When it comes to school fundraising, everyone is looking for those money making ideas to help the auction make lots and lots of money! Of course every school is different — what they will and won’t allow, but I find that when you get the administration involved and they are supportive, you can go so much farther with your fundraising!
Here are six simple PROVEN ideas to help your next auction be a smashing success!
1. Student Principal for the Day – See what the big cheese does all day and your kid will get to fill their shoes for the day! I guarantee it will be fun and the conversation at the dinner table will be memorable!
2. Reserved Parking Spot at School – If your school can swing this, it will make one lucky parent’s life easier. Nothing is worse than having to fight for parking when you’re running late. This sweet spot will make the hundreds spent on this item so worth it!
3. Happy Birthday Messages on the School Marquee – Every kid loves seeing their name in big letters — especially at the front of the school for their special day! You can offer these up one for each month and create quite a bidding war!
4. VIP Seats or Naming Rights – There are schools that allow parents to buy front row seats for winter concerts or graduation. I’ve even heard of schools who let families have naming rights to their auditorium or grass field for the year.
5. Student Art Projects – These are always popular. Some schools even create an art show around these projects and parents bid on their own child’s work (who isn’t going to want it?). I’ve seen parents come to blows over these unique projects, while others do individual ones so everyone wins.
6. Outings with the Teacher – I’ve seen teachers do everything from an afternoon tea at a fancy hotel, to bowling or pizza parties to a simple trip to the bookstore and lunch or a picnic on the front lawn of the school! Kids love spending special time with their teachers — no matter what they get to do.
Here’s one extra tip — If you have unopened bottles of wine left over after your event, one school I worked with put together a variety of wines and auctioned them off a few days after the event as a personal wine cellar. It was a great way to make some extra money since the wine couldn’t be returned and parents were able to grab one more great item after the event!
Do you need more help with your auction? I have an Auction Success Kit that you can get right now for $59! This price will go up, so grab it now! I give you sample donation letters to businesses, to parents in the community and more! If you need more help, let me consult for you and support your endeavors!
To your success,
Sarah
Sarah has been fundraising for schools since 2008. She is the author of A Mom’s Guide to School Fundraising and has consulted for several schools and clubs. She has been featured on RetailMeNot.com, Scholastic: Parent & Child and The New York Times. She thinks all kids should be able to have a well-rounded education, team uniforms, instruments and support. Don’t you?
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