Connecting Schools With Great Fundraising Ideas.

In previous blog posts here at TopSchoolFundraisers, I have recommended, quite strongly, that you, as a school fundraiser, are smart about what you are raising money for.

I have even gone so far as to suggest that you conduct a survey of the teaching staff, the administration, and the parents before you ever think of actually starting a new fundraising campaign.

The reason for this survey would be to make sure that everyone, or at least a majority of the people, are on board with what you’re trying to raise money for. If you don’t have “buy-in” from the people who are supposed to be writing the checks, the following will happen:

• Your fundraiser will fail to raise the money you need
• You, as a fundraising volunteer or employee, will look dumb for putting out a half-baked idea
• You’ll get parents all riled up and risk losing their support for future fundraisers
• You’ll make the school look like it’s out of step with the wishes of the families continue reading

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One of the most popular posts on this blog over the past two years has consistently been “You’ve Been Flocked by the Famous Flamingo Fundraiser”.

In case you haven’t read this article or you are unfamiliar with what a flamingo fundraiser is, the concept is this: a non-profit, many times a school group, will purchase several pink plastic flamingo lawn ornaments. (By several, I mean, like, well over 100.)

Click here to enroll in Jim Berigan’s FREE year-long school fundraising e-Course!

Then the members of the group will place these flamingos in the front yard belonging to a family in their organization. This is usually done under the cover of darkness, so that when the family wakes up the next morning, they are surprised to see the new flock on their lawn.

The group will also leave the family a “ransom” note, which makes clear the details of the fundraiser once again. The letter also explains that the birds will be removed for a fee/donation of $20 (or whatever affordable amount the group chooses). This money will be passed along to the school or the charitable organization. Along with the ransom note, the group includes a donation envelope that can be picked up when they return to collect the flamingos.

This process is repeated for several nights in a row. All of this is done in good fun, and if a family really doesn’t want to pay up, the group will remove the flamingos without charge, but with frowns on their faces, of course.

Many non-profit groups have tried this novel fundraising event with terrific success. Not only do they raise a lot of money, but they also have a great time planting the flamingos, which builds up a wonderful community spirit.

So, if your school would like to try Flamingo Fundraising, here are ten helpful hints to make it safe, enjoyable, and profitable. continue reading

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Are you looking for a new and fun way to raise money for your school?

Are you concerned about losing too high a percentage of your fundraising income back to the company you’re working with?

Are all the other organizations in your community doing the cookie dough and the candy bar fundraiser, and you want something that will set you apart?

Are you getting the message from your school families that they want to buy something that they will actually use?

Well, FastTrack Fundraising has a great solution that will answer all of the above concerns and will get your school earning right away!

The product is called Spinners. Here’s how it works: continue reading

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Offer discounted magazine subscriptions to people who would like to support your school or other group.

Parents, families and students just go online to order their favorite magazines and 40% goes to the school. These magazines are all offered at discounted prices – up to 95% off newsstand prices – so it’s a great deal for everyone.

Parents or students simply enter email addresses of friends and family into the online system.  A personalized email is then automatically sent out inviting them to order magazines through your group’s customized website. The magazine company processes and sends all the orders.  Your students or parents do not have to handle money or fulfill these orders!

Just be sure to promote your fundraiser with publicity efforts, making sure all the families in the school know about the discount magazine subscription fundraiser.  Remind them several times throughout the year, especially before gift giving holidays, about the program to increase your success.

Find Out More About a Magazine Fundraiser

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1. Let your sellers and supporters know ahead of time about the sale. Make sure they know how much their support is appreciated.
2. Create specific goals for the fundraiser. How much money needs to be raised? How many tubs per person will need to be sold to reach this goal?
3. Set a reasonable time limit for getting all the orders in from participants.
4. Offer prizes for participants who sell the minimum amount.
5. Create a “challenge” to motivate your sellers.
6. Take the catalogs to work.
7. If your organization is short the minimum order, the group can fund the difference and sell them later.
8. Use extra cookie dough supply or buy extra to make cookies. Sell cookies at a bake sale, sports game, at school, or anywhere there are people! If your baking oven is near your selling table it’s even better — people can’t resist when they smell the warm aroma of cookies baking.

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