Very interesting, we too are looking into this learn2earnathon. Trying to keep it simple and really sick and tired of the same old stuff that we have been doing here in california since the dog ages. We as a committee are keeping our fingers crossed for this new fundraiser and hopes it raises at least $8000.00. Is anyone else has run a learnathon please let me know how it turned out.
I can understand frustration over having too many fundraisers...there definitely needs to be a balance. Did you used to do less fundraisers throughout the year? Did you raise more money with more fundraisers or with less?
Have you made a decision on your more traditional fundraisers (candy, gift wrap, cheesecakes, etc.)? We have always used those for our fall fundraiser and they usually do pretty well. We have already started to talk about if we will do it again next fall though. I hear a lot of schools and districts are banning the unhealthy food fundraisers but it's tough because they usually do bring in good money. There is just a lot of concern over sending out the wrong message to our kids...
The one new thing we are trying is Learn2Earn-A-Thon this spring. I was looking in to walk-a-thons but we don't have many parent volunteers either and I hear they are a lot of work if you want to do really well with them. That's how I came across the learn-a-thon though. Hope it goes well!
Our PTo ran into the same wall. We took 2 years to offer an "Invest in Me" campaign. The first year was a little sluggish, the 2nd we doubled. It gave folks a chance to breathe. The president did a great job of communicating with the school base. For the 2nd year it was more professional with a car decal and a "virtual brick" in the school with your family name. They even printed out a large copy of the school built with family bricks and hung it in the entrance hallway to the school for everyone to see. (I know what you mean by the wait and see mind set, the upper schools are merciless with fundraising, but don't focus on that, do what works for your school)
In addition to this campaign we implimented a few "family nights" that are free. Back to school bingo, Veterans night, a service project in December. All were minimal cost to PTO (basic stuff like, cakes; baked by our cafeteria, just ask, they are very helpful, cookies, hot chocolate). A fabulious parent made a bingo grid on her computer, printed it on blue paper and we used fruit loops as coverings. Be creative. All brings attention to the PTO as a fun group not simply dollar signs.
I'm also a big believer in "a little good will goes a long way". I buy rolls of mints and print little labels that say "You're worth a mint to our PTO, thanks for your time" and give them to the volunteers. I try to get appetizer cards from local restaurants and give them to teachers who volunteer.
The best ideas are stolen. All of the above is not re-inventing the wheel, simply watching other schools (and churches) to see what they are doing.
Add your creativity and voila, you have a successful event.
Will we go back to a tangible fundraiser?, probably, we tried something new out of respect to public request. We'll see what the future holds for us.
Our last PTO meeting had me a little rattled. I had a few parents not too happy with how much fundraising we are doing. We sold Entertainment books, Sally Foster, had 3 Chick-fil-a nights and Schwans for 2 months. Yes, it is a lot but obviously parents are not required to do any of it but if they would like to there are things to choose from. With that said, a few were overwhelmed with how much comes home, they only have 1 child at school. I felt like saying just wait...
I have asked for ideas for fundraisers, there were ideas like auctions, golf tournaments, breakfasts... All which require many hours of time and volunteers. No one volunteered to actually do these things, they just thought we should do it. They are tired of cookie dough, candle sales, etc... Some even said just ask for monetary donations. Not sure how the school district would feel about it but I did say that at anytime they could make a monetary donation. Just wondering if anyone else is having these same types of issues? Any ideas of how to make things better?
