Fundraising for schools is normally done by the parent groups/volunteers groups, the Booster Club, or other community groups/organizations partnered with the school. The group that is doing the fundraising needs to meet and discuss what the fundraiser is needed for and how much money needs to be raised. More often than not, the what and how much is needed, will dictate the type of fundraiser required. Then you will need to decide whether to go with the tried and true product sales approach or to look for new school fundraising ideas, which can be found by surfing the internet.
If you're particular group has used a successful fundraiser in the past then stay with the fundraising company that has provided you with quality products and good service.
To insure a successful fundraiser you need to keep the following four steps upper- most in your mind:
- What is the fundraiser for?
- How much money is needed?
- Fundraising is a serious business
- A well-organized fundraiser with timely delivery and accurate receipts builds loyalty and reply from sponsors/participants in/for your future fundraisers
There are, of course, numerous fundraisers available. Written below are just a few ideas for raising needed funds. (The best time to have a successful fundraiser is around one month after school has started. This is when parents are more apt to participate and school spirit is high.)
Product Sales:
This can be done with brochures, catalogs, or student/parent salesmanship (i.e. candies, gift wrap, fruit, candles, school spirit, frozen food, specialty items, spring bulbs or flower/vegetable seeds, cookbooks, Avon, Tupperware, and seasonal items as well.
Bake Sale:
These can be held throughout the year at Parent/Teacher Conferences, School Open House, Sports events, art/music festivals, and any other school event that is planned through the year.
Pancake Breakfast:
and/or Spaghetti Dinner: Either one of these can held at the school with parent/teacher cooks/servers, or with the cooperation of a local restaurant/business.
Car Wash:
This too can be held at the school or with cooperation/sponsorship of a local business.
Bingo:
These games can be held on a weekly basis or monthly basis with teacher/administration number callers and parent servers/card sellers. Food and beverages can also be sold at these games.
Art Raffle:
Student and/or parent art work can displayed and auctioned off at the school with an auction party or in conjunction with a school event. Other raffles can be held by obtaining donated items/articles area businesses or from individual donors wishing to participate.
Children's Artwork T-Shirts:
Artwork done by children can be silk-screened, embroidered, or otherwise applied on to t-shirts and sold.
Chinese or Silent Auction:
Either of these requires the cooperation/participation/sponsorship of many area businesses and other community organizations. Donations/articles/items need to be displayed on tables with vehicles to place ticket s in after purchased by attendees. Personal contact with donors will often provide a better donation than just sending a letter.
Craft Fair:
A table and space can be sold to crafters in your area who wish to sell their particular wares.
These are just a few of the fundraisers available. There are a number of books about fundraisers and numerous other ideas on the internet as well.
