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Opportunities		  

Funding Sources

How can I generate in-kind support?

How can I raise fund locally?

How can I use volunteers for support?

How Can I Generate In-Kind Support?

In-kind Support or Non-Cash Donations

By involving local businesses, you not only gain support for your program, but you develop a partnership where you can give publicity or additional advertising back. All types of businesses can give in-kind support. Some examples are:

Donations:

  • Hardware stores
  • Wal-mart, K-marts
  • Stationery stores
  • Arts & Crafts stores
  • Florists
  • Bakeries

Advertising spots for your program:
  • Local real estate magazines
  • Newspapers
  • Church bulletins

Prizes:
  • Sporting stores/ bait & tackle stores
  • Beauty salons
  • Clothing stores
  • Restaurants

Space:
  • Halls-VFW, etc.
  • Hotels/ conference centers
  • Local colleges/ universities
  • Local high schools

Services:
  • Ad agencies
  • Professional associations
  • Taxi cab companies
  • Copy centers

Local businesses are usually much more willing to accommodate, especially if there is a time limit, because chain stores and corporations need to go through many layers before committing resources of any type. If you have the time and resources to pursue large companies, they may be able to provide much more in the end.

How Can I Raise Funds Locally?

Raising Funds Within A School Community

Fund raiser

How To, and What Age

Operate a school store

PTO/A could manage, HS students could volunteer

Bake sales after school

Competition among grade levels, MS

Penny Drive

Pizza party for class with highest totals, ES

Walk-a-Thon

Volunteers get sponsors, publicity, solicitations for prizes, refreshments, registration, entertainment- school band, MS, HS

Car Wash

HS students volunteer on weekend

Serve-a-Thon

Collect pledges for hours per service on a specific day or month, MS, HS

Book Fair

Used books donated from classes, then sold, ES, MS, HS

Dance-a-Thon

Community dance, or high school dance, dance contests, HS

Holiday/ Special Occasion Fund-raising

Fund-raiser

How To and What Age

Valentine's Day

Sell telegrams 50 cents-$1, carnations- ES, MS, roses- HS

Easter

Sell daffodils, ES, MS

Christmas

Card cover contest, sell through PTO/A, ES, MS, HS or poinsettia sale

Crazy Hat Day

Students pay 50 cents- $1 to wear a hat

Dress Down Day for Staff

Pay $1 to dress down, twice a month

ES= Elementary School, MS= Middle School, HS= High School

How Can I Use Volunteers for Support?

Launching a Recruitment Campaign

Getting an up-to-date name bank of potential volunteers is the first stage. PTO/A meetings or Back-to-School nights are a great way to get this valuable list of parent volunteers. Be cautious when searching for volunteers. Advertising for volunteers to work with children is not always a safe thing to do.

Set up a booth/ table getting names of parents, phone numbers, times of availibility.

Create database of who can give:

  1. Time
  2. Supervision
  3. Transportation
  4. Food/ Refreshments
  5. Publicity work
  6. Art work
  7. Other supplies
  8. Word processing
  9. Picture taking/ Video
  10. In-kind donations from employers