12 Parent-Approved Fundraisers
October 3, 2009 by Karen Weideman
Filed under Kid Stuff, Top 10 lists, parenting
Last year, after being totally frustrated over numerous fundraisers, I wrote a little rant with 10 reasons why I can’t stand school fundraisers. I understand though that schools need to raise money for things that our kids can enjoy such as playgrounds, picnic tables, and media items. After speaking with some parents and personally critiquing some fundraisers, I’ve come up with a list of parent-approved fundraisers. I know that you won’t agree with every suggestion on the list, but hopefully you’ll find an idea that you like.
1) Grocery store customer cards – Some stores, such as Food Lion have a program for schools. Basically, the school registers at the grocery store and then the parents, grandparents, etc register their store card under the school’s account. The school automatically gets proceeds from the sales. There’s no need to sell anything.
2) Restaurant fundraiser - Your child’s school can sign up at a restaurant such as Chick-Fil-A for a special fundraiser night. Proceeds from that night go to the school. Again, no need to sell anything. If you want to show your support, you just come to the restaurant to eat.
3) Cookie dough - Most people like cookie dough, especially around the holidays. It’s easy to sell and it brings in a lot of money. I was talking to a teacher last month and she said their school made about $10,000!
4) Invest-in-a-Kid – My kids’ school does a fundraiser where they don’t sell anything. They simply ask for monetary donations for things the school needs. It gives parents an opportunity to just give without having to sell.
5) Candy bars - These are a bit more aggravating, but pretty easy to sell. After all, they’re only a buck. Most anyone will buy a candy bar. People don’t have to wait around for something to be ordered.
6) Sodas - Schools can partner up with a soda company such as Pepsi or Coca-Cola. They take orders and money for the soda and then the soda is picked at the school on the arranged date. No delivery needed. Usually the soda is about the same price as the soda from the grocery store.
7) Read-a-thon or Walk-a-thon – Most people don’t mind donating money if the kids are going to do something useful like reading or walking.
8) Silent auction – Parents and the community donate items of value. It’s an easy fundraiser and you can get some great bargains.
9) Coupon books – Each year my husband and I buy at least one coupon book which has coupons for dining out and entertainment. The books generally sell for $20 and the school gets $10 for each book sold. Most coupons in the book are for buy 1 get 1 free.
10) Dinner or festival – Have a dinner or festival for the community. Usually, schools serve spaghetti because it’s an easy, cheap meal. Perhaps the school could do a fundraiser dinner and silent auction on the same night.
11) Buy a privilege. Some schools have one day each month where the kids can pay $1 to wear a hat to school. I’ve also heard of paying $1 to wear a costume, flip flops, or crazy clothes.
12) Box tops – Most schools participate in this program and it’s super easy with no pressure. Simply save the box tops from specially marked products. The schools get 10 cents for each box top.
What do you think of these fundraiser ideas? Do you have any others to add to the list?
image sxc.hu
my daughter’s school does square art. the kids do something along a theme in art clss and you can order that as an apron, magnet, shirt, plaque etc. it’s good for christmas/holiday presents and they usually do them aroun november. no oor to door selling and the only people that you really have to ask to buy anything are people that already are invested in your kid.
I’m partial to walkathons of course (I write a blog just on those)!
Another high impact fundraiser is a school foundation which can do an annual donation campaign. The return on effort is very good. I like fundraisers where the kids can help but if the school is in need of a great deal of money, going straight to parents and asking, with a detailed and valid case, can be good. Very common in many states but not in all.
Another great place to do fundraising is called http://www.JustPoppin.com They do fundraisers with gourmet popcorn!!!
My senior year, when I was secretary of my High School’s Environmental Science Club, we used them to raise money for our field trip to go kayaking to learn about Florida’s natural wildlife. We made enough money that noone had to pay anything to go (plus a little extra)!! It was so popular that we did it a few more times that year.
And besides… who doesnt love popcorn?! =)
This is a great list of fundraisers. I’m a high-school teacher and coach, so not only do I get “hit up” to buy things every time any campus group does a fundraiser, but I also have to run two fundraisers per year. I always look for cause-for-cause fundraising opportunities, because they benefit both my organization and another non-profit.
My favorite so far is through Javamo Coffees’ Smartfoods program, which benefits their Art for Autism Foundation. Here’s a link to the program:
http://www.javamo.com/fundraiser_about.shtml
The dollar to wear a hat was a favorite back in the school days. They probably raised a few thousand and didn’t have to sell anything & the students loved it.