Fundraising campaigns: unexpected benefits

Emmanuelle Bertrand | Journalist

Your child's school is organizing yet another fundraising campaign. You're tempted to buy up all of the chocolate bars so your kid doesn't have to sell them—but what if you considered this an educational opportunity?

According to Christian Bolduc, Partner, President and CEO of BNP Philanthropic Performance, fundraising campaigns are increasingly commonplace. “Young people want to go on that big school trip and, since certain government exchange programs have been cut, those trips need to be self-funded. And schools are also asking parents for help to offset the cost of playground renovations or new equipment, which the government used to cover,” he says.

Since fundraising campaigns aren't going anywhere, why not turn them into a positive experience.

Developing skills

Fundraising initiatives give your child a golden opportunity to stretch themselves and develop important social skills.

  • They're pushed out of their comfort zone
  • They learn selling and presentation skills, stress management and leadership
  • They learn to make decisions, and become more independent and responsible
  • They develop their creativity
  • They learn to handle money and become more aware of its value

These skills will serve your child well throughout their life, as they encounter various personal and professional situations.

Strengthen your relationship

Helping your child prepare their sales approach gives you a chance to build your relationship with them and get to know them even better. Bolduc suggests that you talk to your child to make sure they really understand the goal of the fundraising and find out what they think. By presenting it as an educational initiative, it becomes easier to approach the matter in a spirit of fun.

It's also an opportunity to do some role-playing so you can test out their approach, get them to practice their pitch and prepare them for inevitable objections. You might be surprised to discover their entrepreneurial qualities! And if not, it will still be an opportunity for them to develop important skills and stretch themselves.

Getting involved in a social initiative

“Participating in a fundraising campaign is, first and foremost, about participating in a shared project,” says Bolduc. Since it's part of the school process, so to speak, parents who get involved alongside their child, are investing in their education and advancing a social cause. Essentially, when you feel positively about the project, you'll encourage your child to invest in it and prepare them to make an active contribution to the society of the future.

You can also read: The entrepreneurial streak: nature or nurture?

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