School Fundraiser News - Elementary school fundraising ideas and inspiration that create success!
Here you will find elementary school fundraising ideas for parent groups such as PTO's, PTA's and PTSA's as well as school fundraiser advice for school administrators, principals and and the community.
From Jay Moneta, Vice President - Believe Kids Fundraising
Elementary School Carnival Ideas
Showing posts with label fundraising plan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fundraising plan. Show all posts
Do you think it's hard to plan ahead for a school fundraiser?
When you're poolside with the little ones, it's probably pretty darn difficult to imagine the responsibilities of the Fall fundraiser. What's more is, it's even harder to imagine that time is right around the corner.
So, here's the thing. Just a bit of planning before Fall will go a long way to providing you and your school a sense of accomplishment and success!
Start early.
You don't have to have it all figured out but starting early ensures your ability to focus on the important tasks at the right time!
Build a team.
You'll want help navigating everything. A team of other PTA or PTO members will help you!
Plan.
Have a plan for the fundraising goal and for how big or small your fundraising effort will be.
Participate.
You'll need to think about how to get the most people you can involved. This means making the fundraiser important in the eyes of everyone involved. Consider everything from marketing the fundraiser to rewarding sellers. The more encouragement, the better the fundraiser!
Succeed!
If you start early and recognize the major ways you can impact your fundraiser, you will hit your goals!
I'm here if you need me so feel free to continue the conversation in comments below or at twitter.com/believekids
I'm about to say something bad but I'm not going to the principals office!
That's because I am going to make a really strong case. I will prove my point. Here ya go.
School principals view fundraising in a strange way.
It's really not their fault or anything. It's just the nature of things. Things being what they are, the way principals operate on a daily basis works in most situations to the benefit of school. I applaud principals efforts and I know a fair amount of them so this isn't really a criticism, it's an appeal.
Here's what I have noticed.
The last principal I spoke with believed that fundraising was a matter for the parent group. They just wanted to know that they had a fundraiser that would be considered 'safe'. If they trusted the parent group, they would not need approval. If not, he just needed to see it first.
Sound familiar?
In reality, a principal is busy. Fundraising isn't part of their daily regimen, nor should it be. So, why would we consider rethinking things? Why is there a problem?
The appeal
The relationship between parent and teacher is important. The more that gets in the way of fostering that relationship, is a detriment. Lack of a 'fundraising plan' is a detriment.
The photo above is just one day's worth of materials sent home on top of the communication the teacher was intending for the parent. It's so much, that something is going to be lost or forgotten about.
The question is, what will it be?
So, my appeal is for principals to be involved with the 'fundraising plan', the strategy behind what you send home and why. Limit extraneous communication that doesn't accomplish the goal of keeping the teacher / parent relationship intact. Assume that everything you send home is an action item that has to be taken care of and dealt with. If something is voluntary, leave the flyers in the lobby or on the website, but not in the backpack.
Secondarily, in an effort to limit the overload of information, help the PTA or PTO decide why money is needed, how much is needed and the minimum number of fundraisers needed to accomplish that goal. Some schools raise $100,000 in one fundraising effort and do not fundraise the rest of the year.
What is your plan to minimize the fundraisers?
If you can get the fundraising down, would you have more fun? Would you have more time for fun and educational outings and events? My guess is you would. Would less mean that the parents feel closer to the school and more willing to participate inside the classroom or at certain events? I bet there would be a different level of involvement.
What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear 'em!
Comment below or keep the conversation going on twitter - twitter.com/believekids
_________________
Picture in your mind, the big game. An excited crowd anticipates a big play at just the right moment. The moment arrives but unfortunately, the coach hasn't planned very well and it turns out they don't have one.
They blow the big game and nobody on either side is happy with the way the game ended.
Really?
Do we think this is a reality and the coach has no plan? I know how ridiculous it sounds but this is the way we treat school fundraising. It's like the win or lose is decided randomly.
I'm here to tell you all that a solid fundraising plan will allow you to win the championship every year!
Tomorrow, I'll discuss that steps to take specifically, but for today, just know you can change the game of chance you play with your current fundraising plan and have consistent wins every time. It's possible and probable!
Until Next Time!
__________________________
Feel free to keep the conversation going here in the form of blog comments or on twitter or facebook. Thanks so much for sharing my blog and letting me know you appreciate the writing.
