Involving youths in fundraising for your group or cause can provide valuable "real world" experience for teens, the Fundsraiser Cyberzine reported in its May 2006 issue.

Chad Foster, author of Teenagers Preparing for the Real World, said fundraising can teach teens "soft skills" like teamwork, the importance of being on time, and how to shake someone's hand, look someone in the eye while speaking to them, and how to start a conversation. Fundraising also can teach youths the art of persuasion, how to handle rejection, and how to deal with difficult people, he said.

Other benefits of fundraising experience are learning how to set goals, handle money, and deliver good customer service. Fundraising for a nonprofit group also can be a great resume-builder, said Foster.