WirelessG

The reality of fundraising in my experience is Moms and Pops really sell the stuff. They take it with them to work or ask other family members etc. The kids might call Gram, but that is usually the extent.

The parents are more willing to do that if the child comes home from school Excited about the "FUNdraiser" and if not only the school, but the child gets some benefits too.

Whatever company you use, see what the benefits to the students will be. They should provide perks for the kids. These are not perks provided from PTO, but from the fundraising company.

With the company we use, If the student sells 1 item, they get a Prize. The prizes level after that. 2-5 items X prize plus the prize below that level. 6-15 items Prize plus the other 2 level prizes and so on all the way up to Xboxes and big prizes. Then bonus's for top sellers per grade, and per school. If the child sells 30 items, they get a limo ride & Pizza Party.

Another local school sold candles, the kids got $.25 per candle they sold.

One company we worked with, Gave us a fall Festival with Huge Blow up jumpers. They came and set everything up and the kids got a day of play.

There are tons of ways to get the kids excited about doing a "FUNdraiser" as long as you keep the FUN part of it. A good company will do everything in their power to keep it fun. They know that they are going to sell more product if they keep it fun and offer perks for the kids.

For us, the real goal is getting the fundraising packet out of the kids backpack into the parents hands, sometimes that is easier said then done.

[ 02-22-2006, 09:04 AM: Message edited by: OaklandparkMom ]

Dont know what I did to make it post twice, must be Tim's new baby playing with the server.. j/k

Like the posts above.. Talk to others, talk to parents, see what others have done, their experiences. Dont do it just because it always been doen that way, then again, if it does work well, why reinvent the wheel.

I am seeing a common stance on the boards that kids need the motivation. I liked one moms post about particpation award. Sell 3 whatever and you get the participation award.

I suppose the top top sellers could play the "money wheel."

Shawn, thanks for you comments. It is all good information. Thank you too oakland mom!

I will continue to research the boards.

I invite other to respond as well to the questions I posted!!!

THANKS

[ 02-21-2006, 06:10 PM: Message edited by: wirelessG ]

Put a call out to your local fundraiseing companies you put on in the past, Call other schools in your area (60 mile radius) get names of the companies they have used. Call them all. Give them all the same day with diff times to show up and have them give you and your comm. a personal demonstration of their items. Let THEM motivate YOU to choose THEM over the other guy. You want someone who is going to be hands on with you and even hold your hand if you need it, and sometimes...you really need it! (Or at least I did lol)

Tell them all that you will not be making any decisions on companies that night. (That takes the pressure off)

What ever company you choose, you want one that motivates the KIDS to want to sell. We work with "The CandyMan" from Kathryn Beich alot, he is #1 in motivation! They bring money machines, limo rides etc for the top sellers. The kids get token gifts all the way up to Playstations for top sellers. Plus we get 45%.

In my opinion, Motivation is key over product anytime.

[ 02-21-2006, 06:06 PM: Message edited by: OaklandparkMom ]

Originally posted by Shawn:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by wirelessG:
However, there have to be some absolute rules regarding fundraising that I need to know like;

1. b]Really depends on how many fundraisers have been done, the income of school stakeholders, are entertainment books being done by some one at the same time, etc

2.Again, see above response- if the PTA/PTO has given wherer the $$ goes- most stakeholders are positve about fundraising


3. No- must be a strict cutoff date

4. Yes, Yes, Yes

5. No, No, No- In my opinion - Upfront fees- mean see my money Never

6. Hmmm, not many using online that I know. Needs more research- another tread addresses this 45-50% is our threshold

7. b]45-50% is our threshold


8. Thaat other thread has info- I believe you and I have posted on it- currently no good eMalls ones yet

9. Yes, sort of - Masterpeice, Innsbruck- some do residual- sot of- especially if its more than one fundriaser of theirs


HELP! [/b]

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