Enjoy the Fruits of Fundraising

2. Enjoy the Fruits of Fundraising Presented by: Jody Swanigan jody_swanigan@montessoricharterschool.com

3. Why is Fundraising Important for Montessori Schools? • Increase and supplement revenues • Community “buy-in” • Fulfill Montessori mission and decrease the gap between public funds/tuition and operating expenses • Long term sustainability

4. Whose Job is it to Fundraise? • EVERYONE’S! • Get your whole school involved!

5. Remember This Always • People do not give time and money to organizations because organizations Have Needs; they give because organizations Meet Needs. (from Beyond Fundraising by Kay Sprinkel Grace, 2005) • Appreciate your supporters always! • Don’t apologize for asking

6. Reasons for Fundraising • Grow community support for your school • Increase parent participation • Provide valuable resources to students

7. ECMCS Revenue Budget $71,000 earned beyond public funds

8. Ways to Increase Resources • Volunteers – do not underestimate the potential of volunteers • Active – requires lots of organization and human resources • Passive - little to no effort and on-going

9. Giving

10. Volunteerism • In its 2000 Survey on the Condition of Education, the National Center for Education Statistics found that 38% of parents of K-12 students volunteer at their public schools. The rates are higher for higher income, more highly educated parents, 50%, for example, when household income is above $50,000 and parents hold a BA or above. Yet, the rates at lower income levels are not paltry. Even when household income is $10,000 or below, 22% of parents volunteer at their K-12 school, and even for those parents with only a high school or GED diploma, 27% volunteer. Philanthropy for K-12 Education: A Minor Player Missing A Major By: Susan Raymond, Ph.D.

11. Step 1: What is the Point? BasicOperating Expenses Improved Programs Extras Capital Wish List Endowment

12. School Mission Motivation Purpose What Tools are in the Toolbox? Mission + Motivation = Purpose

13. Step 2 Choose the Right Fundraiser • Sales (look for at least 50% profit) • Direct Ask • Events (total cost should be less than 30% of revenue)

14. Structure • Meet with teachers, PTA or SIC, Governing Board and any other stakeholders • Consider school mission and values • Determine needs; set goals • Set a budget • Design written strategic plan specifically for use of volunteers and fundraiser events • Communicate at Facts and Fees

15. Passive Fundraisers • OneCause.com • United Script Gift Cards 4-5% • Target 1% • Goodsearch.com 1-5% • Box Tops .10 per top which could equal $1,000 per school year • Cyber Fundraising

16. Active Kid Fundraisers • Teacher Appreciation Swirls • Cultural Fashion Show • Pizza Business • Fair Trade Coffee Business • Holiday Shop • Babysitting

17. Sales • Profit margin (total cost should be less than 30% of revenue) • What customers need and are willing to pay for it • Competition • Staff needed to manage • Fit with the mission

18. Active Community Fundraisers • Golf Tournament • Chili Cook-off • Game Night • Auction

19. Friend-Raising and Annual Giving • Create a donor base • Letter writing & personal visits • Keep connected through newsletters • Events with an ask • Using events to create friends

20. Step 3 Make a Plan • Once you have decided on the types of fundraising events you will do – communicate them – often and loudly! • Identify your values and link them to the fundraiser

21. Implement Highlight one and not more than two big fundraisers per year 1. Start with the event date or goal and work backwards 2. List all major and minor details 3. Set deadlines 4. Organize committees and delegate responsibility 5. Reflect

22. Make It Easy, Easy, Easy

23. Budget

24. What’s in it for Me? • Make sure to include incentives or goals along the way for each project to create excitement.

25. What to do with all the Money? Percentages, percentages, percentages!

26. Talk Back • What has your group tried?