Gaining Fundraising Parental Support

Finding Parental Support for your Fundraiser

As school funding continues to be cut, educators are at a loss for gaining the necessary funds to keep physical education classes, dance and music programs, team sports and special education curriculums running for those who need them most.

Teachers and school staff have started to reach out to parents, to urge them to take a vested interest in neighborhood schools. This parental support has led to a very hands-on approach to school support and much of that support comes from fundraising.

Educators depend on the money made through school fundraisers, and the support of students’ parents, to help run them. However, how do you establish and maintain a good fundraising relationship with your students' parents to ensure their support? We’ve put together some helpful tips for you to consider when reaching out to parents for their crucial support:

Communication is the Key

Communication, and timely communication at that, is of the utmost importance! If you respect the time and effort of your students’ parents, that will go a long way in gaining and keeping their support. That means when you communicate with them you need to get all relevant information to them in a timely and concise manner. The majority of households have both parents working full time jobs, so we can’t stress enough how critical it is to give them plenty of warning when you have a fundraiser coming up. Guilt doesn’t work when schedules, financial budgets or both get in the way of supporting their child’s school. If you are constantly sending home calls for support at the last minute, they will likely resent and withhold their support even if time permits their support.

Ask for Their Input

The input of those participating is always important. So if you’re asking for support from parents and expect them to comply, you better listen to their concerns and try to accommodate their schedules as best possible. Also, many parents work at large firms or small companies that might be valued sponsors for your fundraising events. If you get parents on your side by working for the betterment of their kids, you will have allies who will be willing to go to bat for you when you need sports equipment or team jerseys donated.

Take Advantage of Technology

Busy parents still have time to check email—if they work desk jobs chances are this is the most convenient form of communication for them to receive. With email, there is no excuse for not getting information about your fundraisers out in a timely manner. Sure, you can still rely on meetings, newsletters, and bulletin boards for parents who appreciate them, but busy parents will appreciate a detailed email or website with all of the pertinent information. A mix of communication methods will ensure everyone is kept up-to-date—and it might save some paper as well.

Plan, Plan, Plan in Advance

In order to get your volunteers (parents) in a timely manner, you must plan ahead when it comes to organizing a fundraising event. That means, make use of a written fundraising plan for the year. This can give a detailed description, date and time when you need parental support for the entire year. This way parents can plan far ahead if their time is needed and confusion will be kept to a minimum. It is wise to make use of email and newsletters as reminders leading up to the event.

Say Thanks

Parents who help with fundraising are volunteers who devote their time for free. In lieu of payment a thank you is always nice. Never miss an opportunity to show your appreciation—no matter how small. A simple thank you will show parents that you respect the time they’ve donated. Also ensure that everyone involved is aware of the money they’ve helped raised and how it was spent.

Final Tips for Gaining Parental Fundraising Support

You never can communicate too much - A monthly school-wide calendar, newsletters, emails, meetings and a website…
Distribute fundraising surveys - for parental input and feedback
Use technology for busy parents – Just because their busy doesn’t mean they don’t want to be involved. Communicate through a website and a list of email addresses
Offer face-to-face time – or a telephone call for those that appreciate and have time for it
Plan ahead – as best you can for fundraising efforts for the year, and provide a calendar to everyone involved
Establish open communication with parents early on – through open houses and an open door policy
Note the positive – Sure you call parents when Jimmy gets detention, but when is the last time you called just to tell them their kid did something well? Many parents appreciate this.
Age is irrelevant – Continue to keep parents informed through calls, emails and websites regardless of the age of their child
Inform them – Many parents feel there's not a need to be as involved in their child's school life because they don’t know why or how it would help