| You can have a great school fundraiser planned, if | | | | need to submit your press releases to your local |
| parents, teachers, students and community members | | | | media outlets and to online distribution services. |
| don't know about it - then your school isn't going to | | | | Reporters and newscasters are often quite busy - so |
| raise nearly as much as it could. So getting the word | | | | don't hesitate to follow up with a phone call or two |
| out is super important for the success of your | | | | for those who don't respond. |
| fundraiser. Here are 5 tips for successful publicity for | | | | 4. Send Flyers Home. Parents should be notified |
| your school fundraiser. | | | | immediately once your school decides to do a |
| 1. Focus on the benefit of the fundraiser. Parents, | | | | fundraiser. Sending a flyer or letter home is one thing |
| teachers and community members are more likely to | | | | you should always do. If you have the budget for it, |
| participate if they truly understand how funds raised | | | | you may want to mail the letter so you can be sure |
| will be used for the school. Doesn't it sound better | | | | the parents get it. Many schools now maintain email |
| that your school is "raising money to send the | | | | lists for parents, and sending an email to all parents |
| marching band to a national competition" as opposed | | | | could be a terrific way to notify give them all of the |
| to simply "please support our school?" Even if you're | | | | necessary details. Send another flyer midway through |
| doing just a general school fundraiser it still benefits | | | | the campaign so parents will know how the program |
| the school's education programs, right? Focus on | | | | is going and remind them to contribute. |
| what benefits your students will receive from funds | | | | 5. Use Your Internal Media. Many schools have a web |
| raised. | | | | site and you can create a special page dedicated to |
| 2. Offer alternatives to asking "the usual suspects." | | | | your fundraiser. If your school, PTO or other group |
| Many workplaces today do not permit fundraising | | | | has a newsletter make sure your event gets |
| activities at all, so parents cannot ask co-workers for | | | | included. The Principal or teacher who gives the |
| their support. Suggest creative alternatives such as | | | | morning PA announcements can keep students |
| asking contacts from religious groups, social and civic | | | | updated on the progress of the fundraiser. Even |
| clubs. If you're doing a product sale fundraiser like a | | | | better, let the students who have raised the most |
| gift catalog remind them that the items will make | | | | give the morning announcements! |
| good gifts. You can shop now for the holidays and | | | | To really get the most awareness and participation |
| beat the store crowds! | | | | for your fundraiser, you need to communicate with |
| 3. Send Press Releases to Media. Former students or | | | | your supporters several times. It takes more than |
| parents that had children in the school may like | | | | just one flyer to get the message across. People |
| supporting your fundraiser - but will only have the | | | | may intend to join in but get busy and forget. So a |
| chance to do so if they are made aware of it. Write | | | | gentle reminder may really be appreciated, and give |
| a press release with all of the information about the | | | | your group a better chance for success! |
| fundraiser and contact information. Then you will | | | | |