Fundraising and Sales

The purpose of this policy is to provide a setting in which students and staff at the college can be reasonably free of un-requested solicitation of funds or services, and sales and activities.

This policy is designed to be of assistance to organizations considering a fundraiser, sale or other type of solicitation. This policy applies to athletic teams, clubs, academic departments, societies and all other recognized organizations on campus. Organizations that are not officially recognized cannot conduct fundraisers, sales or other type of solicitation.

Raising funds is a difficult business and requires a good working knowledge of our campus and community policies. The spirit of fund raising should always be low pressure and congenial and must be consistent with the policies of Concordia College.

Relating to Fund-raisers:

  1. All organizations must complete an application with Student Leadership and Service before engaging in
    fundraisers.
  2. The fundraiser must comply with existing campus policies, i.e., promotions policy.
  3. The fundraiser must provide "significant benefit" (see definition below) to the sponsoring organization or department.
  4. The sponsoring organization must be active participants (see definition below) in the fundraiser.
  5. The sponsoring organization must secure two letters of reference from the fundraiser if an outside vendor is involved.
  6. A complete written accounting of the activity must be available to the Student Leadership and Service and the faculty adviser after completion of the fund-raiser.
  7. Door-to-door fund-raisers are not permitted or selling in classrooms during class is not allowed.
  8. Fund-raisers are not allowed in the public areas of residence halls unless authorized by the Director of Residence Life.

Significant benefit: An area of concern is net profit, because it has direct influence on the success of the fundraiser to the organization. One should expect the revenue to the organization to range between 25-50 percent of gross profit (total sales less cost of goods) or 15-20 percent of total sales (not considering cost of goods) depending on the item being sold. If the revenue is much lower than these percentages the volume needed to make a desired amount of money increases dramatically. If it is higher, the item will be overpriced and not purchased by the public.

Active participation: If the fundraiser involves an outside vendor, at least one member of the sponsoring organization should be present during the time the vendor is selling.

Relating to Other Types of Solicitation:

Unapproved solicitation of funds or services, distribution of materials or sales by any off-campus business interest, organization, group or individual on campus is prohibited. Exceptions are made by Student Leadership and Service. Exceptions may be granted when:

  1. The business interest, organization, group or individual will be invited or sponsored by a recognized campus organization or college official, and
  2. The distribution of materials, solicitation or sale does not run contrary to, but rather promotes the mission of the college or the well-being of members of the college, local, national and international community, or
  3. Political candidates or their official representatives wish to canvass the campus.

Information For:

current students
faculty and staff		 parents
alumni		 high school students
admitted students