Another Way to Get a Big Event Fundraising Program

Find out if your school can benefit from a big event.

Many schools already know the advantages of using a big event fundraising prize program to motivate their students to sell compared to a more traditional prize plan.

For example, students who sell just a few items from their brochure get to attend an exciting event at their school as opposed to receiving a cheap and inexpensive toy in their box. On the other hand, traditional prize programs require students to make a lot of sales before winning something worthwhile. Schools also receive an educational benefit if they choose a magic or reptile show. However, what happens if you're one of those schools that contend with one or more of the following situations?

Limited Student Enrollment

You are a smaller elementary school and wonder if you can meet the minimum dollar amount to receive a free event as part of your big event.

We have had smaller schools raise enough money to qualify for a free big event; the smaller schools typically average more items sold per student. However, there is a point where a school just may be too small, no matter how much their students sell. There are a couple of options if you are a smaller school and don't think you have enough students.

1. Choose a traditional prize program.
2. Choose Option B. This creates a potential 'win-win' situation. With Option B, you start with a traditional prize program. If you reach the minimum sales goal, we will automatically graduate you up to the big event you selected ahead of time. In addition, you can do what we call 'changing your mind'. If you initially choose Option B, you can still switch to your big event even if you fall short of the sales goal. Several schools did this when their sales were much higher than they thought. As a result, they realize that the cost share amount isn't that much at all.

Poor Fundraiser Sales History

You have enough students; however, your sales haven't historically been that good.

1. You likely used a traditional prize program with your previous brochure fundraiser. When you compare the results from a big event fundraising prize program to a traditional program, sales improve with the former. Therefore, even though you may think your sales history is a good predictor, you are comparing apples and oranges to what your sales could be with a big event.
2. If your school has performed poorly in the past with a traditional prize program, it may be wise to go back and take a closer look at why this may have occurred. For example, you may have had your fundraiser right after a nearby school did theirs, or perhaps you didn't promote your sale enough.
3. You still have Option B available as a fallback plan.

Our ultimate goal is for many schools to experience a big event prize program. As a result, we have created several ways to help you get there.

See our big event fundraising programs.

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.