OT Need new PTO/PTA fundraising ideas

[shaunaday]

I am sorry if these ideas are repeated. I admit I skimmed through this thread. Many of the "usual fundraisers" have flopped with the economy as shakey as it is...but our school has had a lot of success with the following:

1. Kroger rewards links (many grocery stores do this and its costs nothing)
2. Script cards (gift cards to various stores and restaurants and again it costs nothing extra)
3. Discount card (cost was 10 per card and it gave many discounts to local businesses for a full year)
4. Box Tops (we give out the papers to glue the box tops to and many of the teachers offer incentives to students who bring in box tops)
5. Secret Santa Shop (the kids loved this)
6. School Store (ours is open daily and operated by the student council)

 

[scentsforschools]

I have a very unique product that is currently sweeping the Northwest that has just been rolled out for fundraisers. I do not want to get in any trouble by “advertising” on the boards. So, if you are interested in learning more about this product and the fundraising opportunity, please email me at scentsforschools at gmail.com

Thanks,

Ron
ScentsForSchools

 

[BeckyScott]

We've been having trouble this year too, it's the economy.

I think for the most part, the only really successful fund-raisers that will work, either have to be a) something people need to buy anyway, or b) dirt-cheap. That eliminates a bunch of stuff right there.

The scrips and Box Tops will work. Discounts for fast-food not as much (many people have cut this out of their budget) but you'll make a little that way. Our school district does the discount cards and I personally think it's a waste of money. The idea is good, it's just that the particular businesses that are on the card are places we normally don't use, I think it would very much depend on where you live and who's on it.

I'm a firm believer though, that parents would rather contribute a bit more and do it once, than to be ding-donged all year. The kids have been to two different elementary schools. The first one, I think they did a fund-raiser every month. The cheesy ones, complete with cheap toy prizes and an assembly, it made me nuts and I got to the point very quickly where I quit trying. It was just embarrassing to keep hitting up co-workers to buy junk. The school that they're at now only does one big fund-raiser, so parents are more willing to participate. There are other smaller things, like Box Tops, but really only one time they do a full-blown fund-raiser. And they probably don't operate on the same budget but they've made that choice. Besides the fund-raisers, you know, you've got school pictures in there, class parties, a t-shirt order (not a for-profit situation with us)... if you look at it from the parent's perspective, it's money leaving the checking account, whether it's going for a fund-raiser or for a class party, it's money spent.

 

[mom2travel]

Some of these may have already been noted but here are some ideas:

* Box Tops and Campbell soup labels - easy and no cost to the families
* Some of the grocery stores give $$ to the schools when people shop there; those near us include Harris Teeter, Food Lion and Target (HT is for generic brands only; at Target I think you need a Target cc)
* One of our elementary school's big fundraisers is the read-a-thon; people can pledge a flat amount or a an amount per each 10 or 15 minutes of reading
* when I was in HS we had a walk-a-thon each year - people can pledge any amount they'd like
* our kids' previous school did the grocery bingo mentioned by a PP - each class donated themed items to make up baskets
* some fun outings can also generate a minor profit - prior school used to do ice skating and roller rink outings. Paid a flat amount to rent the place out, and if sold more tickets than needed to cover cost, money to the PA

 

[2Blue1Pink]

We rented the local movie theater for a one theater screening. This fall it was Madagascar 2. We sold tickets for $8 which included a small drink, popcorn and the movie (not sure how that relates to movie prices where you are but we're in New England). It was sold out! We're also renting out a local ice rink in March and having a school skate night. As parents and a PP pointed out, we've agreed as a PTO that we'd rather participate in community building events than sell overpriced merchandise to our friends and families!

 

[flannaga]

Our school participates in a scrip program, and to me I think it is the most painless way for people to get contribute, without spending a penny more than they would anyway.

Also, once a month our school has 2 seperate pizza places in town that donate a portion of proceeds that night to the school. You just take in a sticker that says that is what you are there for. Lots of restaurant chains will do this.

I'm also working on a fundraiser (not for school) with a local minor league team. They're going to let us have access to all their tickets on a particular night. We sell tickets for $7 and we get to keep $3 from each. We're also tying some other fundraising in that night with them (working concessions, half pot drawings, etc). Good for them cuz it fills their stadium and gets people to try it out... good for us cause we raise money and awareness for our cause.

Have also heard of beauty schools donating their time and facility for an evening and selling tickets for a 'girls night out spa party'. All proceeds to benefit your nonprofit.

 

[Ashlander]

Our school's biggest fundraiser is a 5k run with a 1/2 mile and a 1 mile run for the kids. We also have McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Barnes & Noble and Skate Nights. We do Box Tops & Campbell's as well receive money from a local grocery store which donates a portion of sales in March to each customer's charity of choice.

 

[3boymthr]

Ways to make money without taking any cash out of your parents pockts:

Mycokewrewards.com has a program for schools. People only have to collect and donate the caps.

The ABITI recycling paper program. They get money just for recycling the kids used worksheets. You can get even more money by getting parents to donate their paper as well. It's just a covered dumpster that sits in the school parking lot.

Collect used toner cartridges and cell phones. There are companies that pay cash money for the cartridges and cell phones. The PTO set up various collection points throughout town (library, post office, school lobby, town hall, local hardware store, etc.). People drop off their used items. Once a month or sooner if they are full the PTO collects the items and sends them off.

There are other chains besides Target that have a donation program. I think Lowes is one of them.

Also to investigate do you live anywhere near a professional football or baseball stadium. We live near Gillette. The stadium has a program where if parents work for free selling soda/beer they will donate a portion of the profits to the organization. Limited to one game per organization per season.

One fundraiser that does cost the parents money but doesn't cost money to run:

Teachers vs parents/students or police vs teachers basketball game. Run at the school gym. Tickets are $4/pp max of $10/family. They sell cookies & water in the lobby during half time. They make a ton of money. Because we live near Gillette and one of the coaches is a former Patriots player we got some retired NFL players to participate in a game against the HS students one time. That was a HUGE fundraiser. People came from all around.

ETA - Don't forget to look in to the Scholastic book fair if your school does not already do this. Our school made $3,000+ doing this last year.

 

[eccobleu]

My daughter's preschool is having a Trivia Night this month. I've also been to a trivia night for a local high school.

You could also look into stuckonyou.biz. I know everything that my kids take to school needs their name on it.

HTH

 

[scrapquitler]

Our school did a mcdonalds night a couple years ago. They asked for parent and teacher volunteers to work at McDonalds that particular night (like from 5-8 pm) and the volunteers helped behind the counter (we made shakes, sundaes, put orders onto trays, grabbed napkins, ketchup, etc....we didn't actually go in the kitchen or touch money) and at the end of the night mcdonalds donated 10% of the nights sales to the pto. Almost everyone from school went to mcdonalds that night. I think they made several hundred bucks.

Another thing they did was run a student variety show. The students made up skits, sang, danced, showed karate moves, etc. They charged like $5 for adults, $1 for kids not in the show.

How about a tag sale or craft fair? charge $20 for a table in the school gym or cafeteria and just let people sell their stuff.

 

[scrapquitler]

I forgot to mention another big fundraiser that they did at DDs elementary school. We have a local orchard that makes really good pies. They do a pie sale leading into Thanksgiving...the orchard makes pies and then freezes them before baking (except the pumpkin ones that are pre-baked). They take orders for various types of pies (I think they are about $11 or $12 for the pies, the same as what they charge in the farm store) ahead of time, then they deliver the frozen pies to the school for pickup the week before Thanksgiving, and they let the school keep HALF of the money from the sales (so $5.50 or $6. per pie).

Much better than the catalog junk, and doesn't everyone love pie at Thanksgiving?