How to Create a Fundraising Plan For Your School

Planning a school fundraiser can feel overwhelming, especially when juggling multiple responsibilities or stepping into the role for the first time. With so many moving parts – setting goals, choosing the right fundraiser, promoting it effectively – it’s easy to feel like you’re running in circles. But don’t worry, you’re not alone in this!

By knowing how to create a fundraising plan, you can reduce stress, stay on track, and raise more funds for your school community. In this blog by Gifts ‘N Things, you’ll learn how to do just that. We’ll guide you through each step, from goal setting to execution, so that you can feel confident about your next fundraiser. Let’s get started!

Why a Fundraising Plan Is Important

A fundraising plan is your roadmap to success. By defining goals and assigning responsibilities upfront, you ensure that your team stays organized and focused, and you help avoid confusion or miscommunication along the way.

Good fundraising planning also maximizes participation. When students, families, and the community are engaged from the start, they’re more likely to get involved and contribute. This collective involvement can lead to better results and a stronger sense of school spirit.

Being organized is crucial for a successful fundraiser. A well-structured plan helps you keep track of critical deadlines, logistics, and tasks, ensuring everything is handled efficiently. No more last-minute scrambling or forgotten details!

Additionally, a solid plan improves your results by aligning your strategy with the right tools. For example, using Gifts ‘N Things brochure fundraising can help you tap into a proven system that maximizes your profits and makes the process smoother for everyone involved.

Finally, a fundraising plan reduces stress. By outlining every step of the process, you can make decisions with confidence, knowing that you have a clear path to follow. With less stress, you can focus on what really matters: raising funds for your school.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your School’s Fundraising Plan

Define Your Fundraising Goal

Set specific objectives to keep everyone focused on the goal. Determine what the funds will support, such as new equipment or field trips. For example, “Raise $5,000 for new playground equipment.”

Assemble Your Fundraising Team

Recruit parents, teachers, and student leaders as volunteers. Once you have your team, it’s time to assign roles. Typical roles include a coordinator to oversee the whole process, a marketing lead to promote the fundraiser, and an order tracker to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Choose the Right Fundraiser

There are tons of elementary school fundraising ideas out there, including product sales, events, and donation drives. One great option to consider is brochure fundraising. With Gifts ‘N Things as your partner, the products will practically sell themselves! Plus, the customizable brochures and online ordering options make it easy for everyone to participate.

Create a Fundraising Timeline

A well-planned timeline keeps your team on track. Start by planning key dates like the kickoff event, the selling period (usually 2-3 weeks), order submission deadlines, and product delivery days. This way, everyone knows when to complete tasks, and no one will rush around at the last minute.

Promote Your Fundraiser

Spread the word through social media, newsletters, and the school website. Include clear participation instructions so that everyone knows what to do. Incentivize participation to boost motivation, such as prizes for top sellers or classrooms.

Manage Sales and Orders

Use spreadsheets or digital tools to monitor progress throughout the fundraiser. Partnering with a fundraising company like Gifts ‘N Things makes tracking sales easy. We provide tools that help you monitor progress so you never miss a beat!

Distribute Products and Celebrate Success

Once the sales are in and the orders are ready, coordinate a smooth product pickup or delivery process. Working with a company like Gifts ‘N Things can make this process even easier, as we assist in organizing and delivering orders.

Don’t forget to thank everyone for their hard work! Send out thank-you notes to show appreciation for participants, volunteers, and supporters. Recognizing their efforts helps build positive relationships for future fundraisers.

Fundraising Timeline Example

Week 1: Preparation Phase

• Monday: Finalize fundraising goals and select Gifts ‘N Things brochure fundraiser.
  
• Tuesday: Assemble your fundraising team and assign roles.
  
• Wednesday: Receive brochures and materials from Gifts ‘N Things.
  
• Thursday: Schedule key dates for the fundraiser (kickoff, selling period, submission deadlines, delivery).
  
• Friday: Create promotional materials (flyers, social media posts, newsletters) and prepare for the kickoff event.

Week 2: Kickoff and Promotion

• Monday: Host the kickoff event (school assembly or virtual meeting) to introduce the fundraiser and distribute brochures to participants.
  
• Tuesday: Launch the selling period. Encourage students and families to start sharing brochures with friends and family.
  
• Wednesday-Friday: Promote the fundraiser through school communications (e.g., email reminders and social media updates).

Weeks 3-4: Selling Period

• Daily: Monitor progress, answer participant questions, and share updates to keep motivation high.
  
• Midway Check-In (Friday of Week 3): Share sales progress, celebrate early success, and remind participants about incentives or deadlines.
  
• End of Week 4 (Friday): Selling period ends. Collect order forms and payments from participants.

Week 5: Order Submission

• Monday: Double-check order forms for accuracy and submit them to Gifts ‘N Things.
  
• Tuesday-Wednesday: Confirm payment details and address any issues with participants.
  
• Thursday-Friday: Communicate the next steps to participants, including expected delivery dates.

Week 6-7: Product Delivery and Distribution

• Week 6, Monday: Receive products from Gifts ‘N Things. Organize orders for easy distribution.
  
• Week 6, Friday: Distribute products to students and families. Ensure smooth pickup or delivery.
  
• Week 7, Monday: Follow up on any missing or incorrect orders with Gifts ‘N Things.

Week 8: Wrap-Up and Celebrate

• Monday: Send thank-you notes to participants, volunteers, and families for their support.
  
• Tuesday: Announce the total funds raised and share how your school will use them.
  
• Friday: Hold a celebration or recognition event for top sellers and participants.

Conclusion

Now you know how to create a fundraising plan for your school! Set clear goals, assemble a team, choose the right fundraiser, and keep everything on track with a solid timeline. By putting your fundraising plan into action, you’ll be sure to make a positive impact on your school and community.

Explore our fundraising options to learn more about how Gifts ‘N Things can help streamline your fundraising planning and set you up for success.