Has your homeschool ever done a fundraiser?

Question

My daughter really wants to start practicing violin again, and has a strong interest in other instruments. We can't afford a violin, and can't rent because our rural community doesn't have that option.

Have any of you done a fundraiser for instruments, books, curriculum, science stuff, ect? What kind did you do, how did it work for you?

Answer 1

Umm I'm a homeschooler who did a fundraiser with her church for a youth group trip to europe. Umm I put in an add in the paper and just asked random people I knew  to donate.

Answer 2

Try searching the newspaper for used violins or Craigslist.com, they have everything

Answer 3

I haven't really ever called it a fundraiser, but I have raised money for our homeschool through a Yard Sale.  One year a friend was sick with cancer, and the doctors had given her no hope so she was trying alternative medicine.  Insurance didn't cover that so everyone was trying to help.  I had a Yard Sale for her and raised over $900 (I think people were extra generous because of the cause).

Anyway, a few years later I had another yard sale just to raise money for homeschooling.  I had less stuff to sell this time, and people didn't feel compelled to overpay, but I still brought in $150.

Oh, just in case you are wondering.  My friend didn't make it. :o(

Answer 4

No, I always felt uncomfortable when public school children begged for money so I did not want to be a hypocrite.  Instead, I have found ways to be more frugal and save money to set aside for extra things.  It is possible to get things from other people or to share, though.  You don't have to be as far-out frugal as I am and make jump ropes out of old bread bags and duct tape.  :D

I have organized home school swaps, in which we bring things we are not using and take what we can use.  We can keep them, or later, we switch those things, if we desire.  Sometimes the home school swap is only for clothes and toys, but when we trade clothes, we can better afford those special extra things.  If your home school support group is large enough, you can organize a home school library where curriculum, microscopes, small violins, and so forth can be stored until needed.  You should also consider joining "freecycle"  Google that and find out what group is closest to you.  In my own county this year alone, you could have got a free horse, a free lop-ear rabbit, a piano, a couch (that would be the home school reading area) and much, much more.  Also, you can ask your local library about how to start up a request for a grant.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if your local library had a resource room for home schoolers?  It has been done before and it is certainly legal.  You would be asking for money but it would be more easily justified because the whole community will be able to share in the joy!

Answer 5

We don't do personal family fund raisers, but we do have to save and scrounge sometimes when we need money for something.

Freecycle.org is a great website because you can see if anyone is offering your item for free in your area. Also craigslist for cheap things.

There is always yard sales (and at our yard sales my kids generally like to sell lemonade, or hot cocoa when it's cold, or cookies or something they baked).

Also there is bartering with others, or trying to raise money by earning it through babysitting, helping clean yards or garages, or doing some kind of task.

Answer 6

I agree with the above comment about "begging" for money.

But, I think providing a legitimate, useful and fairly priced product or service is perfectly fine.

I know of a family that sold Christmas wreaths one year to finance a family trip to D.C.  They were successful and had so much fun they do it every year now.

Consider a car wash or a dog wash.  In a weekend, you will probably *earn* enough money to purchase a violin.

Answer 7

Sort of.

I needed about $100 for a Brain Pop membership. So I signed up at a temp agency and worked a couple short jobs to make the money. My daughter went to work with my husband on those days and now my kiddo has Brain Pop, which she enjoys very much.

That is my idea of a homeschool fundraiser.

Answer 8

Yes, many acually.

We did food, magazines, wrapping paper, etc.

Magazines raised money for the school, you would win prizes each mag you sell, and you can win free money in games.

Answer 9

Hello,

A month ago I tried this program called Fundraising2u.com they sell these unique fundraising cards for internet discounts. Margins are pretty good and I think it will be a good place to start. check them out.

Answer 10

We haven't, but my son (10) found a job with a local businessperson about a year and a half ago, delivering flyers to local neighborhoods.  She pays him a flat rate per house, and he makes enough to pay for his baseball season and gear, as well as swimming lessons and "extras" throughout the year.  It takes a day or two of walking during the month, but he makes enough to do what he wants.  He also occasionally uses this money if he really wants to take a course that we can't afford at the time - if he really wants to study it, he doesn't mind paying for the curriculum or class.  He just scouts around for the best deal and plans his budget accordingly.

I wish that we could pay for everything that he wanted to do, but this has actually taught him a lot of things (at 9 and 10) about money that I wish I had known when I started college.  It also helps him to feel more responsible for his choices - when it's his money that he's shelling out, he makes sure that it's something he's going to want to follow through on.

Just my thoughts!

Answer 11

No, I never have done this, but I have contributed to many a public school kid fundraising.  Some of that for the schools, sometimes because they need help with their part of expenses for a trip or whatever.

One thing can be a yard sale.  Ask people to contribute items, and shop.  That could prove difficult in a rural setting.  Your daughter could do a walk-a-thon, walking for a violin.  Have her set a course and ask people to donate per mile.  

There is also just plain work.  Pet sitting, yard work, babysitting... things people will pay you and/or your daughter to do.

Good luck :D

Answer 12

I have a great option for one for you that doesn't seem like many other "school" fundraisers.  Our HS co-op is thinking of using it as are the missionaries I work for.

Library & Educational Services, which sells wholesale to HS'ers, now has a fundraising program.  You receive 40% of the sales, and you also can order samples at 50% off (I think that's right).  You will have to sign up on their site as a free member to read the details.

I order from LES at least once a quarter.  They are an awesom company with great products.  While much of their material is Christian, they do have secular items, like the newly added History Channel & A&E DVD's.  Their 5-day sales are even better than their already low prices.

(I don't work for them or get a kickback - I just love ordering from them!)

http://www.libraryanded.com

EDITED to add:

There is another Christian option (not sure if that fits your family or not).  Answers in Genesis has their wonderful "Answers" magazine.  If you sell subscriptions, you get to keep part of the money.

I don't see it on their website, but they have a full-page ad in the magazine.  You could contact them for details.

http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles...

Answer 13

look for scholarships on the web, newspaper, ect. Or else it sounds like you’all are begging for money. Otherwise sale lemonade or cookies or something. Garage sale?