DIY Fundraising Marketing: "Sorry I Missed You"

How to create leave-behinds that get the word out about your fundraiser.

School fundraisers are a dime-a-dozen, but the right creative approach can help your student stand out. We’ll offer step-by-step creative ideas that are cost-effective ways to inform the community about your school fundraising program.

One of the golden rules of networking is always to have a leave behind—something that succinctly expresses your mission and allows people to reconnect with you.

One strategy worth considering is the “Sorry, I missed you!” flyer. This is a way to keep reaching out bold and straightforwardly.

Supplies:leave a legacy—

• Markers
• 50 sheets of neon paper (not stock)
• Pens
• Printed half sheets with your
• Hole punch
• Glue sticks
• Yarn

Steps:

1. Use a word processing program to write a short but compelling mission and introductory statement. Aim to fit three onto a sheet. Include your and your school’s names, and give some examples of the products.
2. Cut out 50 of these short statements.
3. Affix them to the bottom third of your 50 sheets of neon paper with glue sticks.
4. Hole punch the top left corner of each sheet.
5. With your child, decorate each sheet with illustrations of apples, books, school buses, and pencils. Giving each one an individual touch will help your friends and neighbors feel special.
6. Measure out 50 8-inch strings of twine. Loop them through the holes and tie a knot at the ends.
7. Bring these with you as you venture around your community, and leave them in the doors of the people you miss.

Of course, be mindful of your community’s rules about solicitation and use your instincts. And be sure only to include contact information for parents you feel comfortable sharing.

Tools like these help make your fundraiser more efficient. Instead of returning to missed opportunities, they can easily contact you if they’re interested. It also helps them assess your mission and develop a sense of affinity for your cause before beginning the sales conversation.

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.