Money... About This Page:

[macrosswife]

Hello, Michelle!!

I teach at a private school, and we've had several very successful fund raisers that have become annual events. Our biggest is a Christmas marketplace. We ask vendors to come in from all over the state and even the Southeast. Another school does a variation on the same theme, only theirs are all hand-made items donated by the parents.

The second big fund-raiser is an auction. Because we're a private school, we're able to auction off things like art, jewelry, etc. (And yes, we did raffle off a car: a convertible BMW!) But a few ideas you could use...does anyone own a time-share condo or house? We auction off a week at the condo. We also have groups of parents who get together to buy an item to be auctioned. It ran the extremes: From a week in the rainforests of Brazil to offering their home and cooking skills for a dinner party of six. One teacher known for her bread-making auctioned off a year's worth of bread. The cheerleaders auctioned off a birthday party (they came, taught cheers, gave the birthday girl a pom-pom). AND-each grade level created an item to be auctioned off. We have about 60 students at each grade level, and each parent was asked to donate a certain amount of money. One grade painted a pair of Adirondack chairs. One grade painted a set of dishes. (You get the idea.)

Our third is a golf tournament. For reasons I will *never* understand (because I don't get golf to begin with!!) our community loves golf tournaments. So-where I live, if you want a good fund-raiser, host a golf tournament!!

Well! This was long-winded!!

If you have any specific questions, let me know! If I don't have the answers, I can track down someone who does!!

Good Luck!!
-Kimber

[m_green]

Kimber~

Thanks for the ideas. I think a golf tournament would go over well here, but I'm like you, I have never understood it! I also really like the idea of the Christmas Marketplace. That also sounds like a great idea, and something that could be done each year. Do you hold that at your school, or do you rent a different place? I think if we did something like that, we'd have to find a place to hold it... maybe the fairgrounds.

We are having a meeting on Thursday where we may get a chance to talk about this, and if not, we will have a meeting in a couple of weeks where we will be discussing ideas.

One of our private schools here has an auction in April each year. I know they make a lot of money doing it each year. I'm afraid to try it to since it might lose it's appeal for both schools. Does that make sense?

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Michelle



6/88 - Off property
6/94 - Contemporary
9/98 - Port Orleans
1/01 - Beach Club
??/01 - ??

[WildForWD]

Hi Michelle,
Boy did you get involved in a BIG project!!!
You have a lot of good ideas here!
Lets try and bring this "off topic" item back "on topic"!!
Get some local business & radio stations to donate some cash to put together a Disney Trip!!
This could be an incredible raffle! Not only could you generate local interest but nation, even worldwide interest!! For such a good cause I would buy a ticket!!
Something else to check out in the cities are your "major" companies. Some may do matching contributions for charities. This could help increase your intake considerably!
Good Luck!! And let me know if you do a Disney raffle!!


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WildForWD
...you must face the age of not believing
...until at last you start believing there's something wonderful in you!!

WildForWD

[debe]

Hey WildforWD....... That is a FANTASMIC idea! r_m_green, make sure when you get these tickets printed to put "You need not be present to WIN!" Let us know if they go for this idea!

Forgot to add.... think I will go pack a bag now as I feel lucky!

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HAPPY PLANNING! &
"Remember the Magic!"
ºoº
Take Care, debe-nj

[This message has been edited by debe (edited 04-25-2001).]

[Fortissimo]

Bingo is a huge money raiser. Does your town have a Bingo hall? If so, they are probably looking for groups to work in return for money.

A few suggestions - If you do the raffle for a car (which would be great) or any other prizes, check with your state gaming regulations. Some states, such as Colorado, consider raffles a form of gambling, therefore you must have a special license.

Also, try to stay away from doing several small fund raisers. Parents get tired of having to sell items and neighbors get tired of all the kids asking them to buy the same items. Two or three larger fund raisers might be harder to put together, but in the long run will be more productive.

Isn't it sad when parents and schools have to supplement funding for education with fund raisers? Here in Colorado we are in the same boat. DH and I haven't even had a cost of living raise in about 5 years (however, I would rather make less money if it means keeping programs for the kids). Colorado has no problems passing tax increases for football and baseball stadiums, but won't pass the bonds for schools.

I'll get off my soap box now.

Good Luck!

[macrosswife]

Michelle: We rent the ballroom at the local civic center. The other school, to the best of my knowledge, does it in their gym.

WildforWD: GREAT idea!!

Fortissimo: Good points! (In fact, they just announced this week they are cutting one of the fund raisers!)


Good Luck!!
-Kimber

[m_green]

Great idea Wild!

I was trying to figure out how to do a raffle for a trip to WDW, but I didn't think any travel agency would go for it.

I never thought of asking business to donate towards it... GREAT IDEA!!

The coach at our high school did a lot of fundraising for a new stadium (imagine grass, some parking, and a few bleachers~ not a huge Stadium!) and they raffled tickets and airfare to a NFL game. The point of that is I think we'll be okay with the raffle, but I honestly didn't even think about having to have a special license. Always better to think of that before than after!

I definitely agree with a few big fundraisers, and not a bunch of small ones. There are only 120+ students in the school, and I don't want anyone to feel like we are always asking for money or for them to sell something.

You guys are great! I'll keep you posted on what we come up with.

Michelle

[m_green]

I just thought of another idea... an offside of Wilds... how about we go for two trips... one to WDW, and one to Disneyland?





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Michelle



6/88 - Off property
6/94 - Contemporary
9/98 - Port Orleans
1/01 - Beach Club
??/01 - ??

[Ursunique2001]

I think the raffle idea is a good one. Most times when people know that the proceeds will benefit children they buy them even if they are not really interested. When my son was in daycare they raffled off a turkey around Thanksgiving. You'd be suprised at all the people who bought tickets for that one 15 lb turkey.