[willsken]

Our school are taking our under 16 football/soccer team to a competition being held in Australia next year and I have just been appointed chair of the fund raising committee.:wah We need to raise a lot of money (about $40,000 :exit) in the next 7 months.

What I would be grateful for is some success stories and ideas from people who have either succeeded in this area or really, just some good ideas.

Our first meeting came up with:

Quiz night (often run by a local pub with great success :clap)
Fun run
trail ride
hiring the boys out to work for local farmers etc
raffle for fire wood (donated by local people)
Christmas grocery raffle
car wash

We also have the support of the local paper and they are going to do an article hoping for some response from local businesses.

HELP!!!!! :uhoh

[Leccy-Lee]

A shepherds pie sandwich, eating contest?
Sorry i'll grab my coat..............

[lockstock]

How about Cowpat bingo. Field marked out in a numbered grid, sell the squares, where the cowpat lands wins the prize. Guaranteed to draw a crowd and raise a laugh - especially when three or four squares have to share the prize due to over-enthusiastic cow.

[Leccy-Lee]

Joking aside, thats a hell of a lot in a short time!

How about some sort of marathon event, like a 24hr sponsored disco or something, i did a 24hr online blog for charity once, hard work posting a blog entry every 10min for 24hrs but we raised about 4000gbp i think.

I can see a 24hr Expat Radio Show in sponsorship for your school coming on.....
(hmm puts idea into head, genuinely)

[jubjub]

You always have the old sausage sizzle to fall back on.

some for of eating contest might be fun! Maybe how many marshmallows at once kind of thing.

Name the teddy bear

do you have time to organise a gala at all, hold it at the school? that way you can get more people in one place and get quite a lot of money in one day (hopefully!) then you can do things like egg & spoon races maybe horsey rides?

[willsken]

How about Cowpat bingo. Field marked out in a numbered grid, sell the squares, where the cowpat lands wins the prize. Guaranteed to draw a crowd and raise a laugh - especially when three or four squares have to share the prize due to over-enthusiastic cow.

Love it..... and them all being boys I can see them hooking into it big time! :clap

[willsken]

I can see a 24hr Expat Radio Show in sponsorship for your school coming on.....
(hmm puts idea into head, genuinely)


:nice1:nice1:nice1 Tried to find a big kiss icon, failed :o

[willsken]

some for of eating contest might be fun! Maybe how many marshmallows at once kind of thing.



Yup, can see that one going down well with the boys as well! :D

[willsken]

Well, I tried to rep you all and for everone of you I have to spread it round more. :no

[Tia Maria]

Some of the things local schools that do that are very successful:

An auction night - local businesses can donate products, parents can donate services depending on various skills. For instance, someone offered to cook a romantic meal for two, another person offered to draw a portrait etc, then people bid on it.

Garage Sale - everyone brings all there old stuff, advertise it in the local paper/radio etc, then sell it all off in the school hall. Needs a lot of parent help but it can raise a lot if combines with sausage sizzle, bake a cake, face painting by children etc.


I'll keep thinking ....

Cheers

Tia

[gil]

What fantastic ideas! I have nothing to add personally, just wondered if it might be worth PM'ing Babette? She's now chair of the PTA at our primary so might have some good ideas?

Good luck Nic

Gil
x

[kanatakiwi]

A variation on the sausage sizzle is the pancake breakfast. always a big event in Canada, you can get local celebs (mayor etc etc) to put on an apron and flip the pancakes, as it costs next to nothing to make the pancakes (usally get sausages or bacon with them) there can be a high profit ratio. We used to plan these events for Saturday mornings of some big event (marathon, big sailing races, walk for whatever cause, etc)

[Tia Maria]

If the kids are happy to get involved:

Get the older kids to start a babysitting club and donate the money - you can combine that with the auction night.

Get them to start a dog walking club.

Once the target has reached they will be able to continue doing both these to earn money for their own things.

Cheers

Tia

[Tia Maria]

I know many schools do these calendars and cards, probably need to get in quick for Xmas:

http://www.nzpta.org.nz/abacus.html

Cheers

Tia

[willsken]

Thank you all so much for the ideas, there are some really great ones. I will attend the next meeting on Wednesday well armed! :nice1:nice1

[Tia Maria]

I know a lot of schools do an indulgence night - but it takes a fair bit of organising so you may not have time.

You normally get local businesses to rent a spot in the school hall and they offer short treatments for lower prices. Such as quick manicure, reflexology, massage etc.

It works for them as they get a bit of money and the chance to access new customers, so its particularly good for people who work for themselves.

It works for parents as they get a chance to try a treatment they may not have considered for a cheaper price, plus its fun.

You can also sell stall slots to people selling things like jewelery, soaps, make up etc, anything that fits the 'indulgence' theme.

Plus sell wine & nibbles to make a bit more money.

It requires work as you have to contact a lot of local businesses and find someone competent enough to work out a booking system for all the different 'indulgences' but it can raise a fair bit. plus set up screens for the more private treatments.

I went to one that had anything from bikini waxes to ear candaling.

Cheers

Tia

[Moorf]

I used to run an annual balloon race for the Acorn Children's Hospices in the UK :) - it's simple to organise - basically you get people to buy a balloon plus a label (which has their name on it and a central return address (school/club)). You organize a big day for the balloons to be released en masse (great for press shots) and the person whose balloon is posted back from the farthest place wins a small prize after a specified period of time has elapsed, as does the person who posted it (need that bit so that people bother to send them back when they're found).

[shakyle2906]

Nothing much to add here sorry Nic - had thought of sausage sizzle or a garage sale.

Kyles's school PTA had local businesses to put a prize towards school and the kids brought home raffle tickets - there were some good prizes too - mountain bike from Avanti, grocery shop from Pak n Save to name a few. Think they were dollar a ticket.

At the end of every school term they also have a sausage sizzle and flavoured milk drink - $1 each.

Some terms they have a disco - $1 entry for kids, parents free to chaperone them, glow sticks $1 for 2, chips and drinks $1 each

Just a few thoughts........


Sharon
x

[Caroline and Dave]

With the Xmas season coming up how about caroling at a local mall or somewhere like that. Or if you know someone with musical skills they could play somewhere and collect .This can usually be done with the permission of whoever runs the mall etc. I have played voluntary at a couple of events and they raised a fair bit of money although Hawkes Bay is a bit far for me to come.

[IanW99]

Here are some Tried and Tested Ideas (http://www.seafarers-uk.org/supporters-zone/tried-and-tested-ideas) which you may be able to adapt for your own situation?

I particularly like the rubber duck race as there are plenty of good rivers around.

And the supermarket bagging option was a surefire fund raiser in the UK where you get the kids wearing their football kits, or whatever and help the customers pack their bags. You do have to find a busy supermarket that would be up for the idea, but the shoppers tend to give away their spare change (if the kids are cute enough :)).

Ian

[jubjub]

Just had another idea..... a computer game tournament if you can get enough of the same kind of consoles together in the school hall!

[willsken]

but the shoppers tend to give away their spare change (if the kids are cute enough).

Ian

mmmm.... cute, um no!!! :D (14 - 15 year old spotty boys :laugh:laugh)

Perhaps some of them have cute younger siblings! :uhoh

[mgbridges]

Given that its for a soccer team how about a sponsored game of Keepie Upie, or sponsor per header, or how many shots they get past the goalie?

Our schools Gala is coming up in abou 4 weeks time and I know there has been stuff going on behind the scenes for months and months but from memory here are a few of the stalls - cakes & lollies, white elephant, plants & home produce (e.g. pickles, jams), books, novelty jars, kids lucky dip, toys, kids clothes, tea & coffee, arts & crafts, sausage sizzle. I would think almost any of these could be organised individually pretty much any where any time.

If I come up with any other bright ideas I'll let you know.

Anneliese

[willsken]

Just had another idea..... a computer game tournament if you can get enough of the same kind of consoles together in the school hall!

That sounds good fun.....where do I sign up!! :D:D

[Familyofmonkeys]

An auction night - local businesses can donate products, parents can donate services depending on various skills. For instance, someone offered to cook a romantic meal for two, another person offered to draw a portrait etc, then people bid on it.



Daughters school does this and made a ton of money at the last one. People didn't just donate stuff, but got other parents to auction things like a nights babysitting.....even some of the teachers did this too. Groups of kids did car washes for auction aswell.

Another thing that is currently being done that will probably raise a lot is a christmas cook book....being printed at discount at local printers. Parents donate best xmas recipes....and will of course buy the cook book plus more for relatives xmas presents so they can see their names in print.

Lastly, as well as volunteer parents doing lunches for the kids to buy one day per month (subway type rolls or sushi), they also recently did a stand just before pickup time on the days that after school football runs so the parents could buy their afternoon tea snacks and a soft drink.

[Kerry and David]

In the UK we did a London - Paris bike ride using a excercise bike, we all biked x amount miles for sponsorship. Maybe you could do North to South Island.

Summer Fayre

I did a run for Asthma UK last year and all our frinds and family some of who were keen Ebay users donated a % of any goods sold to our cause (perhaps would work with Trade me or local sale ..)

[Kerry and David]

Also once did a sponsored 70's theme walk. 6 miles dressed in wigs and flares:D

[peebles16]

I've run duck races back in the UK for PTA and great success :yes Balloons good too although we did get a bit of stick for this cos apparently tis not good for wildlife who try to eat them :uhoh I know it would a big hassle but what about murder/mystery themed dinner? Or family picnic with various stalls and charge gold coin entry? Or go for the good old raffle with some fancy prizes from local businesses?

All the best with it
Karenx

[Leccy-Lee]

Also once did a sponsored 70's theme walk. 6 miles dressed in wigs and flares:D

We NEED those piccies :nice1 :laugh

[NZ Hopeful]

Tia has already posted what I would have suggested - an auction, there is one coming up in my kids school shortly 'An Auction of Promises' it's called and they have all kinds of things promised...a cleaner for a day, the services of an electrician/joiner/painter decorator for a day etc, one of the mums is a professional cake maker and she has promised to make cakes for every event the winner has in 1 year. The list is endless really it just depends on the talents of the parents who want to donate a 'promise'! You can also charge people to attend the auction too! :nice1

We have various kids groups every other week in the supermarket bagging shopping- I personally pay them NOT to bag as they always put the bread at the bottom!! :exit

With all the ideas you are getting I'm sure you will have no problem raising the money! Good luck :clap

[thewoodies]

sponsored silence

sponsored dance

A football tournament with pay to enter

A marathon (eg here - London marathon)

A boot fair - ask a price for setting up a stall

Fancy dress football match - pay to enter

three legged fun run

Parents disco/ barn dance etc

Sell stuff on trade me


If i think of any more - I will post later :exit

[tea drinker]

Auction of promises have always worked well - have a range of promises big and small (to attract peoples budget) and lots of them

Local business sponsorship? either of Transport to airport or clothing or something else in the school that would bring in money for the cause or donations for Auction or raffle

Recipe book (every sch I know that has done that seems to have a few spare copies :D )

Growing plants to sell

Get the boys themselves to raise a set amount each

Car washes - need access to water and lots of buckets!

Get boys to create a piece of art (on any subject/media) frame it (local business to provide frame?) and sell it to the parents/grandparents etc (C'mas pressies?)

HTH

[mylesdw]

There are lots of charitable trusts and non-profit organisations from whom you can apply for funding. Much of the money comes from gambling. At our Pony Club applying for funding is almost a full time post. On average we probably raise $10k -$15k per year in this way.

[marybelle]

As the money is beign raised for the school/kids many people will want to show others that they are supporting you.

Pick a ribbon in the school colour and make little loop badges (same as tickled pink campaign) and sell them at ALL your events, people like to advertise when they are supporting a good cause so they should sell well, the cost to make them will be tiny and teenage boy should be able to make them easily.

Marybelle

[Tia Maria]

It would be a really good idea to approach the Lottery:

http://www.mylotto.co.nz/wps/wcm/myconnect/lotteries2/nzlotteries/Primary/Winners/Lotterygrants/

Also Sparc, although they don't directly provide funding, do have a database of people that do:

http://www.sparc.org.nz/page-33dd8bdb-03dd-4325-99fb-4e7206781f18.aspx

As you are trying to raise a lot in a short time, it will probably be essential to get some grants from outside the local community. So I would send off a few emails.

Also approach the local council, if they can't help directly they may know someone who can. Our school deals with the council a lot and they often point us in the direction of various grants available.

You may even stumble on some others for things like books etc, which may free up some of the school budget.

Cheers

Tia

[SarahEDH]

Hi Nicola - an idea that worked well at my daughter's school in the U.S. -- during the height of the fall sports season we sold t-shirts with a custom design and inside joke that everybody loved. The front of the shirt showed a knight in armor (the school mascot), charging at an American-style football. The slogan read "Barstow, Undefeated since 1884!". That's because The Barstow School had never had a football team since the founding year (1884) so of course they were "undefeated". Parents and kids loved the shirts and all were sold --

Good luck with the project --

Sarah

[thewoodies]

Shave your head sponsor?????:laugh ok maybe not

Baby buggy run

At oxford poly they did do a sponsored make your own boat and see if it floats.

Wheel you bed fancy dress run

Sponsored drinking contest

Sitting in a bath full of baked beans sponsor (saw that on corination street)

Get a business to sponsor the shirts - my hockey team was sponsored by the Fox and Firkin pub! didnt realise as young and trusting - what the slogan on the back meant?

For fox sake by us a firkin pint :laugh!!!!!!!!

[thewoodies]

What about a UK Bonfire night ! Charge etc

Halloween party

[Helsandfamily]

A Treasure hunt Perhasps with a BBQ at the end of it. Might take some organising but would be a llot of fun.

Or a competition Small charge to enter (maybe a photography competition)

Good luck

Hels

[Plymgirl]

Hi there
I have just returned from our school's pta meeting where I was re-elected as chair.
We are planning our school Christmas Fair, it is alot of work but is a good day.
We have stall holders and these are companies or individuals that want to sell stuff e.g jewelery, soap, toys clothes etc... The pay £10.00 plus donate a raffle prize for their table. On the day of the fair the children can come to school in their own clothes and for that they bring in either cakes or a bottle (Wine,beer etc) We use the bottles for our Tombola stalls and the cakes for a cake stall.
On the last day of term we are having a disco and run a tuck shop for the children.
We are also planning a "Pamper Evening" for the Moms again we contact all the beuty salons who have stalls we charge them £15.00 plus raffle prize. We got a Thai Resturant to supply us with thai curries (No charge for us) (really good advert for them) we had a
Nail bar doing polish and file a dental practice advertising tooth bleaching...The moms paid £10.00 a ticket and that got them a glass of bubbly, a meal and a treatment everyone went home happy.

Sorry got carried away

Oh we also have yearly Balls for the parents (posh night out for adults)

[willsken]

Some of the things local schools that do that are very successful:

An auction night - local businesses can donate products, parents can donate services depending on various skills. For instance, someone offered to cook a romantic meal for two, another person offered to draw a portrait etc, then people bid on it.

Tia

OK, being of little, or should I say no imagination I need some more of your wonderful help. I am organising my first fund raiser which is going to be the auction. What I need are some ideas of who to ask and what to ask for. Tia kindly started with the above... :D

[jubjub]

some ideas of the kinds of businesses you could approach, they may be up for it as it would attract trade and possible extra income for them by way of extra purchases...

Local restaurant meal for two
Vineyard tour (you are in the right place for that!)
Manicure from a salon
Free after school tuition sessions from a willing teacher

[thezorbster]

Ask anyone you can think of for the auction. We have just approached virtually every local (and some not so local) business for donations of gifts/vouchers/meals/pampering/wine/tourist attractions/accommodation/swim lessons etc etc. Being in a very rural district we've even approached Co's such as CRT, farming supplies etc and got donations of fertilisers, truckload of firewood etc and lots of garden centres have given plants. They may not all sound very romantic but living where we do then someone will be willing to pay something for them. We're holding our first ever school gala in Nov and from all the donations we've received will be producing a few hampers - eg pamper hamper, for raffles plus loads of silent auction items. We have got some pretty amazing donations, eg kayaking in Abel Tasman, Hanmer Springs passes etc so definitely worth approaching anyone local.

Good luck!