How to have a healthier fundraiser for your school

All parents of school or daycare aged children have seen the numerous fundraisers sent home throughout a school year. If you are sick of the cookies, pies, or usual miscellaneous stationary items,here are some unique, positive alternatives for fundraising.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• A PTA or other fundraising committee approved by your school

1. You can search online for your own ideas at
   www.fundraising.com
   www.easyfundrasingideas.com
2. Sell First Aid Kits. This is a practical, safety-promoting fundraiser. Companies that offer this product make them for home or auto and the school' s cost is usually around $4.00 but can sell for up to $10.00.
   One such website is www.first-aid-product.com
3. Sell Community Discount Cards. This fundraiser takes a little leg work on the part of the fundraising committee, but is almost all profit for your PTA and benefits your school, the card user and your local businesses. The basic idea is to enlist the help of local businesses in the way of an offered discount. Each business that participates is listed on the back of the card and the cardholder can obtain those discounts by showing the card when shopping. Most groups charge about $10.00 for the card, and above the cost of having them printed up (can vary, but the charge is minimal), the rest is profit. WWW.easyfundraisingideas.com has a link for this service.
4. Sponsor a silent auction. Local businesses can donate goods or services, or the PTA or individual classes can make up baskets to be bid on. You can even enlist parents that have special talents or trades to donate their time to be auctioned off (think contractors, hairdressers). It can be a fun night to interact with fellow community and school members, and the school makes a profit!
5. Have parents collect and submit Campbell's Soup can labels or General Mills product "Box Tops". Both of these reimburse your school for sending them in. See company's websites for further information.
6. Organize a walk-a-thon. This promotes healthy activity throughout the school, and can raise money. Have children get pledges per lap or period of time. Hold the event at the school track, local park or even in the gymnasium. Get parents involved by having them participate as well.

Tips & Warnings

• These are just a few unique ideas that are outside of the annual vat of cookie dough! Think of other things that are relevant to your school, and bring up suggestions at the next PTA meeting. Sometimes just shooting around ideas can get people excited about trying something new!
• Be sure you have consulted with the fundraising committee or PTA before approaching any business or fundraising company. Your best bet is to use these ideas as a kick off to a conversation about new options for your organization's fundraising efforts.