Start off with a bake sale. Get donations from other parents of Cupcakes, brownies, rice crispy treats, etc. This is very profitable. Only sell what you receive. Everyone loves Bale Sales.
We also sell fruit caterpillars(grapes on a skewer) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Apples(Granny Smith apples with fruit roll up bandana's) for healthy alternatives for the bake sale.
We have a post scheduled on Facebook for later today to get community feedback on first fundraisers for groups just starting out. Be on the lookout! And I will post the link when the question goes live.
Our PTO started last year and this is our second year. We had a Read A Thon where students got their families and friends and co-workers, etc. to donate money for them to read 30 minutes a day in class for one week.
The only cost is the copy paper and envelopes. Maybe someone could donate. Virtually no out of pocket expense and we raised $2,200.00 for a school of 462 students and low income title one school. Only 80 students participated.
Our board donated the paper and envelopes. This was a 100% profit.
We offered a pizza party for the class with the most money raised. This year we are letting students bring their own device and they can use it for 2 hours that one day this year which will cost you nothing. We are providing refreshments during that time which is minimal and the grocery stores and Walmart may donate the refreshments.
Any questions you can email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Do you plan to publish a student directory? If so, I would suggest that you approach local businesses about advertising in it. That keeps the financial pressure off your parents, and since it's not a donation, it's not a problem that you are not already a 501(c)3 organization.
Start with a take home fundraiser like Claire's Gourmet or Joe Corbi's. Those are of no cost to u to set up and run. It lasts about 2 wks and after money is collected and forms are turned in to the business, they give you the final dollar amount owed. Then you just write the a check for that amount. You'll already have all of the money received and collected, so your bank account will be sitting pretty. Check with your district about how many if any "take home fundraisers" your school is allowed to have each year. In most cases it's only 1 sometimes 2 so you have to be selective about which one you choose. The kids do earn prizes from the company for participation and sale goals.
