S.Q. asks from Oak Park, IL on June 22, 2009
Fundraising Ideas Needed!!
I am in charge of fundraising for a not-for-profit school next year with a fairly sizable goal.
The economy is (of course!) our biggest hurdle this year. I don't want to SELL anything to parents that they could buy for much less in a regular shop. We don't want parents to send their kids out to sell that stuff to neighbors or relatives. Community building and respect for the Earth are also important.
So, I am looking for your FAVORITE fundraisers that you have done with your schools! Sock-hops, on-line auctions, talent shows, concerts, Fun Fairs, or Whatever-a-Thons that do not involve direct selling of mass-produced items. I am open to the idea of a book fair, toy fair, or Go-Green type items that would actually benefit the Earth. I love Usborne books and they donate 50% back to the school, so I think that may be a go.
If you could steer me in the right direction, I can take it from there. But, I would also love any recommendations for companies or individuals that you think did a super job for you. We are looking to book a local musician for a concert, so if you have a favorite, let me know, too, and we will put them to work!
If we do choose to sell something to parents, we would need a 40% margin, if that helps in narrowing down options. Also, we love the idea of supporting local vendors or fair-trade options.
THANK YOU in advance, my wise MamaSource friends!
1 mom found this helpful
More Answers
M.C. answers from Chicago on June 24, 2009
This is what our preschool did this year:
We contacted a children's theater group, and they performed in our auditorium. I think they charged about $1-$2 more per ticket, and the school got the upcharge. Before and after the performance, donated items and services were on display for a silent auction. There were gift certificates from local independent restaurants, jewelry, sports memorabilia, theater tickets, interior decorators and home organizational experts. Some more unique items up for bid included a teacher taking a child to an afternoon of pottery painting, and each classroom asked parents to donate a large art canvas. Each class did an art project (up to the teacher and parent volunteer) and raffle tickets were sold for $5 each. It was a lot of fun, and we ended up winning the canvas from my daughter's class. It was a lot of fun. Hope that gives you some ideas. Good luck!
1 mom found this helpful
M.W. answers from Chicago on June 22, 2009
A quick and easy one I like is selling gift cards, sometimes known as scrip. (Purchasers pay face value and use like cash, but school buys them at a discount, which varies by merchant.) You can do monthly orders, around holidays, or maintain an inventory. Use to buy groceries, gas, etc. One vendor is http://www.mannagroup.net/
1 mom found this helpful
S.M. answers from Chicago on June 22, 2009
I have never done a fundraiser for a school, but I work in the fundraising field and have done several for my theatre company. You might check on restaurants in the area which might be willing to give you 10% of the business for a special evening benefiting the school. Somewhere attractive to families, but not a chain. You can incorporate a 50/50 raffle to any event, meaning that people buy tickets and 50% of the proceeds go to the school and 50% go back to the winner. Be warned that events are very time consuming and often cost more than they are worth, but people really like them. A raffle might be fun too - you never know what your local businesses will donate just for the free ad space, even in this economy. But if you do a raffle you will need a license, which you can get from the city. As a kid I remember doing dance a thons - that was fun!
Good Luck~
1 mom found this helpful
Email
facebook
twitter
StumbleUpon
digg it
kirtsy
Technorati
reddit
del.icio.us
blinklist
simpy
