Fundraising for Parent Teacher Associations
Non-Intrusive and Effective Ways to Raise Money For Schools
Jul 5, 2009
Many schools depend on extra funds from Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) to bridge the gap in funding, especially in public schools. Here are some creative and less invasive ways to raise money for those that find it inconvenient to go door to door with their children trying to sell tubs or cookie dough or magazines. Move away from bake sales and move towards the power of convenience and online marketing.
Using eScrip.com is Easy and Effective
Escrip is an easy way to let money trickle into the PTA fund without having to do much work at all. Simply register with the service, then have parents register themselves under the school. Whenever anybody makes a purchase at a qualifying store a percentage of that purchase automatically goes to the PTA. Participating stores include Macy's, Barnes and Noble, Eddie Bauer, and Safeway to name a few. The program is very simple.
- Register any one or all of your existing grocery loyalty, debit and credit cards to use in the program.
- The stores make a contribution to the school, based on purchases by using the registered cards.
- All purchases are tracked and available to view at the end of the following month online so everyone can see how much money is being raised.
General Mills Box Tops Program
Box Tops is no newbie to schools and PTAs. This time honored program now has three ways to increase funding for schools. The website also provides information on where to find bonus box tops.
- Clip individual Box Tops worth .10 cents and turn them in to the classroom or PTA mailbox.
- Shop online at the Box Tops marketplace. Each purchase earns money for the PTA. Participating stores include Aeropostale, Nordstrom, Old Navy, and more.
- Purchase a book through the Box Tops reading room and 6% of that purchase goes directly to the PTA.
Don't Underestimate the Power of Collecting Change
Some people don't want to buy a $5 gallon of cookie dough, but wouldn't mind donating $5 to the PTA. Keep a money jar by the classroom door or at the teacher's desk for parents to drop their pocket change into. For those people that are reverting back to using cash as their method of spending, they will want to get rid of those nickels and dimes jingling in their purse or pockets. Another crafty idea is to send kids home with an empty container they have either created or decorated with wonderful art and ask them to return it with whatever change they can get at home.
Social Networking Sites to Promote PTA
Social sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter are very effective in spreading information. It isn't enough to plant a seed, it must also be watered. Start a fundraising campaign through eScrip.com, Box Tops, change, or any other creative ideas, and post about the campaign progress often on Facebook and MySpace and send tweets on Twitter. Keeping parents informed about their donations will likely make them want to contribute more to the good cause.
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