Include in the fund-raising plan a diversity of fund-raising projects, since it may be difficult to predetermine which projects will prove successful and which won't. For examples of projects, plan for a school yard sale in which teachers, students and families donate unwanted items, plan bake sales, plan book sales or plan a walk-a-thon or race for students and teachers. Include in the plan projects big and small.
Involve students in fund-raising projects to maximize the number of helping hands. For instance, have students go door to door selling chocolate bars or catalog goods. Host a walk-a-thon and have students obtain sponsors (such as family members, extended relatives and neighbors). By involving students, you expand your opportunities for fund-raising, while also teaching children to contribute time and service to a good cause. Motivate students by offering special prizes to top sellers.
Sell bricks to raise money for the school. Invite teachers, families and members of the community to purchase a brick, on which their name will be engraved. Have the bricks displaced in a public place, such as on the walkway leading to the main entrance or in a courtyard or garden.
Include in the fund-raising plans appeals to corporations and local businesses, which can prove to be a valuable community resource. For instance, offer corporations and business owners tiers of donation opportunities, ranging from small to large monetary gifts. Offer corporations incentive for fund-raising. For instance, offer to name a gym or auditorium after businesses or business owners that make large gifts. To compensate for smaller donations, offer to print the name or logo of local businesses on school-issued book covers or school newsletters.
When planning for fund-raising projects, think ahead for entire the academic year, rather than just short-term. Take advantage of holidays to fund-raise. For instance, plan to sell frozen turkeys around the Thanksgiving holidays. Take orders and collect money in advance to order the turkeys from a distributor, have them delivered and make them available for pick-up in time. Plan for a catalog sale around Christmas, when people are inclined to make purchases on gourmet snack and gift items.