Lisa - I already have the leader pack and parent involvement. We are sending a survey to all of the parents with the progress reports on 1/6/10. After that we will schedule a meeting to elect a board and get going officially.
Looks like we are going for an end on the year party/festival. I am concerned about having the funds to put it on. Maybe a small fundraiser prior to that would help. Also not sure how fast we need to file for a 501(c)(3).
There are a few challenges these days with respect to fundraising and doing too much of it is high on the list.
I would suggest limiting fundraising as much as possible to just a few big organized fundraisers. Having said that, a plan up front will be important. After years of offering fundraisers to elementaries, it has become apparent that one well-promoted fundraiser per semester works great.
In the fall most schools do a catalog sale with gifts and wrap and such and in the spring cookie dough is amazing. Auctions and other events will be incredible if they are organized and well executed. I am not sure you want to start off with a volunteer intensive fundraisers but if you do, you can start a yearly tradition like a annual auction, fun run, carnival, concert, movie night or other event which can be popular year after year.
I know there are many ways to approach fundraising but you have a good opportunity to make your first fundraiser wildly successful if you concentrate some efforts into it instead of just doing something for the sake of getting started. You will likely see a lot of support the first time you hold your fundraiser regardless of the type of fundraiser it is so by using a more popular fundraiser, you will benefit from a large number of additional sales.
So, to sum up, start with a fundraiser with some buying choices like a fall or spring catalog, frozen cookie dough or if you feel motivated an event. If your first fundraiser is a single product like garbage bags or something (no offense garbage bag folks), you will not sell as much.
I think you will find that in the end, one well-promoted professional fundraiser will exceed the profits of several smaller fundraisers all put together. If you feel the need, the garbage bags can be introduced to the mix later once you have some consistency and financial stability for the PTO.
I wanted to highlight a program in the involvement kit -- It's called the
2 hour Power Volunteer Pledge program
. It's a simple way to get parents in your school connected to your group and school community.
I know your specific question is about getting fundraising going but it's kind of a horse and a cart thing -- before you can be successful in fundraising, you need to build community. Recently, Tim (long time school volunteer and PTO Today founder) talked about how successful parent groups approach fundraising in this video: www.ptotoday.com/ptoblog/parent-involvem...ndraising-decisions/
Kim, you could just have a fundraiser. Most companies don't require any out of pocket expenze. In the end, you will just send them a check for what you owe them. We just had a small fundraiser, used soy candles and raised over $1000. I found soybyamy.com and they were so easy to work with. You could also ask a local business to give a percent back to you and send your families there. I have used a local green house in the past and that would be a great idea for the spring.
I am working with a few other parents on starting a new PTO at my child's elementary school. So far I have paid for all copying expenses and done most of the work.
How do I start fundraising to just get us going? I am able to put in the hours, computer work and drive involvement; however, financially I am limited. I would appreciate all suggestions, and advice.
