| School fundraising is a necessity. Not just in order to | | | | charities asking for money during the holiday season. |
| make up for budget cuts in the school systems but | | | | Community service projects, fundraising for the benefit |
| also to enhance and enrich the school experience for | | | | of other organizations, are worthwhile activities. Winter |
| the students, teachers and the families. While it would | | | | festivals, gift wrapping at malls, and holiday shoppes, |
| be nice if taxpayers paid for things such as graduation | | | | where children can buy inexpensive presents, are |
| parties, teaching supplies, snacks, music and art | | | | fundraising possibilities. |
| programs, and the like, it just isn't possible to fund all the | | | | January: Usually there is not much fundraising done |
| extra things that schools would like to provide. That's | | | | during January because of winter vacation and the |
| why parent organizations, clubs and teams need to | | | | start of a new semester. Use this time to plan and |
| raise the money themselves. | | | | organize and recruit volunteers for the rest of the |
| Fundraising activities should be as few as possible and | | | | year. You can start with themed product sales such |
| as effective as possible. Your organization's mission is | | | | as Valentine's Day candies and gifts. |
| not fundraising, however, you must fundraise in order | | | | February: Mardi Gras and Valentine's Day themed |
| to support your mission. This is something that needs | | | | events such as dances and product sales. |
| to be communicated by your organization in order get | | | | March: Spring book fairs, restaurant nights, Barnes and |
| the volunteers and the help you need to carry out your | | | | Noble shopping days. |
| mission. | | | | April: Rummage sales, recycling projects, spring |
| Less is more when it comes to fundraising. Most | | | | carnivals, concerts and outdoor events such as golf |
| parents are continually being asked to contribute their | | | | tournaments and walk-a-thons. |
| time and money to the many activities they and their | | | | May: Annual end of year fundraising events such as |
| children are involved in. So pick your fundraisers wisely. | | | | galas, dinners, dances, and banquets. Raffles and |
| The first step in establishing a school fundraising | | | | auctions are good to hold at this time of year because |
| calendar is to decide on a budget for each activity that | | | | you can collect prize donations in the prior months. |
| your parent organization or club will be sponsoring in | | | | Mother's Day plant sales. |
| the coming year. Then, look at how much money you | | | | Year-Round Fundraising Opportunities - These |
| already have available and how much you need to | | | | fundraisers should be in place year-round and will earn |
| raise. After that, then you can decide on your | | | | your organization money with minimal effort. Most |
| fundraising activities. | | | | schools take advantage of collecting labels and box |
| The following is a model calendar with fundraising | | | | tops year-round. Market Day food fundraisers can |
| suggestions. Of course, your organization cannot do | | | | also be a profitable year-round activity. Ask parents |
| them all. A good rule of thumb to follow is to hold no | | | | and supporters to participate in loyalty programs such |
| more than one to two event fundraisers and no more | | | | as shopping at a local grocery store that gives a |
| than two or three product sales per semester. These | | | | percentage of sales to your school. |
| activities require more time and volunteer participation | | | | Some credit cards, such as Target stores, give money |
| to conduct and should be combined with the more | | | | to schools. Sign up with online fundraising malls and |
| passive year-round fundraisers. | | | | Scrip programs that give back a percentage of sales |
| September: Ice cream socials during Back to School | | | | to registered schools and organizations. Recycling of |
| Night, Entertainment book sales, spirit wear sales, child | | | | cellphones and printer ink cartridges can help bring in |
| identification programs. Take advantage of back to | | | | money year-round. |
| school nights to let parents know what is planned for | | | | Offer a mix of different fundraising opportunities |
| the coming year and how they can help. State your | | | | throughout the year. Not every family will be able to, or |
| budget and goals. Have volunteer sign-up sheets and | | | | want to, participate in every fundraiser. But most |
| get email addresses and phone numbers of parents. | | | | families will find an activity or event they would like to |
| You probably will not have another opportunity to have | | | | support. Always give parents and supporters the |
| the majority of your parents together at school. | | | | option to contribute with a cash donation. Many |
| October: Fall book fairs, product sales such as gift | | | | parents prefer to do this because they know one |
| wrap, gourmet foods and other items that can be | | | | hundred percent of their money is going to your |
| used for gift-giving. Halloween and Harvest themed | | | | organization. |
| events such as carnivals and bulb and plant sales. | | | | At the end of your fundraising year make sure that |
| November: Early November is a good time for an | | | | you evaluate your fundraisers. Stick with the ones that |
| annual event such as a gala with a theme and | | | | were successful and find new methods to replace |
| fundraisers such as craft fairs, wreath sales, and | | | | those that were not successful. And, finally, let your |
| ornament sales. | | | | volunteers know how they helped your organization |
| December: This is a busy time of year when it may be | | | | and thank them for their support. |
| difficult to find volunteers. There are also many | | | | |