Connecting Schools With Great Fundraising Ideas.

In my experience, it’s not uncommon for people who work for non-profits and schools to become very invested in their organization.

We are willing to put up with low pay, no benefits, long hours, and shaky job security all for the cause we are so passionate about.

But what would we be willing to give for the cause? Sure, we do our part when we run fundraisers, but on a non-profit salary, we can never really give extravagantly. Not like we’d like to.

But, are we thinking creatively enough? Is there something in our lives that we could sell and give that money to our organization? A valuable collection? A family heirloom? A closet full of gold bricks?

Getting a little nervous now? I know I would.

I think it would take a real hero to conquer the pride that comes from amassing and maintaining a collection of something special in order to auction it off to the highest bidder.

Well, I want to tell you about one such hero I read about in the Folsom Telegraph Online. (more…)

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Each month, I read dozens of news articles and blog posts about non-profit fundraising.  I am able to write about a few of them, but not nearly everything that catches my eye.

Here are a few links to the articles I liked, but wasn’t able to get to this month.

Enjoy!

- Jim Berigan

A Low-Key Family Event = Way to Recruit Volunteers From the PTO Today Blog

Asking for Money – Thoughts on Elementary School Fundraising From the BelieveJay Blog

Would You Like to Make More Money at Your Next School Carnival? From Everybodyhatesfundraising.com

$4,428 in ‘Tips’ at Don Jose’s Mexican Restaurant Goes to CV Schools From the Castro Valley Patch

Chance to put your own stamp on carnival fun From the Cambridge-News UK

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Here it is, the end of the month once again.  As is my custom, I am posting links to all of the articles I have written for FundraisingIdeas and Step by Step Fundraising.

I hope you take a few minutes to check out these posts and don’t forget to visit our friends over at FastTrackFundraising for all your fundraising needs!

See you in April!

- Jim Berigan

Fundraising Ideas

What Does a Good Fundraiser Look Like?

Even If You’re a Small Non-Profit, Do Things Right

Is Your Non-profit’s Brand Good, Bad, or Ugly?

3 Things to Remember about Fundraising When Gas Prices Skyrocket

5 Fundraising Take-Aways from Last Night’s Celebrity Apprentice

10 Examples of Bad Behavior from Board Members- Part I

10 Examples of Bad Behavior from Board Members- Part II

10 Examples of Good Behavior from Board Members

How to Guard Against Being Let Down by a Volunteer

How a Non-profit Can Make You Feel Like Family

What Did You Learn from Last Year?

Could Your Non-profit Set a World Record?

Big Fundraiser vs. Little Fundraiser

Replicating St. Baldrick’s Success with a Small Non-profit

Do You Have an Elevator Pitch for Your Non-Profit?

People STILL Don’t Get It. Kids Should NOT be Selling Things Door-to-Door!

Step By Step Fundraising

Dare to Dream, By Maureen Carruthers

How to get publicity for your benefit auction: Use auction games and raffles. By Sherry Truhlar

Guest Post: If fundraising is a profession, why are we so angry with our amateur board members? By Gayle Gifford

Interview with Director Of Golf at Treetops Resort, Gaylord, Michigan

Cultivate new supporters fast: A five-week “on-boarding” plan for nonprofits, By Gayle Thorsen

How to Hire a Fantastic Development Director by Amy Eisenstein

Benefit auction ideas: The “correct” way to thank donors by Sherry Truhlar

1 Suggestion to Save Money in Print Advertising

5 Steps to Begin Your Grant Consulting Career, by Betsy Baker

Don’t Make These Fundraising Mistakes, by Sandra Sims

Working with Nonprofits, on Both Sides of the Fence, by Joanna Miles

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Most schools rely on product sales to generate much needed revenue for their programs. These kinds of events are great ways for schools to raise money and accomplish goals. However, there seems to be a growing reluctance by some parents to participate in such sales. Without active and enthusiastic participation, however, product sales cannot succeed.

So, as school fundraising leaders, we have to employ every strategy we can in order to ensure success. Here is a list of 14 ideas to help you maximize your parent participation in product sales events.

1. Limit the Number of Product Sales Per Year
Like anything else, you don’t want too much of a good thing. Realize that most parents have other children involved in other non-profit groups, that are also doing product sale fundraisers. Families only have so much of a budget for this sort of thing. Be considerate in your planning.

2. Clearly Tell Parents the Number and Dates of Each Product Sale for the Year
Parents like seeing that you have a plan. If you can absolutely promise that you are only going to do two product sales this year and they’re going to be in October and May, the parents will be grateful for the advance warning and the consideration you showed them. This helps them plan. (more…)

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This is a guest post written by Nate Jaehnig.  Nate is the owner of AZ Bounce Pro in Arizona, which rents inflatables for school carnivals in his local area.  With his experience in this field, Nate has become very knowledgeable about how many people can actually participate on individual inflatable per hour and how this effects your overall carnival income.  Not all “bouncy castles” have the same earning potential, so read carefully to make sure you are making wise financial decisions. – Jim Berigan

The primary goal of almost every school carnival or fundraiser event is to raise money for a specific cause or organization. Many carnival organizers do not realize one of the best and most effective ways to raise the most amount of money at a school carnival is by maximizing throughput at each ride or activity at their carnival.

What is ride throughput? Throughput is a simple measurement of the number of participants a certain ride, game, or activity can register per unit of time. Throughput is typically measured as a number of participants per hour. It is the single factor that can have the greatest impact on the profitability of a fundraiser or carnival.

You want throughput to be a high number in order to maximize profitability. A high throughput also results in shorter and faster lines at each activity!

When you are assessing which rides or activities to have at your school carnival, throughput should be at the top of your list when evaluating your ride choices. How many participants can you register per hour on any particular piece? Should you go for the inflatable slide or the sumo suits? Throughput will be your guide when you need to make decisions about which activities you want at your event. (more…)

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