How to Turn Your Parents into Fundraiser Advocates

Reach your goal by gaining support from your parents.

Experiencing sales success is often easier said than done. It's probably safe to say that many elementary schools do not reach their desired financial objectives.

Why is that? This is a tricky question to answer because there are so many variables. However, there are things you can do to ensure you get the most out of your selling experience. A great place to start is to discover ways to turn your parents into fundraiser advocates. Your parents are probably your greatest asset because they are the ones who will ultimately decide whether to participate or not.

Promotional Fundraising Ideas Aimed at Parents

Most students don't need someone to convince them to become excited about your sale. They already are. Students know they'll win prizes for selling items from a brochure, but is that enough? Sure, but that's only half the battle. How can you convince their parents? You'll need to do more work by getting creative with your promotional efforts. Sell your parents on why they should pay attention:

• Announce your fundraiser at a parent meeting and discuss the following:
  • Why you're having it in the first place, and how will it benefit everyone?
  • What brochure do you plan to sell, and why will people be excited about it?
  • Build up the prize program by describing some prizes in the prize brochure.
• Send home a kickoff date courtesy notice ahead of time by informing them:
  • When to expect their student's packet.
  • About your program and their child will benefit.
• Announce your sale on social media.

Many Students will Convince their Parents to Sell

It sure won't hurt to excite your students by giving them an excellent kickoff experience. After all, they're the ones who will help sell your program to your parents. The more excited they are, the more they'll push your fundraiser.

You must promote your fundraiser to your parents as much as your students. By turning your parents into fundraiser advocates, you'll be well on your way toward reaching your sales goals.

What are some additional ways you've found that increase parent support?

See our brochure fundraisers.

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.