5 Reasons Why School Fundraising is So Important

How fundraising offers essential lifelong skills and cognitive benefits.

School fundraising is important because the extra money ensures kids and teens benefit from added resources and enriching programs. Schools would have difficulty supplementing their budgets without candy bar sales, brochure fundraisers, or discount cards. But fundraising also benefits the child and the community as a whole. Let's dive into five reasons why fundraising is essential.

Helps children learn essential life skills

Asking for donations or selling items helps kids and teens learn how to reason and speak to others in a clear, friendly way. The activity also teaches the importance of meeting deadlines and reaching goals. Students also learn to develop strong business acumen and how to handle money.

Strengthens family

Families that do things together have a stronger bond, which helps foster good child development. According to the American Psychological Association, the family—especially the parent and caregiver—is essential. And the importance begins in early childhood and extends into the teenage years.

Studies have shown that a child or teen participating in family activities like riding bikes or attending concerts and sporting events will have a higher sense of belonging and self-esteem. When families choose volunteering or fundraising as family activities, the children benefit from learning compassion and feeling more connected to their community.

Allows your school or group to shine

Imagine your school or group had a great story to tell. You want to share it but have limited resources, so advertising is out of the question. That's where Public Relations or PR can come into play.

According to the Public Relations Society of America, "Public relations is a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics." Used strategically, PR can get your group's media attention authentically. Before you embark on a PR campaign, consider what you should know about public relations.

Creates a sense of community

Fundraising and volunteering can create a sense of community—within the organization or group and with the civic community as a whole. When students, teachers, and families work together toward a common goal, they can develop a deep appreciation for one another. Raising funds may also mean contacting local businesses or community members for help. This gives the people in the community a way to feel like they're helping a good cause.

Keeps your group moving forward

Meeting your school fundraising goal isn't a one-and-done situation. There always will be more programs that need an extra infusion of support or items not covered by the school budget. No matter what, a steady stream of funding will be needed. When positioned correctly, consistently supporting more programs or providing more enrichment opportunities can help motivate your group and keep them excited to make a difference.

We want to hear from you! What do you think is the most crucial reason to fundraise?

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.