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Ideas needed for a High School Fundraiser

15 years 5 months ago #146363 by Momski
Greetings!

I am now at the high school level of parent involvement and still find great information on these discussion boards...

I'm surprised you don't have any other parent groups at your high school.

Are you sure you don't have a football booster or alumni group? Before you start fundraising, be sure to ask the HS principal or head coach to make sure there isn't some other group on campus that you may be competing with.

If there is another booster group at your school, take the time now to extend your hand out to them, introduce yourself and be sure to actively say you are NOT in competition with them. Ask what kind of fundraisers they do have, when they have them, and who their primary donors are, so you are not perceived as a threat. Keep in communication with them throughout the year. They will be your best ally. If you don't - you WILL be perceived as a threat.

My H.S. has about 1400 students 9-12 grade, which is probably bigger than your school, but the booster groups (poms, swim, soccer, baseball, volleyball, football, music, marching band, powerlifting and more) are all in competition for the family wallet.

At our strategic planning meeting last fall, our parents adamantly stated they are BROKE! they wanted to tap into the community's wallets! Community meaning alumni, people in town who no longer have kids in school.

And we have found that event-based fundraisers make the most money for us (although they do take a lot of volunteer time and effort).

My HS music booster group makes the bulk of our money doing the following:

#1 - running concessions at the home varsity football games. This is a HUGE money maker for us and provides a needed service at the football games;

#2 - a meal-type fundraiser (people love food) like a spaghetti dinner, chili feed, etc. (featuring our talented music students);

#3 - Student or faculty talent show - Our community also loves to be entertained. Organize a talent show, sell concessions, sell ad space in the program;

#4 - A dine out. Approach a popular restaurant or fast food restaurant in your area to have a "dine out" night. Ask if they would be willing to donate a portion of the profits 10% to 20% on a pre-assigned given night (usually a M,T,W) to your organization. All you have to do is advertise, advertise, advertise - I suggest creating some kind of coupon for people to show at the restaurant, so there is no confusion. We make the most $$ at McDonalds - and our teenagers use the drive through.

#5 - Rummage sale - book the gym or cafeteria for a designated saturday in Spring (the saturday after mother's day is the best!!) and ask parents to donate items to sell.

#6 - we are currently trying out "Picateers" and I'll report on that once our ordering is done and the photos are delivered (mid-November).

The bottom line is find something new and cool. Keep an eye out for what your neighboring school districts are doing (as well as watching the PTO message boards).

Good luck! Be sure to get up front buy-in from your board and have a REASON to fund raise. Fundraising for general operating expenses doesn't move people to give - come up with a reason. Report back when you can.

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16 years 2 months ago #140187 by melodysue
A Home Interiors candle fundraiser would be a great way to make money. We have done one for our school and are getting ready to have a fundraiser for the Cheerleaders of the school. With a Home Interiors candle fundraiser you can 50% of your sales for your organization or school. The small jar candles are $7, and the school made $3.50 per candle. The $12 bigger jar candle, we made $6 off of. If you need more info, let me know and I will email it to you.
16 years 3 months ago #140026 by Momski
Our HS brought back the "persian market" - it's a crazy auction where they auction off almost everything and anything:

Ideas:

Slave for a Day, "taxi" to school, music performances at a party or event, tickets to concerts/sports/etc, an elegant prom dinner at someone's home..

Here is our website for ideas:
SMHS Persian Market for unique auction items!

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16 years 3 months ago #139778 by JCvolunteer
Here is a website to a fundraiser community discount card program Save & Support Discount Card Sports Fundraising - Home . They are advertising Discount cards for as low as 80 cent per card for 2500 or $1 per card for 1000. Apple Valley Soccer group (60 youth) raised $3500 in 1 1/2 hours by selling these cards for $20 each.
16 years 3 months ago #139742 by lhennessy

PCGHAMC;134030 wrote: I am part of a small school district - 3 schools (Primary "PreK - 1st", Middle School "2nd - 6th", and JHS/HS "7th - 12th") in all. Most of the fundraisers that we do are for the primary and middle school. The high school rarely asks the PTA for help with raising funds. We have a new PTA President and Vice President that would really like to help the High School. Does anyone have any fundraiser ideas for the JHS/HS kids? Thanks in advance.


Check the past message posts about a jog-a-thon/walk-a-thon. We did our first one this year at the elementary level, K-5, with 500 students. We pulled a lot of information from this site. Students collected pledges (mostly flat rate) and participated in a healthy activity day, either morning or afternoon. Our PTA provided healthy snacks like apple slices and water bottles. It was a great event where the kids focused on raising the funds, knowing that they were helping their school and community, while getting some great exercise!

In one day, our PTA raised over $18,000.00! There was a lot of work involved, but if you have some committed and dedicated volunteers, it is a great way to go.

It was so well received, that we have already decided to do this again next year!! Hope this helps!
16 years 4 months ago #139535 by PresidentJim
What about a Spring carnival? If done right this could be a huge fundraiser and a lot of fun for the kids. Just to quickly name some of the kinds of things you could do...

- petting zoo
- pony rides
- hay rides
- booths with prizes
1) ping pong ball throw
2) fastest pitch (get the local police to help)
3) basketball throw
4) dart - balloon pop
- moonwalk

I am sure I can come up with a bunch more if given time...

PresidentJim
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