Fundraising companies?

My school has used Red Wheel, which sells cookie dough, and has been relatively successful.

You might try

They sell flavored popcorn and they have an area for fundraising. I used their popcorn for my daughters science fair. They are nice people to deal with.

Denise

We have used American Concepts out of Dallas, as weel as All American, Waterloo, NE. Their phone is

800-228-9028. They were one of those Catalogue companies and we made $12,000. We only had 600 students selling (k,1,2).

HTH Julie in Hondo

I've heard Krispy Kreme does something to help schools raise money by resale of their donuts, but I don't know any details. Might be worth a try?

Skyhooks h m a r d i s ""aahhtt"" u i u c ""ddoott"" e d u

Having done many fundraiser (Scouts, PTA, library), I think several fundraisers would work better (and be less headache) than one huge one. I know that DD's school has used this idea (don't know if this is the only company that does it)

Breck's Bulbs does one.

Cheryl

I know we've done that one, but I'm not sure we made all that much. School smelled pretty good though.

Some of the candy bar re-sales are decent profit. Buy the bars (in cases) for fifty cents a bar and resell for a $1.

Cheryl

I'll second that. I have gift wrap out the yin-yang, but that seems to be what all the kids around here sell. Do I buy more that I don't need? Or do I refuse because I have too much already?

I'd buy flower bulbs. I'd buy magazines. I'd even buy Tupperware, Partylite or Christmas Around the World. But I don't need more gift wrap.

If the kids would come around in fall with gift wrap (which I don't need) and in spring with candy or magazines or flowers, I'd buy from them at least once, but if all they're selling is gift wrap, forget it. I could wallpaper my whole house in gift wrap and have some left over.

This is probably a "little" fundraiser in terms of profits, but might be easy, and is directly related to the goal: Are you familiar with the Chinaberry book catalog? They do some kind of school fundraiser (I've not participated in one, but the catalog is EXCELLENT and their service has always been exemplary).

wwww.chinaberry.com

HTH

sue

I've seen the stuff you can sell in Current, Inc.'s catalogs. It's more than wrapping paper, and I've always loved their stuff. My girls have done Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, but you have to have a way to keep the stuff frozen once you receive it. I don't know the profit margin on these, but the Current, Inc. website should have the details.

Good luck!

Eva in soggy Kent, WA.....GO SEAHAWKS!!!!

Our local schools have some unique fund raising events. One is a no-bake bake sale. You donate what you would if they were selling cookies or cake, but in return get a thank you letter which is much less fattening. We also have an auction which many people donate items to. We get together as a neighborhood and each of us puts some money in the pot and then purchase an item to donate to the auction. Sports tickets always sell very well. We also collect items from all the local busineeses. Our third money maker is that a local company has agreed to danate money for the library based on how many books are read by the students during the year. Books that are required reading do not count. In my personal opinion I would rather give the school $10.00 than buy cookies or other stuff that I do not really want and is overpriced.

George

Another clever idea making the rounds is the no-party party.

I was first introduced to the concept through a women's group where most of us were extremely busy juggling jobs+family+volunteering, which sent a teabag with the invitation, suggesting that you set aside the afternoon of , but instead of coming out for a party, stay home and relax with a cup of tea. Suggested contribution: whatever you felt a commitment-free afternoon was worth.

Then the library sent an invitation, same concept, you're already too busy, so stay home with a good book. Suggested contribution: add up what you would have spent on a new dress for a fancy reception, tux rental for the DH, hairdresser, manicure, babysitter, parking, etc.

George has suggested some really good fund-raisers. One thing that schools forget is to look at the calendar and be aware of what else people are doing at the time of the fund-raiser. Having a fund raiser during the two weeks immediately preceding the property tax due date is usually not a great idea. If other local charities have a fund raiser at a set time each year, try not to overlap with them. You also might not want to have a fund raiser going immediately before election time if there is a school funding issue on the ballot unless you can absolutely swear that the passage of the levy/bond issue/whatever will negate the need for future fund raisers (and that is highly doubtful). On the other hand, if you are going after some serious wealth, do not be afraid to hit them up at the end of the tax year (December for most individuals--companies can choose their own fiscal year) for that last minute tax write-off. Just be certain to provide proof of the donation quickly. Don't just target individuals/families. Corporations have deeper pockets and it is usually easy to convince them that improving the local school will improve their locally-available workforce in just a few short years. This can go even farther in locations where adult literacy or ESL classes are needed provided the new/improved school facilities can be used for these purposes.