Ever hear about a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) that smashes their fundraising goals, bringing in big money (tens of thousands of dollars) for their school community, and wonder how they manage to do it?
Do they have a secret grove of money trees to generate the money? If only it were that simple!
The truth is, PTOs that raise a lot of money approach fundraising differently.
Instead of relying on luck or magic, they focus on a handful of key fundraising strategies.
Let’s dig into exactly what it takes to raise big dollars for your PTO.
Think Big
For starters, PTOs that consistently bring in big money don’t think small.
They see a large fundraising goal not as a lost cause but as a motivating challenge.
Even if your PTO doesn’t have the ideal circumstances to start with, don’t let that stop you from reaching for a big number.
A can-do attitude is the first step toward a successful campaign.
If you resonate with manifesting practices, then this is for you.
Only along with manifesting the outcome, we’re going to employ some serious strategy to make it happen.
Have a Plan
All major successes are planned, and big money fundraising is no different.
You can’t raise serious money without a detailed plan that covers the what, where, when, why, and who of your campaign.
Leaving any of these details to chance is a surefire way to fall short of your goals.
What sort of fundraiser is most appealing to your school community?
The type of fundraiser you choose is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make.
What works for one school might not work for another, especially since communities vary so much in economic situations.
Picking the wrong fundraiser can doom your efforts from the start, while the right one can lead to a big fundraising win!
To choose a good fundraiser, consider the following:
- What has worked—and what has flopped—in the past?
- What is the current economic situation in your community?
- What other money asks are being made of families around the time of your fundraiser?
Another smart move is to look at what’s worked for other PTOs, whether they are in your area or not.
A fresh idea imported from an outside organization can sometimes work like gangbusters for your PTO.
Where will the fundraiser be promoted?
Anytime you can reach beyond the walls of the school and into the wider community, the better.
A broader pool of potential participants means a bigger chance for greater contributions.
No matter the fundraiser, the promotion of the campaign is the single biggest factor in your success.
You can’t expect money to come flowing in after a single request.
Just like businesses use multiple ads to get their message out, your PTO needs to use different methods and channels to spread the word.
The bottom line is that PTOs using a variety of promo channels have a much greater chance of success than those who just ask once.
When is the best time to hold the fundraiser?
The same fundraiser can yield vastly different results at different times of the year.
Think about what else is happening in your community.
Are there other events or seasonal distractions that might limit families’ ability to contribute?
Timing is everything, especially when it comes to PTO fundraising.
Why are you hosting the fundraiser?
Knowing and communicating why you are raising money is super important.
Being specific about your fundraising goal can drive donations and participation rates way up.
Are you raising money for new playground equipment, an arts assembly for the school, or something else?
Be sure to include this information in all your communications about the fundraiser.
This transparency gives potential participants a reason to contribute rather than ignore your request.
Who will help make the fundraiser happen?
For larger income goals, it’s all about having a team of volunteers to spread the workload.
A successful campaign shouldn’t fall on the shoulders of just one or two people.
Piling so much on a small group can quickly lead to volunteer burnout, which ultimately results in a smaller fundraising income for your PTO.
Instead, form a fundraising committee, lead by the school parent group’s Fundraising Chair.
Ask. Ask. And Ask Again.
Don’t be afraid to ask for the participation in the fundraiser, even if you think you already know the answer.
This is one of the biggest ways PTOs limit themselves and prevent them from hitting the school fundraiser jackpot.
They stop before they ever get any real momentum because they assume the answer will be no.
But a “no” is only a possibility; a “yes” is impossible unless you actually ask the question.
Don’t count yourself out by eliminating the possibility of success.
Follow Up
This final big money fundraising strategy goes hand-in-hand with a few of the tips above, especially making the ask and having a promotion plan.
When you’re asking businesses for donations, never assume the decision-maker saw your request.
If you haven’t heard back within a few weeks, follow up with them.
They might have gotten busy, lost the paperwork, or need additional information.
A polite check-in gives you another bite at the fundraising apple.
The same goes for product fundraisers that come home in backpacks.
Sometimes kids auto-recycle fliers, lose them, or forget to pass them on.
Following up with another flier or an email can give parents a second chance to participate.
Over to You
Every PTO is capable of bringing in a ton of money if they think positively, plan strategically, make the ask, and follow up.
I hope these tips have started the wheels turning in your head about how your PTO can rake in a big pile of money!
