Connecting Schools With Great Fundraising Ideas.

Many high school marching bands raise funds so they can go to parades, to pay for uniforms or for other music education expenses. Here are a few fundraisers that are going on for marching bands across the country. Maybe your band could jump on some of these great ideas for your own band.

Fayetteville High School Marching Band in Fayetteville, Arkansas is raising funds by installing seat backs at the University football stadium.

Normal, Illinois band members will be selling cheesecakes as its fall fundraisers.
Richmond High School Marching Band in Richmond, Indiana is raising money for new uniforms by selling their old uniforms to band alumni.

New Britain High School Parent Music Association is raising funds with one of the most popular fun fundraisers, the “flock of flamingos.”

North Thurston High School band in Washington state holds an annual rummage sale and car wash.

Cocoa Beach, Florida Band Boosters hold a booth at the local Farmer’s market each weekend to raise funds.

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Entertainment Books are a fundraiser that many schools use every year to raise funds. The books are available in over 150 cities in the United States and Canada. They offer coupons for local restaurants, retailers, movie theatres and other merchants. Many fo the coupons are 50% off coupons or Buy one get one Free.

The Brevard Schools Foundation, a non-profit organization in Florida that supports local schools uses the Entertainment Book as a fundraiser.

The foundation sells the books directly, and in the beginning of the school year, about 50 schools recruit students to sell them to family, friends and neighbors.

Entertainment Book fundraisers brought in $138,000 for participating Brevard schools last year, Clifton said.

(From FloridaToday.com)

Schools usually sell these books between September and January. For more information about this fundraiser visit the Entertainment website or call 1-888-231-SAVE (7283).

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Coupon books and discount cards are one of the best fundraisers. Why? They are an all around winner for both schools and businesses.

Schools in Catoosa County Georgia agree:

Superintendent Denia Reese commented, “I think the coupon book sale is a win-win opportunity. You can save more than $3,000 by purchasing a $10 coupon book, you will be helping schools purchase current technology for our students, and you will be supporting many local merchants by redeeming their coupons.”

(From the Catoosa County News)

This school used a coupon book that had offers from local businesses. This is a great situation because it not only helps the school but the businesses included in the book. So as the principal says, merchants benefit by increased business. They are also more likely to help your school this way, rather than just give a straight donation.

Sometimes these programs consist of a book of tear out coupons for an unlimited number of merchants. These can be produced locally through a print shop or other provider. Discount Cards on the other hand offer discounts at 10-24 different retailers which are printed on the back of a credit card sized plastic card.

Either way, discount books and cards for local merchants can be a great win-win for everybody.

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Your school could qualify for a grant from the Lowe’s corporation. Their Lowe’s Toolbox for Education is a grant program that gives funds to schools and public school parent teacher groups (PTA, PTO, etc.).

Many of the projects they have funded in the past have a focus on outdoor recreation and learning. Here are the kids of projects that Lowe’s is looking to fund:

Projects that encourage parent involvement and build stronger community spirit will be favored. There is a preference for funding requests which have a permanent impact such as facility enhancement (both indoor and outdoor) as well as landscaping/clean up type projects. In order to qualify for the Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant program, your group must complete the grant application.

Check out the Lowe’s website to find out about the application process. The next deadlines are October 12, 2007 and February 15, 2008. Special note though, once 1500 applications are received per cycle, the application process will end.

Find out more about Lowe’s Toolbox for Education

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This fall in Southern California Fundraising Green will introduce the myGreenSpark Redemption Book as its flagship fundraising product. Simply put, it’s a coupon book with a Green and Healthy twist.

The myGreenSpark Redemption Book will unite consumers with companies and organizations that offer green and healthy products, services and activities, promoting a wholesome and active lifestyle. Each coupon in the book, once redeemed, will provide the user with a “Green Spark” for change. Not only will this Green coupon book educate students and families about how a few small changes in their consumer habits can be a big help to the environment, but it will also lead them to healthy activities and better
eating habits.

Fundraising Green was founded in early 2007 by Jennifer Caronna, a business savvy PTA mom from Long Beach, California. Jennifer, the mother of three daughters ages 6, 11 and 13 has spent the last eight years representing her children’s school PTA in such capacities as PTA President and Fundraising Coordinator.

Jennifer explains the logic behind her new fundraising product, the myGreenSpark Redemption Book, “By melding the popular and profitable coupon book fundraiser with a green and healthy philosophy, we distribute a product to thousands of busy families that not only educates them regarding green and healthy alternatives, but with the discount coupon in hand, we lead them to environmentally sound, conscience consumer
choices. We know that if the families that purchase the book use it to make just a few simple changes towards a greener and healthier lifestyle, the positive impact on our environment and on our children will be exponential.”

To learn more about Fundraising Green visit http://www.FundraisingGreen.com

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