If you\u2019ve ever volunteered at your school\u2019s PTA\/PTO, you know the difference good planning makes. With so many responsibilities to juggle, it can be tempting to fly by the seat of your pants and hope for the best. Even if it makes money, a poorly planned school fundraiser can do more damage than good by turning off future volunteers or donors.<\/p>\n
In\u00a0this blog, you\u2019ll learn more about:<\/p>\n
Planning a school fundraiser can be time-consuming and stressful, but with the right guide, you can leave your volunteers feeling appreciated and motivated, instill confidence in your donors, and have fun along the way. Oh, and make a lot of money for your school!<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re a seasoned volunteer or new to your school\u2019s PTA, the following steps will help you take the guesswork out of your next fundraiser.<\/p>\n
The biggest mistake you can make when planning a school fundraiser is trying to do everything yourself. If you\u2019ve found yourself in a leadership position, start off by organizing a core group of PTA members or volunteers who can help you during the initial\u00a0planning process.<\/p>\n
Depending on your specific fundraising goals, there may come a point later where you need to coordinate a larger group of volunteers \u2013 for example, if you\u2019re running a bake sale or\u00a0fun run<\/a>\u00a0that will require additional event day staff. At this stage, just worry about putting together 3-5 people who can share the initial work of budgeting, brainstorming fundraiser ideas, and task management.<\/p>\n Planning a fundraiser without goals is like sailing a ship with no destination. Not only are you likely to waste a lot of time, but you\u2019ll probably end up with a \u201ccrew\u201d of confused volunteers. Fundraisers work best when they are tailored to specific financial goals, which usually means tying them to a particular project, such as a new STEM program. Knowing your goals from the outset will also help you decide\u00a0what type of fundraiser(s)\u00a0to pursue.<\/p>\n Make sure you have clear answers to the following questions before committing to a fundraising campaign:<\/p>\n It\u2019s not a bad idea to\u00a0communicate with school staff and executive board members<\/a>\u00a0for insights on fundraising goals and budgeting.<\/p>\n Once you know what you\u2019re raising money for and how much money you\u2019ll need, the next step is to set your budget for the campaign. Just like with your fundraising goals, your budget will somewhat dictate what kind of fundraiser you\u2019re able to pursue and what resources you\u2019ll be able to invest in to make it happen, such as\u00a0school fundraising software.<\/a><\/p>\n The best approach to planning a school fundraiser is to collect funds from multiple campaigns throughout the year. Many PTAs will raise money through year-round campaigns such as\u00a0spirit wear sales<\/a>\u00a0while also holding events, often annual\/recurring ones, a few times a year for specific projects.<\/p>\n Again, it\u2019s a good idea to consider your fundraising goals, budget, and resources when brainstorming fundraising ideas. Some fundraisers are more profitable than others; some are more hands-on, while others require fewer volunteers. Finally, you may find that members of your planning committee are especially good fits for certain types of fundraisers over others. Rather than being a limiting factor, this can help you choose a fundraiser that actually puts your volunteers\u2019 talents to use, making the work more fun and engaging for everyone.<\/p>\n The good news is there really is a fundraiser out there for every type of project\u2014it just takes a little research. You can use\u00a0our guide<\/a>\u00a0to learn more about all the different fundraising options at your disposal.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve got your destination, it\u2019s time to plot your roadmap. You want to have a clear timeline for each step of the process, mapping out exactly when each of the following will happen:<\/p>\n This is a rough list \u2013 your timeline may look slightly different depending on your fundraiser. The important thing is to have everything carefully mapped out so that you can stay on task throughout the campaign.<\/p>\n Once you know what type of fundraiser you\u2019re going to have, you\u2019ll need to put together a crew of volunteers. A good rule of thumb is to use\u00a0parent volunteer forms<\/a>\u00a0to create a bank of potential volunteers on call when you need them. These forms should include not just basic contact info but also volunteer availability, schedules, skills and interests; that way, you can tap helpers who will be the best fit for your event.<\/p>\n Remember that volunteers are the backbone of your fundraiser. When\u00a0coordinating volunteers, make sure to communicate needs clearly, follow up regularly, delegate tasks, treat everyone with kindness and respect, and thank your volunteers during and after the event.<\/p>\n School fundraising software has been a lifesaver for PTAs\/PTOs and school staff, saving hundreds of volunteer hours and helping schools raise more money more efficiently than ever. The right school fundraising platform can be an incredibly worthwhile investment, so consider factoring this into your budget.<\/p>\n Different platforms exist for different types of fundraisers, and some are more specific while others are designed to be highly customizable all-in-one solutions.<\/p>\n Your fundraiser can\u2019t make any money if no one knows about it! When planning your school fundraiser, decide how and when you\u2019re going to start promoting the event. When the time comes, use every channel available, including:<\/p>\n If you decide to use a school fundraising platform, look for one that lets you share easily to social media, text, and\/or email.<\/p>\n The work isn\u2019t over once the event ends. After your fundraiser, make sure to thank your volunteers, donors, and any partners who helped make the fundraiser happen. Not only is it the right thing to do, but you\u2019ll likely need their help again in the future!<\/p>\n It\u2019s also a great idea to reconvene with your planning committee to debrief about what went well and what could be improved for next time.<\/p>\n Booster makes school fundraising easy and fun by walking you through every step of planning a school fundraiser. Our platform is totally customizable, and our caring, enthusiastic team is always at the ready to answer your fundraising questions.\u00a0Find out how Booster can help<\/a>\u00a0you take your school fundraising to the next level.<\/p>\n Related Resources:<\/p>\n2. Define your fundraising goals.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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3. Determine your budget.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Choose a type of fundraiser that fits your needs.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. Create a timeline for your campaign.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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6. Coordinate volunteers.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
7. Find the right fundraising platform.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
8. Promote your campaign.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Final tips<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Booster\u00a0Has Your Back<\/strong><\/h2>\n