Another one?! Fundraiser is a trigger word for many families and I get it. Gas is expensive, groceries are outrageous, and there’s several other things that I would rather spend money on. I do not need another bag of popcorn or box of cookies. Actually, those are some pretty good cookies, you know which ones I’m talking about 😉 I hear you and I get it. Most likely you have had to participate in a fundraiser at some point. When I started my PTA journey years ago, I swore there was no way I was going to ask people for money. Nope, I’ll do anything else but I’m not doing that. I have pride. Listen, it’s still not my favorite activity, but I do it. I no longer have any pride left and basically beg everyone I can for money now. Let me explain how I got here and maybe help shed some light on this fundraising nonsense. (Shameless plug with my current fundraiser QR code posted here:)

My first experience with fundraising came the year my girls were in kindergarten and 1st grade. How I made it that far, I’m not sure. My girls came home and pulled out a form asking us to help the school with the first fundraiser of the year. I read the details and I saw that the top earners secured the VIP spot at what I interpreted as a field day where they could go in one hour early to the bounce houses, and have a snow cone. All kids could come in as gen pop with a minimum donation of $20. If you’re doing the math here that meant $40 for us. For my kids to get a snow cone and jump on a bounce house during recess. As a fairly new mom all I pictured was my two babies sitting on the sidelines in the heat, watching all their friends bounce and load up on snow cones with pure joy oozing out of their little bouncing bodies if I didn’t send in the cash. I didn’t even bother to ask what the alternative was OR the biggest question- what was this for? I ended up sending in the $40 for general population tickets and they went to the bounce house. I later learned that several experienced moms not only didn’t participate, but they also said their kids didn’t even notice the fundraiser kids get called out to go to the faux field day. What was the money ultimately used for? to help the school buy an electronic marquee. Would I have given $40 to the marquee fund? no, no I wouldn’t. So I was scorned. Lesson learned, I’m asking questions moving forward.

The next year both girls started Girl Scouts. You know what that means. Back in my day, I would walk around my neighborhood with a fellow Brownie and we would collect orders, ask for cash then delivered the product once they came in. Easy peasy. Well times have changed since the 90’s and now it’s on the parents to commit to a very large number of boxes upfront, store them in their house and sell them or in my case, eat them. We stood outside of Lowes on weekends and somehow every year, sold all of the stash. But thanks to that fundraiser, my girls were able to do some awesome things. Not only did they meet with their troop every week to earn badges, but they also swam with dolphins, went horseback riding, went camping, legit tent camping, twice a year. The final year they were together they were old enough for the grand finale of a weekend in Savanah, Ga to explore the city and learn about Juliette Gordon Low. Every meeting included the discussion on inclusion, responsibilities and goal setting. Hence the big number of cookie boxes us moms had to commit to. This fundraiser kept the financial commitment to the families very low and obtainable. Thankfully my our cookie slinging days are over, but I will still stop at every cookie stand outside of the grocery store and get my favorites while always letting the moms and girls know- I was a Girl Scout mom once too!

Once my oldest was halfway through 5th grade, I saw a post in the school group that said, “are they doing anything for the end of the year for the 5th graders?”. Admittedly, this never crossed my mind. I guess I did assume there would be some sort of “graduation” given by the school. I guessed that’s who “they” were. Thanks to the comment section I learned exactly who “they” were and it wasn’t who the person asking, or me, thought it was. It was a group of those experienced parents who knew the school wasn’t responsible for anything additional like a party for your kid for finishing another school year. I guess it makes sense, you want the school to take care of them all day, feed them AND plan, execute and pay for a party? I mean kinda, but not happening. So here it comes- the 5th grade fundraiser. Unlike the bounce houses, this one had details. It let the supporter know there was a plan in place to provide busses to the skating rink. Every 5th grader would be receiving a custom t shirt, pizza lunch, goodie bag and bottomless sodas. It was also noted that all 5th graders would be included regardless of fundraising participation. Sold. I bought the popcorn and felt good about all the kids having a blast at their last day of elementary school.

When we got to middle school, I was told the PTSA was about to be non existent because there was nobody to run it. There was a whopping $6,000 in the account that was about to be absorbed into the county account. I had no idea if that was a lot of money, but I learned it wasn’t. I learned this because I raised my hand to be part of the resurrection of the middle school PTSA. I picked the role that required the least responsibility but I quickly learned it was going to be all hands on deck to make this thing work since there was only 5 of us. I knew a few business owners, including my own family, and I sent all of them the generic sponsorship form. Surely they would send me a check. WRONG. Somehow along the way I forgot you can’t just ask people for money. You better have a real good reason for asking. “Helping every student” and “teacher appreciation” wasn’t cutting it. So what were we doing? We had to show our work. We struggled that first year but still managed to knock it out of the park thanks to the donations. We rolled into the next year with $11,000 in the account. The next year I started documenting everything, not only because it was literally my job on the board but I also wanted to show the donors this is what you’re buying the popcorn for! I posted photos of working the PTSA funded positive behavior store where every student earning positive behavior points could shop. I showed the socials photos of our meetings where families were coming together to say what they wanted to see happen. Discussed how we helped guide teachers in the right direction to secure additional funds for their programs since we couldn’t but researched who could. Showed student meetings where we provided lunch and gave kids a fun way to spend the lunch period. Brought FUN on to the campus. Shared photos of the boxes of deodorant and feminine products we gave to the guidance offices. We brought back the spring dance. Resurrected a group of signs showcasing kids who earned a spot on those marquees.Threw family engagement STEM nights. Brought back a PTA sponsored art contest.Threw the 8th graders an epic sendoff party and of course gave the teachers appreciation lunches and gifts throughout the year. WHEW! That’s right, I basically put all that in an email and sent it out. We were “they”. By the end of that year, we raised and spent over $20,000. We were also rolling into the next year with the $11,000 we started with. I’m on year 4 or 5 now, I lost count, and we have done so much I can’t even remember it all. We have earned the trust of the community and have at least 15 local business who send us checks to cover most of our expenses. We have big goals every year to help ALL of our students succeed. Even the families who can’t, or just don’t want to participate in fundraising. We get it and we don’t get mad at you. We do our best to reach out to supportive businesses before our families. Girl scout honor! I am no longer scared to ask for money and I’m used to hearing no more than yes. I am still selective on which fundraisers I participate in and completely understand when someone doesn’t want to participate in mine. Do your research and see if the money people are asking for is doing what you want it to do. If it is, throw them a couple bucks 😉

If you are in knee deep in kid and fundraising my biggest suggestion to you would be this: be very specific on why you need that money. Don’t just share a post and ask people to give. They’ve been asked 10 times already. After you meet your goals, be sure to thank the people who donated. They didn’t have to and they will remember the next time you ask. Try not to get too comfortable asking the same people over and over. Unless they are really passionate about the reason, they likely don’t want to be the sole supporters. Make sure you support the people who support you! Does it even out? yeah it usually does and doesn’t make much sense in the end but just do it. Just know we’re all thinking the same things and in this together!

What is the best fundraiser you ever participated in? Worst? My best was a raffle for my kids after school program where I won 10 $100 gift cards to 10 really good restaurants! Worst? refer to the second paragraph.

How do I feel about the PTA? you can read that here: Let me tell you how I feel about the P.T.A. – Amy Annonymous