PTO Fundraiser ideas - please help

[ms.yt]

I found out about the Harlem Wizards through this board a couple of years ago. We did a fundraiser with them, and it was a huge success! You can go to their website harlemwizards.com for info. I'd be happy to answer any questions for you as well.

 

[funkymom]

I've been involved in PTA or Booster Clubs in some way over the last 6 years. The easiest fundraiser I've coordinated is a Spaghetti Drive Thru Dinner. Dinners were prepped late in the day of the event and placed in to go boxes. We delivered curbside to the families that pre-ordered.
The dinner included basic sauce over corkscrew pasta, salad, garlic bread and a cookie. We charged $6 per meal and we're able to get food and paper goods donated so all earnings was pure profit.

This year our high school band boosters is trying a TriTip Drive Thru instead of the normal sit down dinner. It appears attendance at the sit down has gone down in the past few years and they're hoping eliminating the time commitment will help with profits.

 

[bethy]

Just going to add my thoughts as a mom of 3 who is finally done with fundraising.

Believe me, in all those years, we've done all of them, cookie dough, book fairs, carnivals, popcorn, Christmas wrap, and on and on.

My all time favorites were the "No Fundraiser Fundraiser". We mailed/sent letters to all the students parents and said, "Instead of making you hit up all your relatives to purchase stuff that they don't need, at high cost, with minimal return to the school, we're just going to ask everyone to donate a cash sum. That way you know all that money is going to the group you want it to." I worked so well, we did it for the next 2 years.

I also liked the Carl's Jr coupon books that we sold a few years for the high school band.

Passing the hat is the most popular fundraiser around here, too. Followed closely by a large Auction event which admittedly generates far more $$$. We rarely if ever sell things - thank goodness.

 

[bethy]

I don't think that is tacky at all. I would much rather that then buying $50 worth of crap I don't need and the school only nets $15. If every family did that then a few people wouldn't have to spend hours and hours planning these elaborate galas, 5Ks and auctions. I realize though that in OPs case that is not feasible. In my district I believe most every family could easily afford this, yet they keep pushing overpriced wrapping paper, coupon books and cookie dough. We just send in $.

AMEN!!!!

Our time is worth a lot and so is less stress for us parents and for our families!

However I totally get how passing the hat would not work in every district.