Our School does a direct donation form that gets sent home along with our fall fundraiser. On the form we explain it is an alternative to the fundraiser or in addition to it and explain what the funds go to and how important their contribution is. We also offer a student prize for donations of $100.00 or more and we do get some donations that large. It has brought in an additional $1000.00 for our fundraiser. We use bright colored paper to print it on so it is easy to find when it gets home and mixed in with other papers. Good Luck.

When I approach people to buy the wrapping paper, or anything that we are selling, I say, "Would you like to help with our school fundraiser by purchasing something out of our gift catalogue or by making a cash donation?" I usually just get cash and that is instant money for our group. It also eliminates the option of them saying "I dont need any wrapping paper", and not giving me anything. My goal is to get money out of them and I have no problems guilting them into it.

Why not offer the ability to write a check directly to the PTA as an additional option to your gift wrap fundraiser? That way, people who want to receive something for their money can buy from your catalog and people who don't want to buy anything but still want to help can write a check.

Our PTO has done a wrapping paper fundraiser for the past few years now, with good success. But many parents feel they would rather just make a donation to the PTO, instead of purchasing items they really don't need. Has anyone had any experience doing a fundraiser, but giving parents the option of making a donation as well? I'm just not sure of the logistics of the donation part.