We all want our kids to have a well-rounded school experience, to reap the academic benefits, but also those experiences that build memories and character. However, after-school programs, music classes, uniforms and school sports require funds.
School fundraisers have existed in a myriad of forms for decades. Car washes, bake ales, and candy sales, wrapping paper and holiday gifts are all regular parts of our kids’ school year. Wouldn’t you like to find a better way to raise money? The Web to the Rescue…
We all know someone who spends a portion, maybe a large portion, of their day on Facebook and Twitter. These sites have become the go to for quick-access to information on a multitude of topics, and that includes your schools next fundraiser.
More than 500 groups and pages appear on Facebook alone under “school fundraiser”. From uniforms to school supplies to trip fees, they offer venues that can raise money for a slew of things that make school cool. GreatSchools.com reports on “Kohl’s Cares for Kids, a Facebook contest that’s giving away $500,000 grants to a total of 20 schools. By visiting the Kohl’s Facebook page and signing up between July 7 and September 3, you can vote for your child’s school and answer the question “What would your school do with half a million dollars?” No matter the result, the winning school walks away with a ton of funds.
Kohl’s isn’t the only one giving away money. Dollar General will provide 7 $5000 grants to assist schools in meeting some of the financial challenges they face in implementing new programs and purchasing new equipment, materials or software for their school library or literacy program. Find out more at .
http://www.raconline.org/funding/funding_d... Do you have a parent or volunteer that works at Macy’s? Macy’s encourages its employees, retirees, and/or immediate family members to volunteer in their children’s schools for fifteen hours. The Macy;s Foundation provides a grant to the school of $250 for each fifteen hours worked up to $500.
http://www.macys.com/store/about/community... Target offers grants for Library Makeovers, Field Trips, and store based grants for arts and early childhood reading.
http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/pa... offers fundraising options as well. Starting a profile for your schools next fund raising event that links back to a splash page or e commerce site can be an easy option for schools.
Grants Alert offers site users the ability to research open grants thru categories like State, Fellowships, Foundations, Corporate or Federal to view all potential options.
Twitter offers fundraising options as well. Starting a profile for your schools next fund raising event that links back to a splash page or e commerce site can be an easy option for schools.
Corporate Donation Matching
Looking again to Corporate America, corporate matching can be approved within your company’s HR department. Company’s like Johnson & Johnson and Microsoft have matched donations up to tens of thousands of dollars.
Spend the Dollars Wisely
Some stores, like Target, offer a “cash back to your school upon purchase option.” Another retail option where your money goes to the right cause and keeps more in your pocket? Charity Malls. Shop online and choose what school you want to support.
* OneCause School Pop offers a bit back to your school when you buy.
* BuyForCharity.com offers clever and easy to manage fundraising ideas.
Use these resources to your advantage to help your school raise money so that your kids have the richest school experience.
Posted By: Paul Adams
Friday, August 20th 2010 at 12:17PM
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