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PTA and PTO groups have many reasons for having school fundraiser events. The reasons range from buying equipment or services for the school that is not in the schools budget, to funding special guest, presentations or field trips. As anyone who has ever headed up a school fundraiser would know, there are unique challenges to running a good and profitable one.

Of all the things that get put in place to effectively run a school fundraiser, one very important aspect often gets overlooked. That is how do you communicate the importance and solicit the help of the parents of the students. Parents are busy doing the things that are most important to them. Unless they are reminded in a way that catches their attention they will often forget or simply not be aware of your school fundraiser when it happens.

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. To do that, you must plan ways to keep your parents informed about the upcoming and ongoing events.

Here are 4 things that you can do when planning your school fundraiser that will help ensure that you maximize your results.

1.) Beginning of Year Communication

When school begins each year you should send a memo or letter to parents which outlines your plans for school fundraiser events that are planned throughout the year. Only in this way can you ensure that there are no surprises that catch the parents off guard.

2.) Secondary Correspondence

As we have said parents are just as busy as we are and sometimes an upcoming event may slip their mind. Send a letter home with the students take home pack a short time before the beginning of each school fundraiser throughout the 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.) Publish a Newsletter or Ezine regarding your school fundraiser.

Use your ezine or newsletter to keep parents informed of happenings at the school and to promote upcoming school fundraiser campaigns. Encourage parents to sign up for the newsletter in any correspondence that is sent home.

Public schools and other educational institutions should have newsletter or ezine that is published regularly. A simple form should be placed on either the school’s website or that of the local board of education. This will make it easy and painless for parents to sign up.

4.) Collect Email Addresses of your parents.

When forms and notices go home that needs to be completed by parents and returned ensure there is a space the parents to write their e-mail address beside the signature line.

Build a list of all these email addresses and when it is time for the school fundraiser, send out a friendly reminder message. 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 parent awareness and participation in your school fundraiser events.

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