NONPROFIT SCHOOL FUNDRAISING

Social organizations and nonprofits use fundraising to generate financial support for their causes ranging from sports to political activities. Securing adequate funding is crucial for the operation of nonprofits. A successful fundraising event should establish these major conditions:

1. The fundraising event raises enough money to support the social organizations or nonprfits.

2. The fundraising event generates positive and creative enthusiasm for staff members.

3. The fundraising event reinforces the positive image of the nonprofits and generates sincere and enduring support from sponsoring organization.

There are numerous ways to start a fundraising project. Here are some of the popular school fundraising ideas to generate some income:

1. Running a concession stand in school function or atheletic events

Concession stand operations can provide quite a significant source of income. Popular concession equipment can be rented from local suppliers. Prime concession equipment include fountain drinks, hot dog grills, cotton candy machines, popcorn machines, etc. Concession supplier can most likely recommend which equipment are popular for your fundraising operation.

Pricing is important. Sit down with your volunteer group to price out the cost of renting equipment and the prices of items for sale.

2. Selling buttons and pins for your athletic teams

Great for raising money for school sports events. Button making kits are available online. You can also contact commercial companies in your area. Create buttons with the names and dates of events. Your prospects in this scenaraio include teachers, students, parents and sports fans.

3. Car Wash

Popular fundraising activity especially for summer weekends. For a car wash fundraising, set up your site at a convenient store, gas station, or parking lots near shopping malls where there will be heavy traffic. Location is the key to a successful fundraising operation.

Advertise your car wash operation ahead of time. Take out a small ads in local newspapers or public radio. On the operation day, have your students or volunteers stand on sidewalks with signs advertising the car wash prices and the purpose of the fundraising.

4. Spring Garage Sales

Ask parents and sponsor ortanizations to donate new or used merchandised. An organized garage sales can reap substantial dividends. The best time to organize this fundraising event is spring, when people are cleaning their garages.

An added bonus in this scenario is selling concession items and refreshments for potential buyers.

5. Consignment Sales

Unlike a spring garage sales, schools receives a percentage off the selling price for items sold. The percentage varies. Consignment items can be solicited from local stores, business owners, or homeowners.

Create a theme for your consignment and solicit merchandise from business related to the theme you created.