Fundraising

Many schools conduct fundraisers for a variety of functions and needs which fall outside of what the school budget is able to cover.  Many school clubs also hold fundraisers to help pay for club expenses and needs. 

BRIEF SUMMARY

Many schools conduct fundraisers for a variety of functions and needs which fall outside of what the school budget is able to cover.  Many school clubs also hold fundraisers to help pay for club expenses and needs.  Some school and club fundraisers are annual and ear marked for a specific cause/need and some may be planned on an as needed basis.  Many of these annual fundraisers raise funds in the same way, i.e., from the annual sale of baked goods, catalog items, plants. garbage bags, etc. Many schools also participate in annual giving as a form of character education, such as the entire school community raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Fundraisers can be a great way for students to get involved in philanthropic giving and learning more about the needs in their community and the world.

KEY POINTS

  • Fundraisers for schools and/or school clubs can be annual or as needed, to help fund an emergent cause.
  • Fundraising, such as for medical research or to help provide essentials for low-income families and students, can be a great way to enhance student character education.
  • Sometimes proven fundraising activities can get stale over time. Be creative, try new things and be persistent.
  • The budgets for schools are getting tighter and tighter and fundraising can be a way to help supplement the school budget.

RESOURCES

SHARED WISDOM

  • We are needing to raise funds (fairly quickly) to buy Christmas gifts for students in need during this holiday season. (From Counselor Talk, November 2017)
    • Hat or pajama day works well too.  Pass the bucket at a basketball game or stand at the exit doors with signs (make a clever slogan) and buckets.  Have students pay $1.00 to make a “hand print” Christmas tree.
    • Spirit days are usually fairly quick and easy- pay a dollar to wear a hat, etc. Or a contest between homerooms to bring in the gifts/donations. I can buy doughnuts for the whole homeroom for $10 and get tons of donations because of the competitive spirit.
    • Our teachers pay $40 and are allowed to wear jeans the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
  • Many fundraisers focus on large national non-profits.  Schools can also look closer to home to make a larger, more visible impact on their own community.
  • “My son organizes a Warm & Cozy drive for his school. No one needs to buy anything, but they are asked to donate gently used, out-grown winter coats, hats, etc.  for children.  They then donate the items to a center that helps low-income children.  It’s kids helping kids and they learn that there are people just like them that need help.  It’s empowering for them to be able to help kids just like them, right in their community.”

CONTENT FEEDBACK

If you have suggestions, feedback, or resources, please email counselor1stop@inspiresuccess.org and let us know.