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PTA and PTO groups have many reasons for having school fundraiser events. The reasons range from buying equipment or services for the school that is not in the schools budget, to funding special guest, presentations or field trips. As anyone who has ever headed up a school fundraiser would know, there are unique challenges to running a good and profitable one. 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. To increase parent participation in our school fundraiser we must make every effort to ensure that they are kept in the loop and reminded when events are scheduled and will soon be coming up. Following are 4 ways to help ensure that your parents are informed and on your side to maximize your school fundraiser results. 1.) Start Your Communication With Parents Early in the School Year At the beginning of the year we should send a letter to the parents outlining our plans for any and all school fundraiser events that are planned throughout the year. 2.) After the First Time, Tell Them Again 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 helpful in keeping parents informed of what you are planning but if you really want to keep them in the loop read on. 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 When forms and notices go home that needs to be completed by parents and returned ensure there is a space the parents to write their e-mail address beside the signature line. 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 methods will help you increase participation in your next school fundraiser. Not only of your students, but you will likely find more volunteers from the ranks of the parents that are willing to help.
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AIM Fundraising's website is chocked full of other unique fundraising ideas to increase your fundraising sales and profits. Communicating with parents is only the first thing needed for a successful school fundraiser.
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