Along the same lines, I'm also a strong advocate of -- when you purchase something tangible -- marking items with a plaque or permanent (professional) sticker or the like.
Example: you buy an Ellison or Accu-Cut machine, get a small bronze plaque you can superglue right on there: "Proudly supplied (funded?) by the XYZ PTO"
Example2: You build a $30,000 playground. Spend $500 more for a long-term plaque or sign: "This playground proudly funded by the hard work and caring spirit of the parents of XYZ School and the XYZ PTO."
Very important to focus on the *results* of your fundraising over the dollars of your fundraising or the particular product you're selling to raise funds.
yes, yes, yes . . .....some parents are so oblivious as to where the fundraising money goes it's hilarious.
Our last day of school was wed and I sent out one final newsletter and included totals from all the fundraising we've done, the gifts we gave to our school with that money and our budget and how it was spent.
I was amazed at the number of parents who came up to me after school and said, "I didn't know PTO paid for all that" or "wow, I can't believe the money we raised on the fall fundraiser"
Now, mind you, ALL YEAR LONG, the newsletters have stated this info, what our goal was and where we wanted the money to go, but for some reason, the very last newsletter was the one that they actually read and the numbers soaked in LOL.
Hopefully, they'll remember these numbers when school starts next year LOL
YES!!!
When you are fundraising you need to have a goal in mind. You also should publicize why you are raising money!
Don't just fundraise to fundraise.
Are you buying playground aquipment? How much will it cost? Have the amount you are looking for in your flyer. (for whatever you need).
After your fundraiser is over- you should let everybody know if you made your goal or not. If you made your goal- Publically thank everybody- if not- thank them anyway, then say you will be doing something else (later in the year) until you meet your goal.
One thing I have found out- no matter what you are raising money for- tack the words "and PTA/PTO projects throughout the year" to it. It will allow you to spend the money on other things as well as funding your improvement project.
