mrshula, two years ago our PTO sent home 3 catalog fundraisers-one without group approval and it turned a lot of people off. We promised to do a fall and spring and possibly something small around Thanksgiving if fall doesn't go well. We do 2 skating parties, a chuck e cheese night and mcteacher night, if possible. We do Box Tops for the kids like a store so it doens't seem like a fundraiser when the kids do the work. We do a carnival that we just try to break even on as well as hosting open house, muffins with moms, donuts with dads, and grandparents day free of charge. I think a lot of groups did less this year because of budget issues and the economy and that also means they are getting more requests. The thing to do is sit down with your group and decide what you want your group to support and your budget and decide what fundraisers you need to do to meet that. If you have more than enough, consider giving your parents a break. This is just part of the evolution of groups.

We do 2 major & 1 small fundraisers per year. We also do market day and a virtual store. With these last two we get monthly checks and we more than met our yearly budget.

Our parents are very happy with our fundraisers. According to the feedback we've gotten not one person feels its too much fundraising.

McTeach nite is run thru local McDonalds. Sizzler, Baja Fresh are 2 local restaurants that donate portion of proceeeds from Calahan Nite at their restaurants.

Jogathon and Run-Hop-Skip are donations per lap,skip, times jumping rope (local businesses either match funds or donate, prizes, food, smothies for students)

Valentine and Carnation bought in bulk or made and sold week of Valentines or Mothers Day (or any other holiday you'd like)

Sure, Gotta pick up kids from Gymansstics/ Tumbling and get my scans of my 2nd nite, of family game night, games to post on this board.
I'll post our fundraising info ASAP

[ 05-02-2005, 07:49 PM: Message edited by: Shawn ]

Shaun, could you provide a little more detail on your fundraisers - they seem very interesting and different than anything we currently do. Thanks.

Our PTA does a beginning of school fundraiser, Christmas item fundraiser plus Sock Hop with Carnival type games in June(everything is Free except dinner) as our large ones.

All of the others McTeach nite, Sizzler nite, Baja Fresh nite, Jog-a-thon, Run-Hop-Skip for Heart, Valentine Grams, Easter Carnations are school events and not done every year or by every class.

Every other activity is Free (Back-to-school BBQ, game-family-movie nite, Donuts with Dad, Moms and Muffins, Volunteer and Staff Appreciation luncheon)

[ 05-02-2005, 12:42 PM: Message edited by: Shawn ]