I love the extra recess! That's one I want to bring up at the next meeting. It's fun, it doesn't break, I don't have to pick it up and best of all--it's FREE!
I've been rattling my brain trying to shake an idea out of it. Our group VP is for popsicles (thank God we're not in Texas! )they're cheap and unusual in school. If we actually have some sort of a surplus budget at the end of all this :eek: we'd love to get T-shirts made up. I like gift cards (especially if you can get them donated!). Another suggestion was for us to check out the local ice cream parlor to see if they's comp us coupons for a free cone, and another was "homework-free night" passes.
I would love to see the fundraising companies (and I KNOW you guys read this board!) offer incentives other than the little toys that break very quickly after received. My thoughts are things like:
Participation award - pencil that says "I helped XYZ school reach our goal"
5 Items - plastic cup - same imprint with school logo?
15 Items - T-Shirt (for those of our schools that have dress code - let it be approved as one they can wear on a regular basis) that says I'm a Funrai$er at XYZ school. (yes - I know I spelled that wrong on purpose).
25 Items - $10.00 Target Card.
Something along those lines.
I still think top seller prizes (we've done everything from Game Boys to TV/VCR combo's) for the top 3 sellers in the school - dollar wise - definitely motivate.
Would like to get some feedback from the fundraising reps out there on what they think about this or if it's been tried before.
I like that! Depending on how much money the kids raise (3 weeks has brought in around $750), we are planning on giving the classes of 2004 and 2005 plaques acknowledging their contribution on certain pieces of equipment as well.
One of our members suggested getting juice and either cookies or chips for each class (there's 14 not including the winners). I figure it's more than I wantd to spend (right now our budget is coming out of my and the VP's purses) but it's doable if we go to Costso (like BJ's). I just hate to have the other kids feel like their contribution isn't appreciated, so I'm willing to do a little more concerning this particular fundraiser. Some of the other members feel that it cheapens the prize for the winners, and some feel enough is enough, but I don't agree in this case.
Any other opinions on prizes/incentives for fundraisers?
Since they are participating as a classroom, give each classroom a certificate stating something like- We helped our school through philanthropy. Mrs. Smith's class- 2003-2004. Not a huge expense but an acknowledgement of their hard work.
With one of our fundraising programs (Kash for Kids) we didn't offer a prize, the principal feels that it's something they should be doing anyhow. The response has been great--NOT from the kids, but from a couple of parents who work in computer departments in companies who've been inundating us with cartridges!
What sort of prize could you offer to everyone participating? I know with Kidstuff books you get a free book for every 5(?) you sell, but with something like a catalog or candybar fundraiser, what "across the board" prizes would be good? We're having a spare-change drive for our playground fund, and the class with the most money at the end of each leg receives a pizza party with an ice cream cake. I'd like to include the other classes too since they all are trying hard, but am at a loss of what to give them(K-5)without going bankrupt! I've read other posts where people have talked about their reps offering the prizes--what sort of things do they do?
)they're cheap and unusual in school. If we actually have some sort of a surplus budget at the end of all this :eek: we'd love to get T-shirts made up. I like gift cards (especially if you can get them donated!). Another suggestion was for us to check out the local ice cream parlor to see if they's comp us coupons for a free cone, and another was "homework-free night" passes.