I know it can feel like you are always begging for money, but it doesn't have to be that way! I agree with MIDad that doing something once a month is too frequent. Is there a way to key in on just a few fundraisers that have been somewhat successful and focus on making them more successful? Then you could drop a few of the less successful fundraisers. --You could have just two or maybe three a year that lion's share of money-making. I talked to one school recently that goes all out on a cookie dough fundraiser at the beginning of the year and that is basically the fundraiser for the year.
The cash donation request is a double-edged sword. You might get a nice chunk of change up front, but then you could also find that those parents check out for the rest of the year. If you are trying to cultivate volunteers and build a community, you probably won't get it from just asking for cash.
I think a letter asking for cash is a fine idea, provided it includes a promise that it'll be your last appeal for money until at least next school year, if not 2013. Once a month is just way to often to be raising money. Even the most aggressive charities don't ask me for money more than two or three times a year. I suggest you cut WAY back, to no more than one fundraiser in fall and one in spring, and work to make them more effective than your monthly drives. Make a big splash about this change, and focus on the good you do and the fun you let people have instead.
We have had a tough time raising funds this year. We hear complaints that every week we are having a fund raiser. Although we only do it once a month there are many organizations doing fund raisers so I am sure it is happening at least once a week if not more. What we are thinking about doing is putting together a letter flat out asking for cash donations. Maybe flyers that go to every resident in the school zone. This takes less work than planning an event.
Has anyone done this before? Was it successful? Any tips?
