Frances, I like your book idea! I think even though donations from private companies is a bit harder these days that the worse thing that happens is you call around and hear a few 'no's'.

This thread is very interesting to me so I wrote a post about it on my blog today that I think you may appreciate: believejay.blogspot.com

I'm very concerned these days that parent groups are accepting lower turnout at fundraising events of all types, lowering profit estimates and then blaming the economy without changing the way they do things. I think just a few simple steps can get those profits back up without re-inventing the wheel.

I wanted to pass along this quote because even though there are obstacles, success is still very possible:

'Success in business requires training and discipline and hard work. But if you're not frightened by these things, the opportunities are just as great today as they ever were.' -David Rockefeller

Here's the problem, as I see it from the standpoint of a parent and business man. There is a fine line between raising money for money's sake and, at the very least, coming across like the PTA is doing this for the kids and to benefit families. I am afraid the gap between schools and parents is ever-increasing and it will not be easily repaired.

I agree that the catalog items are too cheap; cookie dough and candy bars are too unhealthy; Christmas shopping? -- again just another means by which to secure money by selling the kids cheap products to give away as gifts that mean nothing. I got my dad a giant plastic paper clip/pen holder/paper holder one year because it was exciting to me to shop on my own at the "Santa's workshop".

A week ago, as a business man I paid 50 dollars to showcase my own safety cards at a fundraiser safety fair for a local elementary school. 10 people showed up. We were also asked to donate $35 dollars worth of items for a raffle. All the vendors did, but do you know who bought all of the tickets? The PTA. And do you know what they did with the plus-50% of our items they won? They turned around and re-sold them at their annual fundraiser auction the next week. I had hoped to win something at that raffle, but saw it go to the PTA yet again. When I expressed disappointment, she excitedly advertised that I could come to the auction and buy it.

Two weeks ago we went to my son's carnival fundraiser. Everything was about money. The teachers filled the kids with excitement about the carnival so many felt pressured to take their kids. But when we all got there it cost 1 - 8 tickets a game; most of the tickets being in that 6-8 ticket range (the tickets were 4 for $1.00. The games lacked excitement and the prizes were extremely cheap. PTA was everywhere selling food, shirts, carnival masks, etc. Everything screamed dollar store. I stood there for a moment and recognized parents paying money they did not have to satisfy their child's excitement. For me to let my boys the three games they wanted -- all for a chance to win a handful of tootsie rolls and stickers, etc -- would have cost me eighteen dollars!

This was more about the experience for my boys than supporting the school to which we had already given so much of money and time to. So we left, went to the store and bought real prizes, and put on our own carnival. We strengthened our family that night, and that is what it is all about.

Again, the problem in all these instances is that the schools are often coming across as caring about their institution over the families that make them up. We've got to get back to old school values, even in this tight economy.

Schools would be better to sell a product they believe in and that is directly beneficial the families they are soliciting than to waste their time doing any other event.

It is for this reason, I have spent much of my time talking to principals and PTAs, trying to get them to try selling these safety cards I designed for this very purpose - to support schools and families at the same time, while respecting both groups need for money. More often than not I am met with skepticism because it is hard for a volunteer group to exert the effort needed to make a change from programs that have always yielded money no matter the negative effect on families. For those that have given it a chance, it is working. And why wouldn't it? You are going to parents -- which we all are -- and letting them know directly or by way of flyer that these safety cards (which teach CPR, Choking, Fire safety, bike safety, safety from drugs, poison, strangers, etc, etc, etc) can be purchased and that x amount goes to your school. The cards fill an immediate and undeniable need. And they are worth the price. So people buy them and it doesn't feel like they are throwing money away. And just like that you have money for the school...and you are helping your families and community. Combine these with a well-planned safety fair and you have an powerful community-family-school relationship building event.

Let's get back to basics and start thinking about the families first. The rest will take care of itself.

Arthur

I agree fundraisers are not working anymore Parents are fed up with all of them me included. However I am PTO president for our elementary we have started trying something new this year (even though we had to have our spring fundraiser because we signed up last year) anyway we create a Christmas store for kids to purchase gifts for their family and friends, and at the end of the store (one week) we take Santa pictures take them to walmart develope them and hand them out at our christmas parties big success. fall carnival big success.
during our bookfairs we raffle off a basket of books and a few novelties from the book fair the night of the school program big sucess, we spent $32 and made $500 raffles are working better for us. we have basket raffles during or field day we have each grade level donate stuff for specicific baskets like hotwheels (one baslet) art/craft basket, candy basket, movie basket. etc..all the merchandise is free because it is donated we purchase the baskets to place the items in so most everything is profit. hope this helps.

We are also tired of selling for profit. This year we are repeating the Carnival (very labor intensive), and partnering with GFS Markets with their Fun Funds program and selling pies in the Fall. I also found a program that will involve the art department where the students create artwork to be judged to appear on our very own postage stamp! An actual US Postage stamp. The program works similar to the Breast Cancer awareness stamp for example. The stamp costs a little more than the usual postage rate, and the proceeds comes right back to the school. I found it online and requested the information... it looks easy and profitable. Even local businesses would benefit from this one. We are looking for ways to bring families together and keeping it affordable. Movie Night, student socials (dances) and Game Nights... make it cheap to attend and make your money on the concessions. Make it free admission for PTA members and you'll boost your PTA memberships too. I'm looking forward to our new ideas.

Our school sells trash bags, the families like it because they need and use them around the house. Prices are fair and the profits are great for the school.

We are just outside Dallas, but the company that did it is nationwide. My neice's school in NJ is going to be doing it next week with them.

What company did you use for the food? That is an incredible amount!!