Thanks again for reading! Stay in touch!

You have raised an excellent point. I do think that “pop-up” fundraising (great expression!) should be factored into a fundraising plan. I think that, unless means are just too limited, provision should be made for some form of giving to a third party organisation in need, not least because it teaches our children very important principles.

Alternatively, a decision can be made at the beginning of the year to give 10% of all money raised for a school to other groups in need, and then this can be allocated periodically throughout the year.

Keep up the good work Jim,
Mandy
The Fundraising Directory (Australia)

I printed a copy of your article for our new school Superintendent, Mark Heid before I even emailed you!

I told my twin sister, Roneé, that I felt every Principal in our school district should read it. (She is co-President of our Primary School PTO this year and has already made some positive changes, in my opinion.) I think your article will be well received, Mr. Heid is a “back to basics” sort and I appreciate what he has done for our district.

I’m glad my sister stumbled on to your site! I look forward to reading more of your articles!

Warmest Regards,
Rogena

Thanks so much for writing. I really appreciate your comments. Your feelings on this matter are felt by so many parents in both public and private schools.

I encourage you to talk to your school administrators and share with them your feelings. If enough people speak up, hopefully, someone will listen.

Fortunately I was a dad before I was a principal, so I felt the parents’ pain!!!

Thanks for writing!

Jim Berigan

I am a single mother with two children and it becomes quite expensive to PAY every time the school solicits money. I don’t mind teaching my children values but I refuse to prostitute them for the “charity” of the week . . . If the school wants to teach them about heart health then that’s great but why is it necessary to raise $50 in “donations” to get a t-shirt. If they don’t raise it, then they are treated as a failure. Now what are they being taught. A value I don’t like.

Life isn’t ALL about money. School shouldn’t be either. It is supposed to be a haven and place of learning for our children. Schools would be lucky to have more principals like you, Mr. Berigan.

On the other hand, a fundraiser can be a good activity if the focus is more the educational opportunity for the children. Certain activities (whether they are fundraisers or not) can help kids to learn about other cultures, empathy and the value of giving. But the focus shouldn’t be only fundraising or the amount raised.