Organize special events, such as golf tournaments, cabarets, silent auctions, retreats and special dinners. According to Deborah Ward of the website "eSchool News," "Special events can result in a significant amount of money raised; however, keep in mind that putting on a special event often takes a great deal of planning (usually several months to a year) and can involve a significant number of volunteers, depending on the type and size of the event." Thus, smaller schools should avoid more complicated events.
Create an annual fund that solicits donations from alumni, parents and grandparents. Make yearly entreaties for money by direct appeal letters. Trained callers with compelling scripts can make phone-athons successful as well. You'll also need to set up a comprehensive database of donor information for your records.
Hire a lawyer or some other expert in planned giving to help facilitate a planned giving program for your school. Planned giving is a way for alumni or families of alumni to donate to the school via their will or estate. This is a terrific program that can bring in large gifts.
Initiate creative fundraising activities. Del Oro High School in Loomis, California, has invented "cow chip bingo," in which the school football field is divided into squares, and families and students pay for a square if they want to play. The school ushers in three cows, and if a cow defecates on your square, you win a little bit of money. This activity brings in $20,000 annually. Other activities include having students pay for special privileges, such as paying a $1 to wear a hat to school; singing telegrams; or renting a wrestler from the school team to do odd jobs.