserved fundraising table must display the name of the organization and be staffed at all times by the reserving group. Groups are responsible for maintaining the area.
4. Bake sales by recognized campus organizations may be permitted in other campus locations at the discretion of the building supervisor or administrator. Access to Blugold Accounts as a method of customer payment will not be provided for bake sales.
For more information on reserving a table for a bake sale, contact event services: eventservices@uwec.edu
Sponsoring a Raffle
If your organization is interested in sponsoring a raffle, you must first apply for and receive a raffle license from the State of Wisconsin.
There is a $25 application fee, and the application must be filed 4 to 6 weeks ahead of time. Apply by clicking here.
Silent Auctions
According to the State of Wisconsin Statutes, silent auctions are not raffles or games of chance, so they do not require a license and are considered legal.
Apparel Sales
Prior to designing or selling any apparel it is important to understand the university rules that surround using the Blugold or University logo. Please note any design with the UW-Eau Claire logo or even the words UWEC or the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire must follow the logo and branding guidelines. You can find the full UWEC Brand Guide by clicking here.
Add to this the thoughtfully presented documentation, featuring code highlighting, snippets, class customizer explanation and youve got yourself one powerful value package. Please remember that anything with the UWEC logo or language on it must be appropriate because it represents the University. Consider the following when creating apparel for fundraising purposes:
1. Apparel is best if sold to existing members within a student organization.
2. The apparel should be optional to buy and funds raised by sales should be allocated to a specific event or cause.
3. If you are looking to sell apparel to the general campus community, be sure to take into account the overhead costs of designing and creating apparel for such a large population.
Fundraising with Local Restaurants
Some student organizations hold fundraisers at local restaurants where the organization receives a designated percentage of the sales. Please note the following when considering such a fundraiser:
1. Overhead costs to organize such a fundraiser are not funded by Student Senate.
2. Some restaurants require that student organization members assist on site during the fundraiser.
3. In order to fundraise at some local restaurants a tax ID number is required, please check with your organization advisor or the bank for assistance with this process.
4. Some of the more popular options for restaurant fundraisers include: Buffalo Wild Wings, Raise Funds, Culvers, Chipotle, Burrachos, Inspire Nutrition, FitLab, & the Festival Foods Brat Barn.
Online Crowdfunding
Online crowdfunding is raising money by getting small donations from a large number of people. This fundraising tactic often uses online sites and social media such as Go Fund Me, etc. Please note the following when considering crowdfunding for your student organization:
1.This method is usually used to fund a large trip, program, project or purchase.
2. The most effective way to crowdfund is to have each member individually reach out to their family and friends for donations.
3. This method is especially effective with the increasing use of social media. Consider that millennials check their phones an average of 43 times per day. This means your fundraising will be sure to catch the attention of your friends and family.
Examples of websites that support crowdfunding include:
Philanthropic Events
Philanthropic events are held by student organizations and usually do not require admission but donations for a charity are normally collected. Please consider the following when planning a philanthropic event:
1. It is best if a fundraising event is related to your student organization's mission or cause. One good example of this is the Pride organization co-hosting the Fireball Drag Show or the Dance Team co-hosting the Eau Claire Dancing with the Stars.
2. Remember you can always use other fundraising methods such as vendor tabling to get the word out on campus about your event but don't forget the number one way to market on college campuses is word of mouth.
