Yes! The guy who owns the salon was pretty upfront, which I like, and said that while he's interested in helping our playground fund, he's also interested in getting his shop's name out there. He's willing to pay for the copying to get the flyer out to all four elementaries in our town (we're talking some 1,600 kids). I asked him if the cost wasn't going to be a bit much, and he explained that if he were to take an ad out for that price in the paper, he couldn't be guaranteed that he'd have 1,600 people even look at it. This way he has a more captive audience, plus it's good PR . He's also paying to have a clown there for a couple of hours, and a friend of his who's a DJ is going to be there for the afternoon. He's really going all out--I'm going to feel really bad if nobody shows up!
I understand the advertising point but are you saying that no schools are allowed to promote Target (Dayton Hudson there??) or campbells soup? You have to put the company names on those flyers don't you? It's a fundraiser period!
Put the focus on the fundraiser- Big Letters- PLAYGROUND FUND, little letters- where to go! I would definately design the flyer yourself though so that the focus is on your group and not on the business as much. If they are as strict about advertising, then if the business put too much focus on the business, they could squelch it. One thing tho (fresh on my mind from something else) have a volunteer or two at the hair place just in case regarding the unrelated business income issue. That way if you have other things that come your way that don't require a lot of volunteer work,you're covered.
Thanks! I'm a control freak, and am a little nervous about letting someone else do the flyer. We have that "issue" with our PTA, so we have to be careful about wording certain aspects. I was thinking I'd have them come up with a flyer, then give it to us for principal/BOE approval. If I found any problems I'd let them know. Sound good? The whole thing was just so unexpected, and it just seems too good to be true!
I get away with not paying for things like that by asking if they could get the flyers to us. That way no information is wrong and they know exactly what is out there. It never occurred to me to do flyers myself.
Advertising in the community papers, newsletters and radio will drum up more people and is usually free for nonprofits. Hey, maybe you could get an announcer to kick it off by being the first cut while on air. Ask around.
Obviously it would be nice to let the parents know from the school. But word of mouth is more valuable than a piece of paper any day.
. Since we're directing them to a specific salon it's considered "advertising." 
. He's also paying to have a clown there for a couple of hours, and a friend of his who's a DJ is going to be there for the afternoon. He's really going all out--I'm going to feel really bad if nobody shows up!