School funding seems to be always in doubt. Your school might be experiencing a shortage of revenue or not able to grow or sustain a program. You might be having trouble providing all the resources your students need to succeed. Fundraisers for schools are a classic and reliable idea for increasing revenue. However, there are a few things to consider before putting on a fundraiser. The most important part of a fundraiser is a good idea.
Open Mic Night
An open mic night is an event at a coffee house, library, or music venue that invites amateurs and professionals alike to present their art. As the night begins, sign-ups are opened, and anyone who wants can sign up to present their work. In some instances, the presentations are limited to students of the school or employees of the organization putting on the fundraiser.
The school then charges admissions to the open mic event. Patrons come in and listen to poetry and music. The benefits of this approach are allowing students and others to express themselves through art for an engaged audience. Also, there is very little cost to the organization creating the event.
Consignment Sale
This idea will require a little more planning than some others and, perhaps, a little more organization than the open mic night. At a consignment sale, members of the school or organization bring in their unwanted items such as household items and clothes. Patrons are often charged admission to come from the sale. They buy items from the sellers and then the organization splits the profits with those who have donated based on a percentage that is agreed upon beforehand.
A consignment sale is much like a garage sale, except the organization hosting the fundraiser does the selling with very little time investment from those who have donated. This is appealing to people who either have only a few things they want to sell or who don’t have time to put on a garage sale themselves. They can sell their unwanted items and make money with a minimal investment of time. Organizations find this to be an appealing fundraiser because there is a very little overhead cost for them.
Eating Contest
An eating contest is exactly what it sounds like. Most people are familiar with the classics such as hot dog eating contests. This is one of the simplest fundraisers for schools. Organizations charge admission to view the contest or charge contestants an entry fee. You could also charge both. Then, participants compete to see who can eat the most of a certain food item, such as hot dogs in a set amount of time. A winner is crowned, and usually a prize is awarded. This event requires a little more investment of resources from the organization, due to finding a venue, buying the food, and awarding the winner.
