4 Simple Steps Of Communication Can Make Your School Fundraiser Much More Profitable

By: Juan Franco

There are many reasons to have a school fundraiser ranging from buying new equipment for the school to funding field trips and special presentations. If you have ever headed up a school fundraiser you would know that there are many challenges in running a trouble free and profitable fundraiser.

One important factor that might get overlooked while planning a school fundraiser is communication with the parents of the students. A lot of times it is assumed that students will let the parents know about what is going on at school, especially when it comes to the school fundraiser. Afterall, the students are usually super excited about it after they have seen all the incentives for selling that they could earn. But parents are busy and children don't always communicate in the way that the parents need to hear.

It is not only important to increase the participation of the students in your school fundraiser, but it is probably even more important to secure the support and participation of the parents of your students as well. In order to do that, you need to plan for ways to keep your parents updated about events you have planned.

Following are 4 unique strategies you can use that will help your school fundraiser achieve maximum results.

1.) Beginning of Year Communication

At the beginning of the school year we should send a notice to the parents which outlines our plans for all school fundraiser events that are planned throughout the year. In this way, there are no surprises and it gives parents the opportunity to inquire about the events and even to volunteer to lend a hand.

2.) Secondary Communication

Most parents have a hectic schedule and sometimes an upcoming event may slip their mind. Put a note in the take home packs of the students a few days before your sale begins. You can use this same method for other activities and events throughout the school year.

These first two tips are designed to keep parents "in the loop" for the things that you have planed but if you want to take it to the next level, keep reading.

3.) Run an ad or article about your school fundraiser in the school's newsletter or Ezine.

The school's newsletter can be used to help keep the parents up to date about things that are happening at the school. This is especially true for the school fundraiser. Be sure to ask your parents to sign up for the newsletter in all correspondence that is sent home. In the long run, this will be worth the trouble.

Public schools and usually have a newsletter or ezine that is published on a regular basis. A form or an announcement can be plased on the school's website to help them find out what is going on and what is coming up at the school. If this is the case, it will make it easy and painless for parents to sign up for the newsletter.

4.) Gather Email Addresses of your parents every chance you get.

When correspondence goes home that needs to be completed by parents and returned be sure that there is a space to put an e-mail address right by the signature line.

If you take the time and trouble to build a database of all these email addresses, you can send your reminders home in print and electronically when it is time for the school fundraiser. You would be surprised at how effective this tactic is in making your school fundraiser a huge success.

These 4 tips will help you increase participation in your next school fundraiser.

Copyright (c) 2008 Juan Franco

Article Source: http://yourfinance.co.za

About The Author
Communication with parents is only the first thing needed for a profitable school fundraiser. Go to AIM Fundraising's website for other unique fundraising ideas to increase your fundraising profits.