Help! I need fund-raising ideas!

Last year, when I was touring kindergartens around San Francisco, I visited Leonard Flynn Elementary. In the Mission District on Cesar Chavez, this colorful, friendly place with a Spanish immersion program was one of my favorite schools. I vividly remember the tour, which began in front of a sparkling new play structure with bridges, tunnels, twisty slides, and a rock climbing wall. A Flynn parent, Vali Govier, led the group and she began by telling an inspiring story about the jungle gym. "Parents put that up in one day," Govier said proudly. Over 200 people attended the work party, including Gavin Newsom, Tom Ammiano and Cesar Chavez's grandson.

So when I heard the principal at my daughter's school, Jose Ortega, mention her desire for a new play structure, I envisioned a similar community effort. I pictured parents and children gathering for a day to erect a shiny structure in the middle of the school's expansive black-top sea. I sent an email to Govier who connected me with the parent who led the effort at Leonard Flynn. The project leader responded with a lengthy email detailing what was done to put up that play structure. And guess what? It took a lot more than 200 people rallying on a single day. Who knew a play structure costs some $80,000? Yes, there are grants but going after them requires months and months of labor. Phone calls. Applications. Maps. Photographs. Committees. Meetings. More meetings. Reality sunk in.

But I've never been one to accept reality and so I'm attempting to lead an effort for a new play structure. A team of motivated parents is helping me apply for a grant that would cover a huge portion of the expense, but in order to get that grant we need to come up with $10,000. That's a lot for a school whose PTA brought in about $7,000 last year.

How are we raising the money? Well, we're applying for other grants but we also need a clever fund-raiser that will engage and involve the community. We're considering a spare change drive and selling a goofy photograph of the teachers (ideas borrowed from McKinley Elementary) but we need more options. Got any ideas? Please share your school fund-raising successes.

Comments

[tami]

At our school, parents, teachers and the community have a fall festival. Students are able to play with inflatables, teacher made games such as sucker draw, ring toss (toss rings over a two liter bottle of pop) and win the pop, or pick a duck. We even have a country store for all participants to make purchases. We involve our entire community around this fund raising event, and it really works.

[Jennifer]

Our small school has a walk-a-thon each year to promote healty activity and as a fund raiser. This and a crab feed make up a huge portion of our money making activities.

[George]

Our school is a charter and since we don't get the funds that public schools do, we are a fundraising machine. We do everything - pledge drives, a winter festival, a spring festival, an art fair, auctions, friday morning bake sales, escrip, restaurant fundraisers (you get a percentage if you bring in a flyer), t-shirt sales. It is all organized by parents. Good luck!

[Mary]

Hello,

Just wanted to let you know, that there are more and more fundraisers promoted via Twitter.com

You can read more at http://www.fundraisingip.com/fundraising/tweetsgivingorg-uses-twitter-to-reach-fundraising-goal-in-just-48-hours/

[Donna J Harris]

Try a Gold Fundraiser. It's so easy! No selling. Easy to ask-just hand out an envelope. Donors can be approached by mail or email, making it easy to expand your reach. Potential for large donor gifts. Nor products to store or fuss with. No up-front fees. Everyone has unwanted jewelry.

[Steve@boostyourfundraising.com]

Another idea for simple to manage fundraising, also consider Fundraising Discount Cards.

In a nutshell, you buy plastic credit card type cards, which could have your chosen fundraiser logo on the front & approx 12 to 20 local merchants offering discounts on the back, you sell these at a profit (obviously), but also the person buying the card actually has more than the value of the card in discounts - win/win.

Eg: you buy card for $2, sell card for $10, & person buying has in excess of $10 worth of discounts.

Some of the better companies offer to get the merchants for you & some don’t even ask for payment until 2 weeks later, effectively paying for the cards out of the profit you’ve already made!

[Debbie]

You should check out www.sunpridefoods.com. Our school uses them and they do a great job. We like to get the kids involved so their fundraising program works well for us. Plus, they have great products.

[Anthony Smith]

Hey I found a great concept for school fundraising! You can open your own coast to coast cellular phones and accesories store, and let the community / newspapers know what you are doing. Customers who were going to get new service or related items get the same great service (Verizon is the carrier) and the school project makes money with each new customer!

[Marija]

Hi. I have a wonderful fundraiser that I'd like to share with you. The Harlem Wizards! Have you heard of them/seen them? Visit the website to get some more info at www.harlemwizards.com , then email me at mj@harlemwizards.com and I'll give you all of the details. You can also call me at 201-271-3600 ext 201

Marija