School fundraising is a task that often falls to volunteer parent groups. If you are new to fundraising for your child's school, or an experienced parent group fundraiser, you will need to decide whether to go with the tried and true product sales approach or to look for new school fundraising ideas. Here are some tips from parents for successful school fundraising:
- If your group has used a fundraising method successfully in the past, don't reinvent the wheel. Stick with a fundraising company that has provided you with high quality products and good service.
- If your group is taking on a new project, you are raising funds for the first time, or you just want to do something different, do your research online for advice and ideas for successful fundraising.
- If you use a sales approach to fundraising, stick with high quality, well known products.
- Be organized. A well-organized school fundraiser with prompt delivery and accurate records builds loyalty and response from patrons in the future.
Get professional advice for your school fundraising from this section of PTO Today.
Fundraising with Product Sales
School Spirit Products
Find new products and the tried and true in school spirit products for fundraising..
Fundraising with Kids' Art Work
Several companies offer products personalized with children's art work.
Thinkbin Family Calendars
Nice looking family calendars that are geared to busy schudules. Refrigerator and tote bag sizes.
Van Bourgondien's Fundraising Flower Bulbs
This respected garden company has a Fall fundraising program with their beautiful Spring bulbs.
See's Candies Fundraising
When it comes to chocolate candy sales, go for the best.
Morris Press Fundraising Cookbooks[/link]
This company had the prettiest cookbooks I found. Choose hard cover, soft cover, or 3-ring, and get cover lamination free for a more professional and long-lasting book.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
Krispy Kreme has three fundraising programs for schools and non-profits - traditional doughnut sales, certificates, and partnership cards.
Carnivals and Fairs for School Fundraising
My memories of elementary school include school carnivals, where everyone's favorite game was the Cakewalk. If you are responsible for a carnival booth, find ideas and illustrations to get you started from these church carnival games. Get carnival supplies at Toy Depot and prizes at Oriental Trading Company.
Sporting events are another active fundraising idea. Check with your country club or youth sports facility to arrange a parent-child event. Cheerleaders can find some cute fundraising ideas, too.
SchoolCarnivals.com
Start at this complete site for game ideas and supplier links to hold a fundraising school carnival.
Superthons
Take the collection hassles out of a student walk/jogathon with this company.
Parent's Guide to Scholastic Book Fairs
Your school would surely appreciate the parent group's help with this fun project.
Do you shop online? Many parents in your school probably do too. Check out the new online Purchase Programs and offline Scrip Programs that earn money for your kid's school.
