Unfortunately this is all too common as many sales reps are simply looking to closing more sales instead of first protecting the programs that they already have. It’s really a shame because signing up schools is only the first step. Wise companies are able to track where they sell their programs and protect their accounts so they can raise more money.

With us it’s first come first serve. Anyone else who wants to work with us gets a different program and sells during a different time period. Properly managing fundraiser density goes a long way towards improving sales for everyone. This is easier said than done.

Clay Boggess
Big Fundraising Ideas

Oh, I almost forgot. We charge $45.00 for our craft show booths, I think it's only fair to do the same for them.

You could even say ...anyone who donated an item for the Silent Auction (We just had our first annual) gets 1/2 off the booth price. You could fill the gym, cafeteria, classrooms. You could incorporate it with your book fair or bake sale. You could sell spirit wear, promote your after school program, etc.

We made $2000 on our craft show booths alone this year. We're also having a "Friends and Family of Sabin Elementary" booth that we have donated items in to sell.

Just some ideas.

Perhaps everyone could share what fundraisers they use. Usually, just something NEW in the school brings people in.

We use FUN SERVICES and they seem to coordinate pretty well in our area. I do believe that alot of the schools use them.

I have an idea--just wondering if any of you have done this in the past.

What about a vendor fair? Call as many vendors as you possibly can to purchase a 10x10 booth, similar to the craft shows, provide educational booths, getaway booths, pampered chef, tupperware, oil change places, massage therapists, etc. They all get a chance to "market" their product, they pay for the booth, ask each of them to donate a gift for a raffle, give away lots of prizes, etc.

Sounds like fun. You could throw in a couple of games for the kids to play and open it up to the community. Kind of like a job fair or a home expo fair, etc.

Any thoughts??

I may try this in the spring. =) Flower vendors, home depot, etc.

For YEARS we tried to sell Entertainment books and were never accepted into the program. Now that they have a competitor they came begging us to sell their books. We did sell both books out of necessity but I don't think it was really financial beneficial for them or for us. I really think that they've flooded the markets in our area.

cechilds - one interesting side note...

A year or so ago, we noticed several of our repeat donors asking us NOT to include their name in a THANK YOU add in the paper. They said everytime that happens, they got innundated with new requests from organizations to help.

So we've abandoned that practice and instead have thank you poster at the event, their names in the programs, send thank you letters, an print an end-of-year "thank you" page in our newsletter that goes home to school families.

It may be different in your community; perhaps they like the public recognition.

We have the same problem in our area. My mother-in-law has my two kids who go to a small public school (just over 400 students) (and Yes, we only raise money for the necessities, school supplies, field trips, etc.) and her daughters three kids who go to a private school all selling the same things, Red Apple, cookie dough, etc. Our PTO is trying to get away from these companies this year because we were disgusted with the cheap prizes given and the low profit margin we got. One thing we are doing right now is getting sponsors for our Harvest Festival booths. The Harvest Festival is free so the money from the sponsors goes directly to the classrooms running the booth to use for supplies or field trips. This is all stated up front and we have received great response -- all most $2000! And this is all profit. The only cost we will have will be for a thank you ad in our local paper and the paper is donating half the cost. If the PTO gets sponsors (and I think we have one already) it will pay for the ad. Our sponsors are paying anywhere from $15 to $100 each.