The success of a school fundraiser is a factor of support and involvement of the parents. If you can get the parents involved, it will be a major win for the PTO and the school at large. If you can get the parents on board, you have a higher chance of reaching your fundraising goals. For the easiest fundraising solutions, visit www.fundraisingzone.com
Some people say they don’t have time, but that’s only because you haven’t given then a compelling reason to get them on board. Fundraising may be an extracurricular activity, but it is usually targeted at a goal to improve the children. There aren’t many parents dying to join fundraising, but they will if you give them a reason to.
To get the parents on board, you need to get to learn some best practices. Use the following ways to get the parents to support your preschool fundraiser idea;
Get the kids excited about the plan
The kids are a medium through which you can get through to the parents. Parents will support everything their kids are excited about. They always do this as a form of support. Involve the kids in the fundraising plans so they can run to their parents with exciting news about the fundraiser. If you can get the kids excited, then the parents will want to sustain their kids’ enthusiasm.
Positive and clear communication
Communicate your plans clearly to the parents. Tell them how their contribution will positively affect your fundraising. Make them feel important and needed. Share the mission and goal of the fundraising with them. Make them understand what their kids will benefit from the project you are looking to raise funds for. Learning that their kids will be benefiting from the event is a compelling reason to get them on board.
Be clear about what the funds will be used for
There shouldn’t be any complication when explaining what the funds are intended for. You are more likely to win parents over if you let them know exactly where their money is going. If you make the parents feel confident about how the funds will be used, they will be compelled to support you. If you are looking to build a playground, go on a school trip, or build a new shade, ensure to spell it out to them.
Enlist volunteer parent to do the recruiting
Let parents who are already volunteers recruit other parents. Parents are more likely to get involved when they know someone who is already in. They will feel more comfortable working with a co-parent. So, the next time you are having a fundraiser, tell parents who are already involved to invite other parents they know.
Give an Incentive
Encourage parents to get involved by giving them an incentive to become a member of the PTO fundraising events. Appreciation is a must; appreciate them and make them feel cared for. You can organize an exclusive breakfast for volunteers only. You can also give them gifts at the end of your fundraising event.
Ask for their opinion
Everyone loves to be heard. Encourage parental involvement in preschool fundraising by asking for their input on how funds should be spent. Make them feel included. This will certainly motivate them.
Send them an invitation
How will they know you need their support and involvement if you don’t invite them? Send them emails and letters informing them about the different options to become a member of the fundraising event. Don’t assume that they know how to join the PTA. Put up an eye-catching poster in the school and send letters to their homes.
Get personal with new parents
Keep a habit of putting a letter in every new kid’s bag to welcome the family to the school and inviting them to a morning or evening coffee. This act of embrace will make it easier to get them to volunteer for the next fundraising. This act of love shown to them will make them feel welcomed to the family; they feel appreciated and want to live it up by being a part of the PTA and fundraising events that may happen consequently.
Don’t waste their time
Finally, you need to be keen on time management when dealing with parents. A lot of them are truly busy, but will always find time for their kids out of love. So, don’t make them wait around unnecessarily and don’t let your meeting be held all night. Be prompt with time and also learn to end meetings at the specified time. Time consciousness is a professional and impressive act that can make them get involved in your fundraising event.