Elementary schools and middle schools hold school fundraiser events for many reasons. New sports equipment, trips, and new computer equipment are just a few of the many reasons. Sometimes it is the PTA or PTO that run the school fundraiser. Many times smaller groups such as the yearbook, student council or a class raising money for a field trip, even at the elementary school level that run the school fundraiser. Though each of these school groups work very hard to raise the money that they need, they sometimes have a difficult time.
One important factor that might get overlooked while planning a school fundraiser is communication with the parents of the students. Many times it is assumed that the students will fill the parents in on all that is going on at school, especially when it concerns the school fundraiser. After all, the students are usually super excited about it after they have seen all the incentives for selling that they could earn. But parents are busy and children don't always communicate in the way that the parents need to hear.
Involvement of the parents is paramount in a successful school fundraiser and if you are the one running it you should include plans to make sure that the parents of your students are informed about your fundraising plans.
Here are 4 things that you can do when planning your school fundraiser that will help ensure that you maximize your results.
1.) Beginning of Year Communication
At the beginning of the school year we should send a notice to the parents which outlines our plans for all school fundraiser events that are planned throughout the year. This way, there are never any surprises and this gives parents an opportunity to ask questions or even to volunteer to help.
2.) Secondary Communication
Most parents have a hectic schedule and sometimes an upcoming event may slip their mind. Send a letter home in the student's take home pack a week or so before the beginning of each school fundraiser or special event throughout the year.
These first two tips are designed to keep parents "in the loop" for the things that you have planed but if you want to take it to the next level, keep reading.
3.) Send out a Newsletter about your school fundraiser.
Use your school's newsletter to keep parents informed of things that are going on at school, especially when it comes to your school fundraiser. Be sure to ask your parents to sign up for the newsletter in all correspondence that is sent home. This will pay big dividends down the road.
Public schools usually have a newsletter or ezine that is sent home regularly. Another option would be to have a form that could be placed on the school's website where parents can read about current events at school. It would be a simple matter for parents to sign up for the newsletter or check the school website.
4.) Gather Email Addresses of your parents
Every school sends correspondence home that needs to be completed by parents and returned. On any correspondence that must be returned to the school add a space for an email address. You can also use this space to help you find volunteers for your school fundraiser events.
If you take the time and trouble to build a database of all these email addresses, you can send your reminders home in print and electronically when it is time for the school fundraiser. You would be surprised at how effective this tactic is in making your school fundraiser a huge success.
These 4 tips will help you increase parent awareness and participation in your school fundraiser events.
Author Resource:-
Go to AIM Fundraising's website for other unique fundraising ideas to increase your fundraising profits. Good communication with parents is only the first thing necessary for a profitable school fundraiser.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.articles-central.info/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
