Schools often need to undertake fundraising for various projects which they might like to implement. The volunteers are mostly students and sometimes parents may also help if adult supervision is required. Teachers need to plan and implement the strategy in a cohesive manner so that the values of the effort put in by the students are realized. There are two types of fundraising plans that they may use: one which has long term implication (this requires a lot more planning and the number of days involved are more) and one which are short term plans which can be implemented over a holiday or a weekend and shows instant result. The choice of the fundraising plan is directly dependant on the amount of funds required.
Some of the short term fundraising ideas most suited for schools are carwash, baked cookies sale, garage sale, walk a pet, or a weekend fun fiesta. All these ideas can be implemented over the weekend at the school garden. One of the most fun events is the fete which usually becomes a family affair and children end up spending a good time with parents while contributing to a worthy cause. A fete however, does require fair amount of co-ordination and might even require some amount of contribution from local businesses by way of services.
Long term fundraising plans in a school usually revolves around a concert where the tickets are sold and the net profit of the event is used for the purpose for which the funds are being raised. This requires students to practice for some time and also gives them a chance to enhance their dramatics and musical skills. In fact most schools across the US have an annual concert which usually has a fundraising component to it. Sales of food and programme booklet at the concert enhance the fundraising ability of the event.
1.) Plan for Success
Efficient planning is integral to the success of not only your school fundraising campaign but any project you might think of. Without a well thought out plan of action chaos will reign and your project will suffer as a result no matter how good your fundraising ideas are. In fact, you should have a primary plan as well as a secondary and tertiary.
2.) There can be Only One!
There can only be one captain of a ship and the same holds true for your school fundraising program. Too many chiefs and not enough Indians is a recipe for failure as well as a bad idea. Pick a competent person to be in charge and then let them be in charge.
3.) Delegate Authority
Assign specific tasks to people in whom you have confidence and trust. In your planning create a list of tasks that must be accomplished and choose personnel for each task. Ensure that each of your chosen staff understands that accountability for their assigned task falls squarely on their shoulders.
4.) Promotion is the Key
Get the word our about your school fundraiser. Promoting your school fundraising project will help you greatly in the quest to reach your goals. Send out press releases to local media outlets. Don't forget your own school web page is a great way to post your fundraising ideas and opportunities and get the word out about it. The type of fundraiser you are planning will dictate if creating promotional flyers and soliciting local business to place them in store windows would be helpful in making your fundraising event better. There are many ways to promote an event and you should take advantage of as many of them as possible.
5.) Pre-Sell for Success
This tactic will work effectively for any type of school fundraising event. If your fundraiser is an event like a dance or dinner or some kind of ticketed event, you will do much better pre-selling your tickets. Start the revenue stream long before the actual event. When items such as cookie dough or Christmas gift items are your main products start mentioning it to friends, family, and neighbors ahead of time.
6.) Multiple Income Streams
Do not put all of your eggs in one basket. Multiple income streams have been a recipe for success in business for many years and you should be running your school fundraising just like a business. If you are placing your whole years planning on the success of only one program, then you may find yourself in a shortfall. You might even have another nearby school start the same thing your were planning to do the week before you kick your fundraiser off. If you are located in a small town, this can be a huge blow to your school fundraising success. Try using multiple events to your advantage. This is an excellent way to reach your goal as quickly as possible and spread out some of the risk.
7.) Post Event Analysis
While not part of the actual event planning phase this is something that you should not overlook. Analyze how each of your school fundraising efforts performed. Which ones did your customers like the best? Which ones made you the most money? What school fundraising event was the easiest to do? You can use your analysis of your current campaign to enhance future fundraising efforts. It is especially helpful to write these things down in a journal for the next board to view in case all the faces on the board change from year to year. Doing this will make it much easier on the inexperience leaders who follow you to pick up where you left off!
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