I agree that the definition of successful varies. For us, this was successful as we were killing two birds with one stone: We got the website that we wanted to discuss community issues and were able to generate funds. The first year, we grossed just over $10k with $9500 of it being profit. At the time, their prices were cheaper and it cost us just $500/year instead of $1000. The second year we did about $4k and we're currently in the 3rd but their prices doubled because they added more features and made other enhancements.
The nice thing about this program is that if the people in your organization use it, their is a continual revenue stream. It also provides forums where parents can discuss their school specific concerns anonymously.
We're pleased with it because it is a continual fundraiser that requires very little work and it's a great website builder. If we can generate 4-5k a year and have a website for free, it's worth it in my eyes.
Our biggest other source of revenue is a road race that we have once a year. Though it is a big winner all around, it requires a ton of participation and solicitation. Plus, you have to get permits etc.
Have you thought of creating an ad book and sell ad space to local businesses? We do this in our directory and make quite a bit of money. It pays for the printing and much more.
We held our first Bowlathon Bash this past Sunday and it was fantastic. Our families like fundraisers that they can participate in. We raised over $6100 in pledges and corporate sponsorships for the lanes. After expenses we will clear about $4500. Our families are already asking about next year. It was a very family friendly event.
We had a minimum of $30 in pledges to be eligible to bowl and this helped cover the cost of the bowling alley and raffle prizes. We raised $200 for the raffle prizes which more than covered the cost. By requiring a minimum pledge we knew we would not lose money on the event.
We also have very good success with Cookie Dough and Wrapping Paper but our family feedback has been for more interactive fundraisers. We don't want to stop the fundraisers that work but we want to add in things that our families really enjoy.
YES! Our fundraiser was horrible! Last year they made well over $2000 on our catalog fundraiser. We hoped for $1,000 because of the economy and we only made $750. We are thinking of cookie dough and pies for next year but we haven't done a carnival for profit before and we are going to do that, selling t-shirts and also starting up a school spirit store... I am hoping for the best. We don't want to ask parents to have to sell more than one time/year. IF we do go with a catalog sale this year, it will be a regional company that sells local products.
Oops. Sorry, I didn't mean to send that message at all. What I meant to convey was that what we are doing is trying to find different revenue streams. We went over the top with the credit education system because we had the funds to float it and were in the need of a website anyway.
However, I think it's unwise to rule out affiliate marketing as a means of revenue generation. If you have a website, why not maximize its potential? It doesn't hurt to add links to popular sites for life's necessities...airline tickets, etc.
Parents are going to get these things anyway. Why shouldn't the school be the one that benefits?
