Fundraisers from Directors at 2005 MA Camps
To fund a program you need to be creative, have parent support, and motivate your group to actively participate in moneymaking projects. We at MA Dance and Marching Auxiliaries understand that the concern of attaining your funds to compete, motivate, costume, and train your students is a vital objective in most directors planners. We have listed a few to inspire you and your students to begin the new school year.
These two ideas come from Linda Boone at Manatee HS in Bradenton, Florida. Linda is truly a legend at Manatee and we have been fortunate to have her share these ideas with us at camp in July.
1. Mr. “Insert the name of your group here” Contest.
The Manatee team has originated an idea that is a take-off of beauty pageants. However, the twist is that the winner of the event has raised the most money…for your team! The Manatee Dance team meets in the fall to nominate the students for the show. It has become very prestigious to be nominated and to wear the title for the school year. After the girls have voted, the boys begin to fundraise for their selection to be “Mr. _____”.
The nominees have a certain amount of time to collect their earnings. Some have solicited by mail, worked car washes, and had students donate money for their campaign.
The culmination of this event is a show, where ticket money is collected and includes performances by the team and other school organizations. The gentlemen go through modeling events, questioning, etc. to make the night suspenseful until the totals are calculated. The gentleman who has raised the most money is named “Mr. ____” for the year.
The title-holder is again announced at a football game and his picture is placed in the yearbook to commemorate the fun event.
This is an innovative way to make your team more prestigious on campus and have the community contribute to your group in a fun and novel manner.
2.Selling School Calendars
Again, we look to Linda Boone and her team for another great idea on fundraising. The team sells calendars with dates and “ads” for the school year. A print company reduces their fee to print monthly calendars with date squares that can have birthday notices, fun memories or school activities. The student’s love having their names on the planner and many of the area businesses contribute advertisements to solicit customers from the community.
A take-off of this idea could be a school phone directory or cell listing. You would need to contact your administration and have each student fill out a form allowing their number to be published.
As Linda says about both projects, “Once you complete the fundraiser, it becomes so much easier the next time.” The Manatee team and director have come up with ideas that really work in their community.
3. Potatoes for Teachers During Lunch
We loved this idea from Mrs. McNeel at Madison HS in Houston, Texas. As a service to the teachers and a fundraiser for the team, the parents set up a potato bar for the instructors to buy a hot and quick meal and help the team with their funds. Parents baked the potatoes at home and kept them warm in crock-pots over the set-up. Condiments are carried in, such as butter, cheese, bacon, etc. Don’t forget to pack plates and service ware!
The fee is nominal but the result is extra cash with a wonderful service for the teachers.
Another idea to add on to this lovely fund-raiser is to purchase bottle water and sell it as well! Many fundraising companies are selling “logo” bottle waters; the wrapper has your team name on the packaging.
4. Dinners and Silent Auction
Piggybacking a dinner with a community event, such as the first football game, provides not only the outlet for conducting a money-raiser; you can add-on another idea to increase profits.
Several of our clients host spaghetti dinners or have a catered event in conjunction with the first football game of the season. Pre-selling tickets provides not only added revenue, but defrays start-up costs for the event. Finding parents who love to grill or cook can be as easy as asking for volunteers…many of them love to share their talents!
The addition of donated vendor gifts such as a “spa basket” from an area beauty salon or a “date night” from a local eatery, provide wonderful bidding gifts. Ask the donor to set a minimum bid and then have cards for the items to be listed with the amount and the bidders name.
Group products by area, such as Christmas items, luxury ticket items or kid’s activities to add appeal to the products and lend prestige to the event. Don’t forget to include thank you cards for the winners to pen a short note to the donating businesses!
5. School Dances, Kick-a-thons or other fun events
Students love to interact and providing the outlet for fun and socializing can mean money for your team. In Issaquah, Washington, the Eastside Catholic Drill Team hosted a Valentine Dance for their school. It was held at a local aquarium on the pier, a charming and “minimal decorating” location. Tickets were pre-sold and a higher fee was charged at the door to defray any additional refreshment costs. Cokes and snacks were available for purchase and a DJ was used to provide the music. Ask your drama coach or band director to recommend a student in their departments to serve in this capacity.
Kick-a-thons are easy events with students asking for pledges for how many hours, kicks or time they spend dancing to raise money for the team. Don’t forget to invite the media and make plenty of posters, - the start-up cost is minimal but the success of the fundraiser depends on the students “hustle” to secure donations.
6. Collect donations from local businesses and clubs
For individuals on your team wishing to attend a special event or trip, often the best way to raise additional funds is to visit local community organizations (Elks Club, Lions Club, Civitan, Kiwanis, etc.) and ask for a small donation to help defray the total cost - $25 or $50 from each of several groups can make a big difference. You can also visit local businesses with the same request. People are much more willing and able to financially support an individual or group when asked for a modest contribution. If you receive any donations, be sure to publicly acknowledge the organization / business in newspaper stories – and always send a thank-you note!
These are some wonderful ideas to get you started. Let us know what works for your team…we look forward to hearing from you. Good luck and see you at a camp, clinic, contest or special event!
Sincerely,
The MA Staff
Back to Special Events Page
