So the first few weeks of school are behind us and we are all hearing about how important school fundraising is. You have bounced like a ball from meetings or coffees and maybe you have received fliers about the awesome volunteer opportunities for school fundraising that await you. You have looked over what areas fit your time constraints and skill set, jumping in with two feet and a great attitude! That is all you need right?
Well, thick skin would come in handy if the truth were to be told. Especially if you are making phone calls and asking for donations for your school fundraising. When you call a company and ask for a donation for your school fundraiser, there is a chance that they will say yes, but occasionally you get a no. Sometimes it’s a LOUD “NO!” or even worse and OBNIOXIOUS “NO!!” . The important task at hand is DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE.
It can be frustrating to keep hearing that little word over, and over, and over again when trying to help with school fundraising. But, I want you to ask yourself WHY they are saying no. Is it because of when you called them? Are they struggling to keep their business going after being out there for 20 years or even 2 years? Are they trying to get their kids off to school or pick them up when you called? Are they dealing with a sick parent? There are thousands of reasons why businesses say no. The one reason they say yes, can be as easy as listening and connecting.
Find a way to connect with business owners and let them know you want to help them too. They may be more open to hearing what you have to say. If they can connect with you or your organization, they may be more interested in giving. There is a fine line between pestering a business (not taking no for an answer) and listening to their needs.
Have you tried to get other parents to volunteer or donate to your school fundraiser? Are they running the other way when you are on the playground? Try to appeal to them as parents. Many times we do things that we really don’t want to do. I don’t want to wake up early and work the cross walk for the safety team, but I do it for my kids. I make the most of the time I spend volunteering and try to make the job fun. Who knows, maybe that positivity will rub off on others. It’s so great to see others working that crosswalk! But there will always be people you cannot connect with. There are people who will never give their time and people who will always complain. That’s just part of life.
If you’ve tried to connect, and they are still saying no, let them go. It’s a waste of your energy and time. One of the best lessons my daughter learned when selling Girl Scout cookies was people either stopped or kept walking when she stood outside a restaurant to sell. Some said, “No” as they walked by, but she would always respond, “Thanks anyway. Have a great day.” This let them know that she heard them and wasn’t going to be pushy!
That didn’t get her more sales, but sometimes it surprised the people enough to stop and donate a dollar to the troop.
Stay hopeful!
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?