Principals against rewarding students that sell fundraising products

There are principals against rewarding students who sell fundraising items.  I've been racking my brain to try to understand it and I think I finally do. 

This came about by a discussion with a principal who did not want to reward students for hitting a certain sales goal on a product fundraiser.  I was taken back until I figured it out.

It's about the action and not the result.  It's like this and please chime in (leave a comment or catch up with me on twitter) for me if I am off base. Principals want to encourage a group, not an individual.

Makes sense to me.  So, instead of taking the approach that the individual seller raising a lot, the approach is about the group doing what they can and not singling people out.  

A principal's world view must be about the school in its entirety.  A sum of parts that creates one whole.  Encouraging individual efforts is just not in the agenda.  Makes sense.

I think I get it now.  Unfortunately, that's not a path to fewer or more profitable fundraisers but I'm just glad I get it.

Please chime in!

Fundraiser Rationale - Why Giving Direct To Charity Doesn't Work

I think you've probably seen or heard someone say this 'if a school or group doesn't get all the profit, then why shouldn't people just give to directly'. 

In fact, I just ran across another comment that outlines just this sentiment from this article entitled Applebee’s seeks fundraising applications from schools, clubs

I've corrected a few typos for readability. Here ya go:

So if they get 10% of the proceeds and raised 31,000 that means the restaurants made $280,000 by selling dinners they would never have sold in the first place. How about people just give the directly to the organization of there choice and eat at home and they save money.

I just don't know how to put it without offending anyone but here it is:

People won't donate direct to the organization


They won't do it without the proper prompting, incentive, encouragement and reward.  There must be importance and excitement built around something in order to gain the type of momentum needed to successfully fundraise. 


Yes, there are always a few folks that say they donate and the key is a few.  The vast majority just doesn't do it.  So, there you have it.  If you are one of those people that thinks everyone should do this and that, consider the fact that although it's great in theory, it doesn't work in a practical sense.  There are a lot of things people 'should' do.

That's why organizations exist.  To create something exciting that gains momentum and donations.  It's a matter of encouraging and rewarding and it works.

So, Applebee's is quite obviously getting profitable business out of their efforts but that doesn't mean it's entirely bad.  The key is to realize that the money groups received was not just going to come from people giving straight to the organization - regardless of the percentage earned.

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Jay Moneta is the VP of Believe Kids a nationwide elementary school fundraising company.  The tone I took here is a bit harsh so feel free to leave positive or negative comments below.  I do appreciate everyone who is looking at, sharing or following me at thefundraisingpln.com facebook or twitter.  Thanks!

Have some fun! Principal Incentives and Contests in School Work!

Taft Elementary School Principal
Kelly Kazmierski gets slimed.

I ran across an inspiring article today.  It's always nice to see principals and administration supporting school programs.  Here the school had an entertaining reward after reaching a reading goal!  Take a look:

Children read in order to watch principal, board member get slimed (with video)

Principal Involvement
Makes All The Difference!