$15,000 with 200 children is just utterly amazing. Your items must be incredible! Feel free to email me the secret! I've had more no's and no answers than anything so far.

St. Luke, if you do a search on google for Catholic School Grant you might be surprised at the resources available just for you! I'm in a similar situation, but at a Baptist School. Bogged down in research, research, research.

We are small too, so you have to keep the fundraisers to a few quality events. Too many will overwhelm the parents. We have an annual auction - community donated items, invite the public. We are less than 200 students and we raised $15,000. Also a fun fair or carnival. The kids love it. We also do entertainment books.

Iam not sure if cathloic schools can be considered.

Forgot about that factor....you know, what's the worse anyone can say? "no" is not the WORSE word in the world! I wonder what your diocess (ugh I can't spell after 10:00) has for ideas and what kind of guidlines they have too. Very important factor because you don't need you parish priest upset that you recived a huge grant and the Bishop is not happy with you! oops!

I wish I could just search engine these questions, but Catholic schools are different.

We also are at a low income school. We also do the movie night, but not as a fundraiser. We have a good turn out, but after the $75 license fee, and donated refreshments that we serve for $1 we do good to break even.

We do this event as a family fun night, not fundraiser for this reason.

WOW! This is so great. I cant wait to get started . Its a little scary but exciting. I am holding a meeting and going to bring all the shared ideas everyone has given. I hope the rest of the parents will be just as excited as me. I need to first find out about these grants . Iam not sure if cathloic schools can be considered. I will be making a list and figuring out what we should work on first. Goodness it is all so much. But the pay off will should be great. I will keep posting as I get more involved. Thank you and God bless!

First, search this site for other ideas, besides what people will write to you on this tread. Next, get some enthusiasm going and get the word out in your community about your immediate plans. You need to prioritize the schools needs and take them on incrementally. Once you have a core group of people who are like minded, then brainstorm about how to best raise money. Use ideas you find here and one at a time, do them.

I would agree with others who say you should go for the big bucks with grants applications. Are you a 501 (c)3? Most bigger companies won't donate to you unless you are but since you are a Catholic school, could you use the churches umbrella? Not an expert on this... is anyone else?

I have been reading alot about Bill and Melinda Gates foundation and how the focus of their endowments are going to public health and education in the US. Go after that kind of grant, ditto for Apple, Dell, etc.

You have your heart in the right place. I wish you luck.