Elementary School Carnival Ideas

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

How To: Sprinkler Blowout Fundraiser


This isn't for everyone but it may just be for you and your fundraising group.  Offering a sprinkler blowout fundraiser!  Here's how to do it:

Sprinkler Blowout Fundraiser

Difficulty: Hard
Preparation time:  4 weeks
Fundraiser duration: 2 weekends (or more)
Serves: small groups
Startup cost: High
Profit potential: High

What you need:
Marketing Flyers
Time Sheets or other tracking method
Credit card processing (recommended but not necessary)
1-2 experienced adults per team
Ladder
Commercial air compressor (could be rented)
Basic tools (screwdriver, shovel)

Method:
1. Advertise in school and around the community beginning in September and schedule appointments for the first two weekends of October.  Charge a fair market rate depending on how many zones a customer has.  In our area presently the fair price is $35-$45 per small residential system but yours may vary.  Avoid commercial work and focus on neighborhoods unless you have abilities beyond the scope of this post.

2. Schedule and confirm with every customer leaving enough time to stay on schedule even if you have some delays. 

3. Show up on time and complete the work effectively.  Allow children to only do elements of the job that are safe and age appropriate.  Do not let a child operate heavy machinery under any circumstance.
Notes:

1. This fundraiser requires professional experience outside of the scope of this post.
2. There are safety concerns with heavy machinery including emissions, loud noise, moving parts, fire danger.  Please make sure no children are in danger at any time.

PROS: Big money potential for a small group given great need in many parts of the country.
CONS: Seasonal, time intensive and requires equipment and experience.

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