2 Can't-Miss School Fundraising Ideas You're Forgetting

These ideas have proven track records for funding your school.

Any parent of school-aged children can tell you the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how school districts across the nation have approached education—from how schooling is delivered to how schools are funded. And we all know many schools don't get the funding they need.

And while it can feel stressful to think about, the reality highlights how important it is to come up with school fundraising ideas that may be outside the more tried-and-true fundraisers we're all used to. So, let's look at two ideas you may be forgetting that could make a difference in your efforts.

Get fundraising with crowdfunding

If you haven't already added crowdfunding or peer-to-peer fundraising to your efforts, you may want to consider it seriously. Pew Research Center says, "Roughly one-in-five Americans (22%) report that they have contributed to an online fundraising project on a website like Kickstarter or GoFundMe."

Websites like that work well for raising money for a general account. But what if your parents or school aren't comfortable with a vague ask or PTO/PTA bylaws requiring you to raise funds for specific items?

Then sites like DonorChoose.org and Fundly.com are good resources. You can ask for items you need from businesses listed on the site or make special requests. Then you wait for donors to fulfill your needs. The sites typically do the rest of the work. It's a popular option that can raise significant funds. The National Education Association shared the success of one teacher in California who raised $35k with her crowdsourced fundraisers.

There are a few things to consider with crowdfunding, so get a good idea of what you need to know before you start a campaign and look at a few great tips to get you started.

Granted, this idea could be a winner

Another fundraising idea that many parent groups tend to overlook or even dismiss? Grants. There are plenty of reasons why you should consider going after a grant. The Society for Nonprofits offers these three:

• Grants are often generous amounts
• After your first grant, you're more likely to receive additional grants
• Your organization's visibility and credibility are enhanced once you receive a grant.

Frankly, they're great reasons, and they make a strong case for doing it!

We know the application process can be rigorous, and the research required can be time-consuming. That's why we scoured the internet for a few resources to help get you started. (Or at least thinking about it.)

The latest on grants from the U.S. Department of Education

Different types of grants you should know about

The best grants for education in 2021 & beyond

Tips to getting your grant funded

Federal Government grants

Don't forget to bring these ideas with you to your next planning meeting. We're sure you'll be glad you did.

Author Bio

Clay Boggess has been designing fundraising programs for schools and various nonprofit organizations throughout the US since 1999. He’s helped administrators, teachers, and outside support entities such as PTAs and PTOs raise millions of dollars. Clay is an owner and partner at Big Fundraising Ideas.