Hudson Valley Region’s Regional Gizborim, Liv and Daniel, collaborated with the 7th International Gizborim, Joaco and Alexandra, to create an exciting and impactful training session to equip chapter counterparts with the skills to execute successful fundraisers and overcome challenges. This session, filled with creative exercises and practical insights, was a crucial step in ensuring chapters not only meet their fundraising goals but also understand the deeper purpose behind their efforts.

Fundraising is an integral part of how our Order operates—it sustains our programs, provides a secure foundation for our chapters, and allows us to give back to the communities and causes we care about. BBYO prioritizes four main areas for fundraising: ensuring accessibility to our programs, covering event costs, enhancing experiences, and strengthening community bonds. A successful fundraiser brings excitement and unity, even if it’s not in person.

Tips for Successful Fundraising:

• Set realistic goals and break them down by chapter and event.
• Promote best practices and involve committees in planning.
• Budget!
• Plan a strong program that people want to attend.
• Follow up with thank-you notes and evaluate the process for next time.
• Don’t forget to have fun!

Starting with the Basics

The training kicked off with introductions from Liv and Daniel, who emphasized the importance of fundraising for both individual chapters and the region as a whole. Liv highlighted the necessity of strong fundraising to keep BBYO programs accessible to all teens, regardless of financial barriers. Daniel, the Regional Gizbor, elaborated on how fundraising enables chapters to organize meaningful events and purchase necessary supplies, which help strengthen the sense of community within BBYO.

Liv explained that fundraising is not just about money, but about ensuring that BBYO remains a place where teens can connect, grow, and experience Judaism. With these foundations in place, the training transitioned into interactive activities, giving participants hands-on experience.

Activity One: Fundraising Pitch Competition

The first activity split participants into small teams based on their chapter locations. Each team had to come up with a fundraising idea, create a flyer, and pitch their concept to the group. The goal was to create an engaging, fun event that would appeal to a wide audience.

Teams worked quickly to craft their ideas, and by the end of the activity, the brainstorming session had sparked fresh creativity and energy. Ideas ranged from running competitions to creating burr baskets, with each team incorporating unique themes and targets.

Activity Two: Crisis Management Simulation

After the pitch presentations, Liv and Daniel introduced a fun and challenging twist: crisis scenarios. They emphasized the importance of adaptability when fundraising events don’t go as planned. For instance, one group had to respond to the challenge of their supplies not arriving on time.

With only 15 minutes to strategize, teams had to pivot and figure out how to keep the fundraiser going, either by finding a new location or switching to an online event. The goal was to stress that successful fundraisers require flexibility and quick thinking.

Presentations and Judging

Once the crisis management portion wrapped up, teams reconvened to present their revised fundraiser strategies, showcasing how they adapted to the sudden changes. Though the training was fun and engaging, it wasn’t just about coming up with cool ideas. Liv and Daniel emphasized that these fundraiser concepts should become a reality.

"Now that you’ve worked on these ideas, it’s time to bring them to life," Liv said. "Work with your board to figure out the logistics—location, date, staff, supplies—and once you have that, talk to us so we can help you make it happen." They stressed that fundraising is crucial to making events fun and affordable.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

“Fundraisers are a vital part of BBYO—both for the community and for making experiences accessible to all teens,” Alexandra said. "Whether it’s a small event or a big campaign, your efforts will help make BBYO a place for all teens to thrive." Joaco encouraged everyone to get creative with their fundraising ideas. “From hosting a basketball tournament to putting together a talent show, there’s no limit to what you can do to raise money.”

In closing, Liv emphasized the importance of turning ideas into action. “We want to see these fundraisers happen. You all have the potential to make a real impact.”

Next Steps: From Training to Action

As the training concluded, participants were encouraged to take what they’d learned and start planning. Liv and Daniel in training their chapter counterparts helped ensure they made fundraising as tangible as possible.

The ultimate goal was clear: to make fundraising a fun, creative, and impactful part of the BBYO experience. Thanks to the efforts of Hudson Valley’s Regional Gizborim, chapters are now better equipped to turn their fundraising goals into successful, community-building events. We can’t wait to see these events come to life!