Hi All -

There was a bad link in our recent email newsletter. If you're looking for the "one fundraiser for a year" thread, it's here: www.ptotoday.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=29;t=001106

Sorry about that.

Tim

We got the idea from this site, so there are others out here who may do it differently. But...

We invited all our students and their dads to come to the school for a donut and juice before school one day in October. The event was free (hence the sizable budget) but limited to about 250 people so we had to ask for rsvps. We had a full-house and so much fun (and budget leftover)that we're doing another one later this month. The dads just eat with their kids and then escort them to class so they can say hi to the teacher and see the room.

We gave away some book store gift certificates the first time, but this month we're asking for a new or gently used book that will be donated to each child's classroom library. A very easy event, requiring about 5 or 6 volunteers for about an hour one morning and one person to do the planning. Cost us actually about $1/person. Well worth the investment. Watch the Bonus Tools page on this website for our flyer. I'll send it to Tim - maybe he'll put it up for others to see.

Your Donuts with Dad function caught my eye. Would you mind sharing how that event was run? Thanks, Rose

Originally posted by Critter:
Rather than send via email, here is the budget we use for our school, grades 2-5, 720 students:

Income
Beginning balance in checkbook $12,251
Scrip $500
Grocery card $2,500
Wrapping paper fundraiser $14,000 (net)
School directory $1,900
Carnival $900
Miscellaneous $880
Total $32,931

Expenses
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Welcome Family Handbook $500
Movie Night $250
Bingo NIght $1,400
Donuts with Dad $850
ENRICHMENT
Art appreciation $550
Assemblies $4,500
Building Extras $1,000
Educational Materials $1,000
Garden Club $400
Principal's discretionary $800
Publishing Center $200
Student Planners 06-07 $1,930
Teacher Reimbursement $4,140
Theme Project $1,500
Testing Snacks $400
Miscelleaneous $200

RECOGNITION
Donations $1,100
End of Year Lunch $720
Character awards $700
New Student lunch $100
Popcorn $100
School Safeties $600
Camp scholarship $500
Staff Appreciation $1,500
Special Dept Grants $3,200
Student Council T's $500
Miscellaneous $120

OPERATIONS
Carrryover required $2,000
Copier usage donation $500
Hospitality/Vol Apprec $350
State Inc. Renewal $25
Last year payables $1,120
Miscellaneous

Total Expenses $32,931

This should all add up. I may have made a typo or two,but we plan our budget so that our total net income equals our total planned expenses. That's why our beginning checkbook balance is included in our income, and our $2,000 bylaw-mandated carryover is considered an expense. In reality, try as we might, we've been lucky to have substantially larger carryovers for the past few years. We always try to spend down closer to our $2,000 goal, but it's surprisingly difficult to thoughtfully spend unplanned money late in the school year (without giving our principal a blank check).

Admittedly, our budget is very detailed, but it is a very clear description of our financial activity. Hope this helps.

We have a form that our school district has for all parent groups no matter what it is called. When we turn in our paperwork that is what is used. It is easier that way for us. And since we don't really have much money that makes it even simplier.

Rather than send via email, here is the budget we use for our school, grades 2-5, 720 students:

Income
Beginning balance in checkbook $12,251
Scrip $500
Grocery card $2,500
Wrapping paper fundraiser $14,000 (net)
School directory $1,900
Carnival $900
Miscellaneous $880
Total $32,931

Expenses
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Welcome Family Handbook $500
Movie Night $250
Bingo NIght $1,400
Donuts with Dad $850
ENRICHMENT
Art appreciation $550
Assemblies $4,500
Building Extras $1,000
Educational Materials $1,000
Garden Club $400
Principal's discretionary $800
Publishing Center $200
Student Planners 06-07 $1,930
Teacher Reimbursement $4,140
Theme Project $1,500
Testing Snacks $400
Miscelleaneous $200

RECOGNITION
Donations $1,100
End of Year Lunch $720
Character awards $700
New Student lunch $100
Popcorn $100
School Safeties $600
Camp scholarship $500
Staff Appreciation $1,500
Special Dept Grants $3,200
Student Council T's $500
Miscellaneous $120

OPERATIONS
Carrryover required $2,000
Copier usage donation $500
Hospitality/Vol Apprec $350
State Inc. Renewal $25
Last year payables $1,120
Miscellaneous

Total Expenses $32,931

This should all add up. I may have made a typo or two,but we plan our budget so that our total net income equals our total planned expenses. That's why our beginning checkbook balance is included in our income, and our $2,000 bylaw-mandated carryover is considered an expense. In reality, try as we might, we've been lucky to have substantially larger carryovers for the past few years. We always try to spend down closer to our $2,000 goal, but it's surprisingly difficult to thoughtfully spend unplanned money late in the school year (without giving our principal a blank check).

Admittedly, our budget is very detailed, but it is a very clear description of our financial activity. Hope this helps.

[ 01-17-2006, 11:18 PM: Message edited by: Critter ]