As part of your child’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA), one of your responsibilities is to organize and execute fundraisers to support school programs. It sounds easy on paper—but you know from experience that hosting a successful PTA fundraiser is hard work! You have to plan the event, get volunteers, manage the budget, and promote it to the community. If you need tips on how to make your next fundraiser go off without a hitch, we’re here with practical suggestions.
Have a Clear Goal
What do you want to achieve with this fundraiser? Is it to raise a certain amount of money for new library books, or is it to bring the community together for a fun day? Your goal will shape every decision you make, which includes the type of event you host and how you measure its success.
Pick the Right Fundraiser
Choose an event that will get people excited. A classic bake sale or car wash can work, but you could also try a family movie night on the school lawn, a read-a-thon, or a talent show. When you choose an event that resonates with your community, you’ll see more participation and support.
Recruit Volunteers
You can’t do it all on your own, so gather a team of dedicated volunteers. Delegate tasks based on each person’s strengths. Someone who is organized can coordinate logistics, while a creative person can handle decorations. Regular check-ins with your team will help everyone feel supported and motivated.
Consider Practical Aspects Like Hygiene
It’s important that your event is fun and gets people donating, but you also want to consider practical aspects like keeping everyone safe and healthy. People will have a better time when they feel comfortable in a clean environment.
One way to promote hygiene is to rent hand sanitizer stations for your school event. These stations let attendees quickly and easily clean their hands throughout the fundraiser. You’ll also want to have plenty of trash bins available to keep the space clean and organized, and enough bathrooms for everyone.
Spread the Word
A fundraiser is only successful if people show up. Use multiple channels to get the word out. Send flyers home with students, post on the school’s social media pages, and put up signs around the neighborhood. The more people who know about your event, the better your turnout will be.
Gather Feedback
After the fundraiser, ask for feedback. What did people enjoy? What could be better next time? Send a short survey to attendees and volunteers. The feedback they provide will give you valuable information you can use to refine your future events.
Start Organizing Your Next Fundraiser
Hosting a successful PTA fundraiser requires your hard work, creativity, and dedication! But these tips can help take some of the pressure off you by streamlining the process. Now you can focus on what truly counts—building community spirit and garnering support for your school.
