Our by-laws actually say that we are not supposed to carry over more than $500 at the end of the year (unless saving for a specific item). I do not know why it was written that way and don't really agree with it. I personally think $5,000 is a more reasonable amount for start up money.
I don't think we could make it-- if we spent over 10,000 from Aug-early Nov. and had nothing coming back into the school.-- But we also do quite a bit early on fun and fundraisers--
Ice cream social welcome back/ Boo Hoo breakfast with giveaways/ Entertainment book sale/ spirit wear/ Mom2Mom sale/ Hallowen dance/ A night with Numbers/ Walk-a-thon/ Movie Night/ McDonald's Nights/ School Store/ Scrapbook crop/Conference Bake Sale and Giveaway-- all these are done by Nov .--- a lot of items -- but a lot are fun and free/ and some are for moms/dads only-- we try not to carry over too much-- since parents wonder why are we fundraising if we have so much left each year-- it's a balance-- I was just surprised that over 9,000 was spent in Sept, Oct, Nov. with not much money coming back in to replace what was spent-- We back off in the spring- and have more our fun events-- some schools I guess do it the other way.
What Tim said is exactly the case with us. We have several expenses such as T-shirts, classroom subscriptions, and assemblies that take up thousands of dollars right as the year gets started. Most of our deposits don't start rolling in until November and that's when I can breath again. It is very predictable and expected.
This will most likely be our toughest year since we decided to set aside $9000, which is $4000 more for the end of this year. Hopefully, we'll be in good shape as we always have been moving forward.
FoxMom;144550 wrote: Wow, it sounds like you need to start your fundraisers sooner-- that's a lot of money going out in the beginning of the year with no re-turn....
I'm glad your budget balanced out though... have a great year.
I actually don't agree altogethjer agree with this. I think it's great when a group can do a ton of its service and impression-building (even if it costs) before raising funds. Makes the impression-building better (hard to connect well when hand is also out) and actually should alos make the fundraising better (because of the connections made early).
It may be a lot of money, but if it's consistent from year to year, then it all evens out. That just sounds like their cycle.
It also depends on what you count as "available". For instance, money we already have earmarked such as to pay for the T-Shirt order or school supplies order (potentially several thousand dollars) would show as part of the balance of a bank account, but it wouldn't be available funds that were withheld from the benefitting the previous year's students. It's simply that the expenses for those hit in late summer/early school year, so you have to plan accordingly.
It's the large bank balance with no particular reason or plan that drives people crazy - me included!
Wow, it sounds like you need to start your fundraisers sooner-- that's a lot of money going out in the beginning of the year with no re-turn....
I'm glad your budget balanced out though... have a great year.
