Until recently, fundraising at Cankdeska Cikana Community College (CCCC, Fort Totten, ND) was limited to an occasional special project. With budget cuts happening throughout the college, faculty and students have taken it upon ourselves to raise funds instead of requesting money from the college’s general fund.

In November 2011, the CCCC Retention Team took the lead. Each week, our team asks a professional from within the community to speak to a small group of students. Speakers are usually given small gifts. During planning sessions, team members expressed an interest in soliciting speakers for larger events. The team then decided to raise money and keep a $200 balance in its coffers.

The team decided on two events: a 50/50 raffle drawing and a Thanksgiving basket drawing. The 50/50 event involved selling tickets to individuals. The winner of the drawing received half of the money collected and the rest was deposited into the fundraising account. For the Thanksgiving basket, two of the local grocery stores donated gift certificates that could be used for buying a turkey. The other items needed for a complete meal were donated by the team. Tickets were sold for the basket drawing. Altogether the team raised $700.

Another fundraising opportunity presented itself as the spring AIHEC conference approached. A call for silent auction donations went out to staff and students. Some of the items came from the carpentry department. Instructor Louie Garcia points out that people always want bookcases, desks, and display cases. Donating also gets staff and students involved. “It trains individuals in the process of raising funds that they can use for other goals,” he says. “Each department has the opportunity to do a service or make an item that is congruent with their area of study.”

COOKING UP SOME FUN(DS). Heather Lawrence, CCCC’S Outreach Coordinator, is also an advisor for student government. Chair of the recruitment team and one of the lead supporters for getting students to AIHEC, she says she doesn’t like to cook at home, but tackles the bingo lunch challenges of cooking.

The library donated books, the technology department donated renovated computers, employees with personal vending businesses donated items, the art department donated Native American chokers and a painting, and a local quilt store donated a quilt for a raffle.

Those who bought tickets or made bids were very generous, and when the silent auction brought in close to $200, an account was opened for the AIHEC fund.

But we were still a long way from sending students to the conference. We learned that trips to the AIHEC student conference can cost $35,000 or more, depending on how many students participate.

Relatively new to AIHEC, many of those participating didn’t realize that several grant programs—including Natural Resources (U.S. Department of Agriculture Land Grant), Pre- Engineering Education Collaborative (a National Science Foundation and Engineering Directorate-funded program), and Student Support Services (TRIO)—will cover much of the cost. But thinking it was an enormous and nearly impossible goal to reach did not make anyone back down. Student and faculty organizers just worked all the harder.

The AIHEC Committee decided to hold a benefit lunch and bingo game each week. CCCC President Cynthia Lindquist was very supportive and granted us permission to use the college cafeteria. Each week we made a meal and played a 50/50 bingo. After expenses, the profit ran $300 a week. Food orders even came in from community members, and volunteers delivered the meals. “We found that our food sales worked and most of the time people looked forward to what we served,” says Melody Volk, graphic design instructor and public relations team leader. “We also learned what food was not a hit. It was hard work to come up with the menu each week and also to figure out how much food to make.” For example, the week we made chili, we only broke even and didn’t make money from food sales. We froze the leftover pot of chili and served it the following week as chili dogs.

“The food sales and silent auctions were successful, but the big hit was the 50/50 bingo,” says Volk. On bingo day, students and instructors filled the lunch room. Students hoping to attend the AIHEC conference were required to participate in fundraising activities; they usually helped out with selling cards and cleaning up afterwards.

CCCC student government officers also supported the fundraisers for AIHEC, donating baked goods for a Valentine’s Day sale and selling popcorn and root beer floats. Whenever we had tickets to sell, student government took the lead.

When a call went out to all students and staff for help, I would like to say everyone jumped on board, but that isn’t what happened. It is true that a few did the work of many, but whenever it seemed like the goal was too high, something would spur us on. “The challenge is getting the students to get involved,” says Volk. “In time, I think it will increase school spirit. Right now we have to show the students that the staff and faculty are just as dedicated.”

In just a couple of months, the AIHEC fundraisers were able to raise over $4,300. After grant programs picked up allowable expenses, we had only four to five students who were not covered. In the end, we raised enough money to sponsor them and leave about $100 in the pot to start next year’s fundraising.

“The employees or team members that do participate, do an excellent job and really care about student success here at the college,” says advisor Evie McDonald. “I think that if it weren’t for our students, we wouldn’t have jobs in the first place, therefore we should be taking on challenges such as raising funds the best way we can.”

Since the spirit of raising money has caught on, other teams and groups have come forward and expressed an interest in following the example. The AIHEC Committee decided to keep the weekly bingo game, but let different groups participate and benefit.

Those who took the lead in the fundraising efforts learned many valuable lessons for future projects. First and foremost, we all agreed that AIHEC fundraising should start earlier.

We also need to keep our ideas fresh and try new things. One volunteer, Terri Harding, suggested that what works initially may not always work. “Variety and a larger body of participants seems to be to be a critical component to consider when planning fundraisers – along with advertising!” she says. Lastly, keeping efforts lively and enjoyable will help take the “d” out of fundraising.

Barbara Bolton Rohrich teaches English at Cankdeska Cikana Community College in Fort Totten, ND.