Sure Dave, always room for one more hat on my head! When I hang up my day job, I'm going into the fundraising business - I'm convinced that's where all the money is!
Part of our success is that we borrow/steal the best of the ideas you all have posted on this board. Thanks everyone....
Because we are a private school (150 students), most of our fundraising is to help with the operating expenses of the school. Our actual amount that we have to raise is $60,000. We say $80,000 so that we can hopefully raise over that $60,000 for the FUN stuff - field trips, parties for the kids, skating parties, family fun night, ethnic night, etc. We average raising anywhere from $65,000-$75,000 a year.
Hi...I Have to agree with Tim...we have never in three years charge for any event, this year we are offering events(fall festival, sockhop, Grandparent luncheon, Art showcase, familr craft night) and cosponsoring two other nights and we dont charge a dime. We do only three fundraisers a year and those funds go back into each one of these events. I feel that thsi gives the families something back for helping raise those funds. we also do the holiday shop at cost, and a buy one get one free bookfair. We are looking at adding a movie night as well....I realize some schools need the money for equipment, payroll costs , etc. so I do consider us lucky to do this
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
Who cares if you "lose" money on a family event? That's what you "raised" the money for in the first place -- to create a great environment at your school.
Absolutely have free events -- even if you're hiring paid vendors. If the paid vendors make the event even better (and will wind up bringing in more parents the following year because this year's parents raved about it) -- what a wonderful involvement builder.
I'm slightly off the subject here (sorry!), but I think that DaveP's opinion on the subject of Fundraising is 100% correct. I have witnessed so many events that are "sponsored" by my school's PTA, but we charge at least what we think it's going to cost (or more). I chair 2 events which I keep getting told are "not for profit", but we charge near-retail prices because I'm told to hire outside vendors (I'm working to change this).
I think Prez88's separation of Fundraising and Free events would really make a positive difference to parents who are quite sick of being nickel and dime'd to death. Raise the money, get it over with and enjoy the rest of the year's events at little or no cost. Has anyone tried this??
