Fundraising- Companion Not Opponent

Budgets are being cut in all places, yet the requirement for new programs and resources and luxurious playground equipment remains. How will you find the funds? The answer might be a fundraiser, an answer not always met with worldwide support from parents and staff. However, you can fruitfully raise money while completely promoting your plan – all you need is correct planning, a good product selection, and imaginative endorsement.  
Planning
As per teacher training programme the key to successful fundraising is in the planning. When will you carry out the fundraiser? How will you engross parents? How many fundraisers should you have? Read on for the answers to these questions and more.
•It’s a Team Spirit. Create a fundraising team comprised of both parents and teachers. In some cases, it makes sense to add fundraising on to the program of an existing committee fairly than form a new one.
•Fewer Can Be Better. Parents are busy and often have older children involved in school, sports, and neighborhood programs.You can avoid fundraising exhaustion and increase contribution by conducting fewer, well-planned fundraisers all through the year.
•Put It on the Calendar. Plan fundraisers in advance and put them on the calendar before time so that teachers and parents can get ready for the event.  
•Timing Is Everything. Fall is a great time for product fundraisers ever since nearly everyone buys holiday gifts. Event fundraisers like backyard sales are better suited for spring when the climate is nice. It’s also vital to list your fundraisers around other events in your society such as the Girl Scout cookie sales and basic school fundraisers.
•Look at All Your Sources. Are there grants available? Would SCRIP programs work? SCRIP programs involve the purchasing of gift certificates from retailers in your society (e.g. a grocery store chain, restaurants, etc.). The gift certificates are then sold to parents and other members of the society. When the gift certificate is redeemed, your program earns a percentage of the sale. Over time, SCRIP money can really add up and supplement your fundraising hard work.
Know Your Program’s Unique Needs
Each child care program is special and what works for one will not essentially work for others. Here are some considerations to think about when selecting and conducting a fundraising program:
•Choose a product with learning value that supports children’s learning at home (e.g., children’s books and music).  
•Make it very obvious that the fundraising takings will benefit your plan and the kids, not corporate profits. Parents can relate to field trips and playground equipment and will hug the fundraiser with enthusiasm when they know that their children will achieve.
•Give a share of the profit to a confined charity that helps children such as a homeless shelter, a food bank, or the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Conducting Your Fundraiser Successfully
Fundraising for diploma in early childhood education program is a lot different from fundraising at the basic school level.Basic schools have vast sales due in large part to motivated children and the opportunity of winning prizes for top sales. Adults do both the selling and purchasing of products for early childhood fundraisers, and good causes and products, not prizes, inspire them.   
Successful fundraising is fairly simple. All you need is a good cause, strong management, and motivated members. Make the most of your fundraising results with these three tips for victory:   
1. Prepare
•Set goals for the group as a complete and individuals. Set sensible goals that highlight everybody’s contribution. For instance, as a group you want to raise $10000; each person is accountable for raising $200.
•Make sure your teachers hold up the project. Teachers and staff are a straight link to the parents, and their eagerness about the fundraiser will take over to the parents.  
•Select a few key parents and request for their help. Just about every program has a few parents who are friendly and well associated. If you get the correct people on board, they will widen the word and produce spectacular results.  
•Notify teachers and parents of the project at least a week in advance. Talk about the upcoming fundraiser by including
information in the parent information sheet, by posting a declaration on the parent bulletin board, and by placing the fundraising dates on your program’s calendar.
•Write a kickoff letter. The kickoff letter should give details why you are raising money and the logistics for conducting the fundraiser. Ask your fundraising spokesperson for a sample letter you could use. If feasible, print the letter on your program’s letterhead to give the fundraiser authority.
2. Hold a Kickoff Presentation
If you are serious about raising money, you need to form out a way to get the parents’ interest at some type of fundraising kickoff. Some programs might hold a conference around the time when most parents pick up their children. Providing snacks and an extra 15-30 minutes of child care will increase crowd. Another suggestion is to unite the fundraiser kickoff with an art show or with an additional gathering. Use your thoughts! Whatever type of event you choose, you want to:  
•Converse how the money raised will be used; 
•Show the product and explain the benefits;
•Show the brochures and give details how the product is ordered;
•Remind parents to think about future gifts they may need to buy; and
•Explicate any incentives.