Band Fundraisers: Marching Band, High School and Middle School/Junior High Bands

There is something truly inspiring about hearing your school's fight song played by a band right after your team has scored a touchdown. Try to imagine a football game without the big brass sound. My kids insist on sitting as close to the band as possible whenever we go to watch our hometown heroes on Friday nights in the fall.

As much as we love watching and listening to the band, the effort that goes into making it all come together is amazing. And it is expensive. Instruments, uniforms, travel expenses, and other related costs combine to make the band one of the most expensive organizations in a school system to fund.

With schools facing budgetary cutbacks in many districts across the country, many bands are looking for creative ways to meet their financial needs. Below are five suggested fundraising opportunities to help bands raise the money necessary to keep you pumped up during those games.

1. Sous-a-thon

"Thons" are a trusted tool in the fundraiser's toolbox. The concept is simple: band members seek support in the form of financial pledges for the amount of time they commit to play their instruments in one setting. This event could be staged at a time and place where the public could really enjoy the event, such as a community pavilion on a beautiful Saturday in the summer.. Volunteer parents could even "work" the crowd for spontaneous donations while the people stop and listen. Not only is this a great opportunity to raise money, but it also improves the reputation and renown of the band.

2. Battle of the Bands Concert

One novel idea to raise money for the school band would be to work in collaboration with your school's greatest rival. Band directors from both schools could arrange a public competition between the two bands. This could become an annual event and rotate "home" field advantage every other year. The actual competition could include not only musical skill, but also marching precision and even cheerleading events. This could almost be a battle to see which school has more school spirit. Students from each school would flock to the event, given the intense rivalry, and the two bands could split the "gate" receipts and all concession sales.

Although this would be difficult to judge, perhaps a band director from a different school altogether could serve as an impartial ear. There could be an annual trophy awarded for the winner that travels back and forth between schools, depending on who won in each year, sort of like the "Little Brown Jug" in college football.

3. Flamingo Fundraiser

Here is a fun and unique fundraising event that could work very well with school bands, given that there are usually so many people involved. In January of 2008, I wrote a detailed post about Flamingo Fundraisers, which you can read in its entirety here. However, a brief synopsis of the event is as follows.

Basically, the band would purchase a number of plastic pink flamingo yard ornaments. Then they would chose a family they knew and under the cover of night sneak the flamingos and place them in the front yard of that family. They would leave a ransom note stating that they would not remove the birds unless the family paid $20 or some other predetermined amount. Or, the amount could be left open in hopes of receiving larger than expected donations.

Regardless, once the family paid up, they would have the option of choosing the next family to be targeted. This process can continue for as long as the band sees fit. Also, more than one "flock" of birds can be in motion at one time. This has the effect of doubling or tripling the income.

Lastly, before the event kicks–off, "flock" insurance certificates can be purchased by families for $50 or so. This insurance guarantees that no flamingos will "accidentally" land in their yard. This is a fun event that builds teamwork and camaraderie within your organization. Since there are so many people passionate about their school band, including local alumni, the list of people who could be flamingo "targets" is very high.

4. Special Collection at the Football Games

The place that most people associate the band with is the football field or maybe the basketball court. This is the area in which the band really shines. Therefore, I think it is logical to think about trying to raise money for the band while at the games. I would suggest speaking to the athletic director of your school and coming up with creative ways to raise money for the band from the people in attendance at the games. This might be a special collection at the gate or by the concession stands, or through a raffle sale of some variety.

Such an undertaking would, of course, have to happen under the supervision of the athletic department, but since the band is so closely ties to these events, it seems like a reasonable partnership.

5. Product Sales

In a slightly different approach, there are a number of very reliable and proven fundraising methods available to groups such as a school band. From this website, you can investigate cookie dough sales and chocolate bars (popular with many maching bands) just to name just a few.

Product sales have a track record of results when a strong effort is invested. As with any fundraising activity, however, you will want to do some homework to find out what other groups are holding product sales and when, so you don't conflict with them.

Conclusion

Having the necessary funds for a school band is vital to the overall spirit of the school. Fortunately, the school band naturally has a positive reputation in the community and it can trade on that good name with a variety of fundraising strategies. Whatever method of fundraising you think is right for your group, I urge you to put as much gusto into it, as you do when you blast out the touchdown anthem!

Connecting Schools With Great Fundraising Ideas.

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