Fundraising Strategies

School Council Training Day 2013

Guido Ronci, OCT – Principal, Pleasant Park Public SchoolAndrea Thomson – Chair, Pleasant Park Parent Council

School Improvement Plan for Student Achievement

Academic W.E.L.L.Well-being | Engagement | Leadership | Learning

FamilyCommunitySch

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School Councils

Fundraising Strategies

1. What are we fundraising for?

2. Fundraising Strategies / Lessons Learned

3. Communicating with parents, students and community

4. Questions

What are we fundraising for?

• Your school’s Mission Statement • SIPSA – your own school’s plan• Student Council requests• Teacher requests• Parent Surveys

Parent SurveysSurveys offer Parents the opportunity to:• share thoughts and ideas, especially if not able to attend

Parent Council meetings

• provide feedback on current services, fundraisers and events

• offer opinion on possible future services, fundraisers, and events

• inform which modes of communication work best for them

• put name forward to join Parent Council or volunteer

• provide input on use of funds

Parent SurveysWhat Parent Council Learned*• learned what parents value / what is important to them

• parents appreciated the food services provided - lunches

• parents wanted more food service options; emphasis on healthy choices, allergy-aware and cost

• parents and students enjoyed ‘fun-raising’ activities

• many would consider making a single donation rather than having more individual fundraisers

* based on results of 2012-2013 Parent Survey by Pleasant Park Public School

Parent SurveysWhat Parent Council Learned con’t...*

Top priorities :

1. educational enhancements

2. recreation / physical activity

3. Arts and music

4. Technology

Secondary priorities :

5. requests from the classroom

6. extra-curricular and team sports

7. field trips

8. outdoor improvements

Lowest priorities :

9. special topics

10. physical conditions of school * based on results of 2012-2013 Parent Survey by Pleasant Park Public School

Fundraising Strategies &Lessons Learned

• Food Services – pizza, milk, Lunch Lady• Book Sale, magazine sales • Movie nights• PRO Grant • Partnering with restaurants, stores, services• Need less labour intensive strategies; fewer volunteers /

volunteer hours• Events – excellent community builders, but

ROI can be low, labour intensive

Communication StrategiesIn all communications to parents regarding

fundraising, be sure to: • start with Parent Council’s commitment – our children

• explain what Parent Council is fundraising for

• explain why it is important; fulfills mandate, SIPSA, etc...

• describe the plan; keep it simple

• provide link to more information; website

• always offer option for feedback; e-mail of Council Chair, confidential drop-box, etc...

• Always thank the parents for their support

Communication StrategiesResults from the Parent Survey*• E-mail from Principal

• Voicemail from Principal

• Flyers sent home

• Stickers in student agendas

• School website

• Parent Council newsletter

• Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, blog)

* based on results of 2012-2013 Parent Survey by Pleasant Park Public School

Questions

Thank you!

School Council Training Day 2013

Guido Ronci, OCT – Principal, Pleasant Park Public SchoolAndrea Thomson – Chair, Pleasant Park Parent Council