How do I raise money for early childhood equiptment in a public school as a parent?

Question

My son is 4 w/ autism and is in an early childhood class. His teacher has limited funds to purchase teaching tools/equiptment for her classroom. Because the class is so small, the minority is not a focus for funds in the school. So I have taken the mission on myself with a few other parents. We are looking for available grants, fundraising ideas, or any other thoughts that could help. Thanks for your time!

Answer 1

I was a PTA parent for 3 yrs in a elementary school in a lower income area. during that time the school board was eliminating many programs in the schools as the precursor to establishing the busing/pairing programs as well as the magnet schools. So we learned that in order for our kids to continue to have as many opportunities as before we had to make the money to provide that. We did a great big rummage sale...very successful. Recycled newspaper and cans. Made greeting cards and silk screened tee shirts for sale. Had a carnival. Book sales. Candy sales.  Bake sales.The one reason we did so well was because we expected both the kids and their parents to participate as well as school staff. We did well enough to finance a trip for the sixth graders to the state capital every year. Gave out holiday baskets to the most needy in community. Had our own little food  and clothing bank. We even had an emergency fund for families in need of small amts. of money, i.e.; house fire, parent lost job, death in the family. And because we were in L.A. area and had some contact with a celebrity or some other well known person, we asked if they or their friends might donate either money or whatever they could like airplane miles. BUT you need  good strong leadership and a willing to cooperate group of parents.

Answer 2

start a donation and tell everyone its for a good cause if it is!Try and do like a ummmm oh yea try and set up a program like say since christmas is coming up do a program for that.

Answer 3

try looking for grants, one fundraiser would be selling cookies (cookie dough) around the Chrismas holidays as most schools do here in Alabama, sell chocolate bars, have a drawing or an auction.  hope a couple of these ideas help.

Mom of B & D

Answer 4

Have a bake sale or rummage sale, and advertise it (free advertising of course).  Try having some sort of walk-athon or jump-athon at the school, or some other type of free fundraising activity.  Good luck! :o)

Answer 5

It's the perfect time of year to be asking for those funds.  Many potential donors realize that time is running out for their 2006 charitable donation deductions.

Having raised money for many worthwhile causes over the years, this advice may sound so very simple but the answer is to ask for it.  The key is who is doing the asking.  Have merchants that you shop with regularly?  Know people in management of larger businesses?  Let's face it, if you believe what you are doing is "right", the easiest people to convince are your friends and acquaintences.

Rather than asking for a simple donation of money to the cause, ask them to sponsor a specific piece of equipment or some of the tools.  You'll be able to ask for a specific amount, tell what the money is being spent on, why the equipment is important and how many children are going to benefit.   Don't fall into the trap of asking for too little.  Allow them to feel a little challanged by the level of the donation and if it's too much, they'll tell you what will fit in their budget.  

Oh you can hold garage sales, sell light bulbs, popcorn (scouts do that one quite efficiently) , etc. and those are great to supplementing the operational budget but when capital needs come up like yours for equipment, asking donors to help fund those may prove to be the most effective approach.

One last point - the stock market is doing great.  Did you know that donors can give you appreciated securities, get credit for the donation on their tax return and not have to pay tax on their capital gains?  Ask an accountant about that one.  It's a wonderful time to use that approach.

Sounds like a great need, Good Luck !