We do a Knowledge A Thon in February each year. It nets 14-18K.
A list of curriculum based and general knowledge questions is developed by grade level. There are 100 questions. Children collect pledges based on correct answers or flat donations.
It is a fun day, re enforces concepts covered in the classroom. In addition we use an honor society from a local high school to aid in adminstering the tests so they get community service experience. The day of testing we use 100 testers as we try to do each grade in it's entirty but it can be done any number of ways (and we are a huge elementary school).
Before dropping a fundraiser that nets $20K a year, I would suggest trying a new company with just one grade. Do any of your grades do extra fundraising for a play, or a special field trip or something? Use the success, or failure of that to determine whether or not you want to make the switch for the whole school.
I think companies like Innisbrook, Sally Foster and Genevieve's pretty much offer the same types of products and prize programs. The details really lie in how well you are serviced by the local rep.
As far as parent surveys.. search this forum for " surveys" there had been an active thread lately about the pros and cons of sending surveys home to parents...........
We are trying a new idea...backpack fundraiser!! Our PTA is very excited about it! These backpacks exceed the safety guidelines that are published by the American Academy of Pediatrics...they have several styles and colors, the PTA earns $10.00/pack, and no sales tax. We are going to offer them at the end of the year when our parents purchase their supply packets for the next year. When they pick up the packets the backpacks will be with them. They are purchased through a website called The Chronic Pain Store, they have been wonderful to work with!! They can be emailed at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Every parent buys their child a backpack and this website offers a great option! I this fundraiser helps our children as much as the PTA!
Depending on the size of your school the entertainment book is an easy sell. THey are a great company to deal with as far as customer service. The books are there when you want them and they take back what you don't sell or gets damaged. There is no worry to you. It especially works well if you get your Vice principal and teachers on board. Good Luck We made about $10,000 on our sale (we have about 525 families in our school)
:eek: We used Innisbrook for years. Last year the delivery guy bent one of the fence posts with the truck. Our principal called the company to tell them-the fence had been up less than a week. Innisbrook made the delivery man pay to have the fence fixed out of his own pocket. Our principal did not like that the company did not stand by their employee-we did not use them this year. But when we did we typically made $6000
We are actually sick of fundraising and would like to step away from the catalog sales. We are checking into doing a Race For Education. The children get sponsors and run or walk outside for a certain amount of time. Great profit potential. We all hate the usual type of fundraisers and so does our principal. I can't wait to try something new.
