It seems a new fundraiser is being circulated daily by parents and school activity leaders. From school supplies to new sports equipment, there’s always a need for additional funding in schools. Raising money for schools can be challenging for community leaders, but there are ways to make it easier. Here are some tips from Dennis Bonnen on how community leaders can help raise funds for schools:
1. Host Unique Events
Every parent who has ever chipped in for a bake sale knows that school fundraisers can get pretty boring. If you want to get the community excited about raising money for schools, consider hosting unique events to get everyone involved. A charity auction or 5k race are great ways to get people engaged and excited about giving back to their schools.
2. Collaborate with Local Businesses
Rather than going alone, partner with local businesses to help raise school funds. Companies can sponsor an event, donate a portion of proceeds from sales on certain days, or provide materials needed for school projects.
Dennis Bonnen believes these are great ways for businesses to show their support for the community while also getting some great publicity. With some creativity, community leaders can form partnerships with companies to raise funds for schools in a mutually beneficial way.
3. Create an Online Fundraising Campaign
With the power of social media, it’s easier than ever to reach a large audience and raise funds for schools. Create an online fundraising campaign with a specific goal, such as raising money for new textbooks or art supplies. Be sure to promote the campaign across all social media channels and provide updates on progress towards the goal.
Consider the ice bucket challenge that went viral a few years ago. In the challenge, people would dump a bucket of ice water on their heads and then challenge others to do the same. If the nominated person didn’t want to take the challenge, they could donate to ALS research instead.
4. Apply for Grants
Several foundations and organizations give out grants to schools and non-profit organizations. Research to see if your school or district qualifies for any assistance that could help with
funding. Applying for grants can be time-consuming, but Dennis Bonnen advocates that it’s worth it if you’re able to secure the funding.
There are many grants available for schools and non-profit organizations. Some popular grants include the following:
● The Scholastic Awards
● The Pepsi Refresh Project
● The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
● The Wal-Mart Foundation
5. Collect Box Tops
One of the simplest ways community leaders can help raise funds for schools is by collecting box tops. The Box Tops for Education program has been around for over 20 years and has helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars for schools. Many schools participate in the Box Tops for Education program, which allows people to donate money to schools simply by purchasing certain products.
Your school must sign up for the Box Tops for Education program to get started. Once registered, you can start collecting box tops from participating products. Each box top is worth 10 cents so they can add up quickly. Send the box tops to the school, and the money will be used to help fund various school projects and activities.
Final Thoughts
Community leaders have many options for raising funds for schools. With a little effort, you can easily raise funds needed to support your school.No matter what method you choose, involve as many people as possible. The more support you have, the more successful your fundraiser will be.
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