We sell pizza as part of concessions for some events. It's a natural part of what one would offer, but it's not a huge money maker by itself.
The best price we can get is usually about $6.00 per pizza, which is cut into 8 slices. (We tried 12 one year and got huge complaints.)
So then the question becomes, what can you get for a single slice (regular size) of pizza? I think we usually charge $1.50, so $12 net, $6 profit per pizza. But how many can you sell? If you sell 40 pizzas/320 slices, that's $240. A fair amount of effort/work goes into that.
Of course it would depend on the size of the crowd and your own pricing.
Well, the good news is that you are raising funds for a tangible goal. That makes it somewhat easier.
As a parent, I understand the necessity of this and am more willing to support things I'll actually use as opposed to a catalog of trinkets and gifts. Selling consumables - like candy or concessions at an event is good.
Is it likely you could get any volunteers (i.e., 8th grade students) to help with an activity? When I was in college, my sorority worked concessions at a neighboring baseball field (pro) once or twice a season. That was always a popular fundrasier with organizations.
Currently, in our town I know non-profit organizations, Scout groups, etc. help clean up the university stadium after a game. It's not a small job, but they make $1800 for 2-3 hours work. Each group has a section to clean and works about 2 times per season. They always have a waiting list of groups wanting to add on, so the flip side is that there are no second chances. If your group ever fails to show up or doesn't do a good job, you are off the list.
Originally posted by JHB:
[QB] We've got a very small PTO for middle school that focuses on teacher appreciation and a few other things. It's a whole different world than elementary. And - at least with our school - I'm glad they aren't struggling to have it be a big, money-making organization. There's simply too many other organizations in middle school.
The school itself has to do some major fundraising throughout the year (and doens't ask for PTO funds). Then there are all the different groups: athletics, band, cheerleaders, choir, orchestra, and all the after-school clubs. Each of them has to be self-supporting, so THEY have fundraisers.
Unfortunetly PTO is supposed to run the Spirit Festival and 8th grade dance. And if we don't fundraise, then we don't do these things. I know that the parents will complain, but I don't know what else to do. I have a small fundraiser planned for spring to cover the dance, but I have to have a good sized one this fall to do the Festival. I will be competing with band and activities fund, so I hope my stuff will get enough orders to cover the costs of the Festival. I had thought about cookie dough. I don't want to do catalog, that's what they do. I plan on selling candy bars at sporting events, so hopefully that will help. Any other ideas on quick, easy, non-complaining ways to do this?
Lisa - as far as dances, our middle school has about 8 per year. Until a couple years ago (when the school lost the revenue from vending machines), the principal let a different organziation sponsor each dance as a fundraiser - which cut down dramatically on the need for sales type fundraisers.
Now, he's reserved the ticket sales revenue for the school - which admittedly is the bigger portion, but groups can still sponsor other areas of the dance. Typically that's concessions and novelties, like glow sticks. Depending on the dance, there may also be photos. So perhaps that might be an option for you.
We found sales type fundraisers (for the school or PTO) to be totally worthless in our school. There's too much going on, the kids aren't motivated to bother trying. They may do so for a specific goal - like a cheerleader trying to meet her quota for camp, but not just in general as a school-wide thing.
