School Fundraiser

Almost every public school in America has had some sort of school fundraiser.  Public schools in this country aren’t exactly dripping with molten gold and cut diamonds, they are in need of some help.

Fundraising is one of the few money making ideas that work for public schools. The money made from school fundraisers usually go back into the school as most schools need money to pay for sports equipment, band
instruments, textbooks, school dances, and senior trips.

First time fundraisers can be very overwhelming. In some cases, just the idea of having to organize a school fundraiser, can send people packing. But there is a light at the end of the “no fund” tunnel.  Here are a few fundraising ideas to get you started toward you goal of purchasing those new football helmets, or that senior trip to Cancun.

The best kind of school fundraiser is the kind that makes money. So yeah, that’s a given, but there are quite a few fundraisers that start out with a good idea, and end on a bad note.  These fundraisers had all the right intentions, but not the right tools. They didn’t do the research and find out which school fundraising idea was right for their
situation and their school.

For example: if your school is in a predominantly elderly neighborhood, choosing a health and safety fundraiser rather than a candy fundraiser might be a good call.  If you live in a predominantly young neighborhood, a health and safety fundraiser might not go as good as the candy or pizza fundraiser. Knowing your neighbors and what interests them is a sure way to make some money.

Tying the school fundraiser in with a theme is also a good way to attract attention, and make some money. For instance, if you are trying to make money for a senior trip to Cancun, you can sell homemade Mexican food. Better yet, try to organize a whole international dinner, where students from all nationalities donate food. You can sell the tickets and make some money that way.

Another theme can be a concert. Invite a local singer or musician to come to the school, invite the neighbors and charge for tickets. That can certainly make you some money for new band instruments.

It does sound simple on paper, but out there where money counts it can be very difficult.  To have a successful fundraiser, you just have to know what kind of school fundraiser is right for your school.  Figuring that out is half the battle.