Fundraisers Going Green
July 15th, 2008 by tsullivanWall Street Journal today covers several new fundraising options with a green theme. PTO Today’s expert take on fundraising trends included.
As you’ll see in the article, to me the #1 measuring stick has to be whether the product and company will work as a money-maker, because all the good work you do in your school depends on the earnings you pull in from your fundraiser. Yes, it would be nice to sell only all-natural, recyclable products that also cure homelessness, but that can only be a factor if the fundraiser also works as a fundraiser.
Same key questions should be asked of a green product as a less-green (more traditional product): will it sell? how much will we make? what’s the customer service like? what are return policies? do you have references? how are the forms and delivery and incentive programs handled? etc. The fundamentals remain the same. Fundamentals? Here’s a story we wrote 6 or 7 years ago on the basics of running your traditional sales fundraiser.
Have you used (or are you considerig using) a “green” fundraiser?
July 16th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Our elementary school did a successful fundraiser with Greenraising last year. It was the easiest $2,000 we ever raised! The wonderful people at Greenraising made everything so easy for us, and our families love the products as much as the concept. For the coming school year, we are hoping to get even “greener” by trying Greenraising as a web-based sale, thus avoiding using paper catalogs.
July 16th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
I am looking to find green fundraisers, wrapping paper - recycled and other ideas. Is there a list of whom I may contact?
Debbie
Weinberg Elementary PTO
July 19th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
WOW! A business from my area was featured in this article. I had no idea they did fund raising. I’ve been seriously thinking about promoting a “green” fundraiser to our board. One that is local and eases our footprints is even better!
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Quick follow-up to my blog post here, as I’ve received a couple of private emails on this. My wise-guy remarks about healthy or green fundraisers were not meant to dismiss those fundraisers.
I do believe that the fundraising fundamentals are the most important things (pricepoint, service, delivery, profit potential), but I should have made the point that — if those things are in place — then a hot or topical (like Green) product is a great tie-breaker or addition.
Tim
July 24th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Hi Debbie - check out the green/eco-friendly category in our Yellow Pages - http://www.ptotoday.com/yellowpages/category/green-ecofriendly/
The message boards might also help. Lots of folks sharing ideas and resources.
Kathryn
July 25th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I’ve always wanted to know– how much money do teacher spend each year on field trips? How much of the field trip budget comes form the schools, and how much do you have ask parents for?
July 26th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Schwegler Elementary (Lawrence, KS) - we sold CFLs, compost bags, and organic cloth shopping bags. Not as much money made as typical candy or wrapping paper but pretty big impact on kids thinking about what they do to impact the planet. A bonus in our area was the added financial donations we rec’d from local businesses, a foundation, and individuals who really liked the idea of green. So that money helped to cover some of the lower sales.
One post listed some fundamentals - considering the future of our planet - I’d throw in how it will get the kids to think about what is happening to our planet.
August 20th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
As the Co-President of Parent Association, I must applaud Greenraising’s efforts.
There is nothing more empowering for the kids as well as the parents to be part of solution to today’s issues, instead of contributing to them.
Greenraising products offer excellent choices to living a carbon neurtal lifestyle.
Not only are we supporting companies that are also part of the solution, but we are also making money for our mission minded school: Unity Charter School, mission of sustainability, Morristown, NJ. http://www.unity-nj.org
We have conducted three web-based drives and we have been very satisfied with all aspects of the order.
Keep up the excellent work Greenraising!!
Extensive research goes into all their products to ensure they are truly eco-friendly, not greenwashed products.