We are halfway through the school year already – how did that happen?
After the initial push for PTA members in the Autumn term and those super Christmas fundraisers, we have reached the February half term. Progress often dips at this time of year, so how can we recharge parent involvement, hit those fundraising targets and maintain PTA fundraising momentum?
What is the PTA Fundraising Target?
Your PTA will be aiming to raise a specific amount of money, but ultimately, this will be spent on something tangible. How does your school plan to spend the funds?
It is easier to encourage parents to donate towards playground equipment, cooking or gardening tools, musical instruments or laptops than adding money to the pot. In all communication, focus on items that will enhance school life and benefit each child – that is the true target.
This focus on resources can also be reflected in visual displays, such as fundraising trackers in the playground or newsletters. If you are saving to update the library, book images could mark progress, for sports equipment, it could be basketballs moving up towards the net. This Pinterest page might inspire creative ideas.
Celebrate Each Fundraising Milestone
Mark progress with 6 milestones – one for each half term. As each is reached, celebrate your success. Thank everyone who has been involved and everyone who has contributed. Tell parents what reaching this point means in terms of what can now be purchased.
Use the opportunity to remind parents of upcoming events and activities:
Have you signed up for the family quiz yet?
Don’t forget we have a pyjama day next Friday!
Most parents are busy, so the first invite may not instigate action. Don’t be afraid to share reminders in the school newsletter, on social media or the school playground.
Be Specific about how Parents can Support the Cause
There are many ways in which parents can support the PTA fundraising efforts. Their time, money, contacts, expertise and resources could all be of value. You could create a commitment pledge to be sent to all families.
We need your support to reach the next fundraising milestone.
Can you:
- Give 2 hours of your time to help at this event on this date?
- Provide a large Easter egg or bake a cake for the Easter raffle?
- Help us to complete a funding application?
- Sign up to support our cause on Easyfundraising?
If there are a range of specific options, parents are more likely to commit than if there is a general request for PTA support. Include a section where they can enter their contact details and ask the forms to be returned. Then contact everyone who has offered help to thank them for their support.
Delegate PTA Fundraising Tasks
It is often the case that a few parents take on an incredible amount of work when they join the PTA. The workload must be shared out so that no one has too much to do. Fundraising is commendable, but it should also be enjoyable. Your health and well-being are more important than reaching a target.
A positive, collaborative team spirit will help make the experience fun and sociable. Meet up regularly, be open to offers of help and be assertive in asking for help from others. As a team, appreciate the skills and strengths that you all bring to the table and opt for fundraising activities that suit those skills.
Finally, seek support from established school fundraising companies that can provide ideas and take on some of the responsibility.
Keep PTA Fundraising on Track
As we reach the halfway point, take pride in what you have achieved so far. We wish you every success in maintaining motivation, engaging parents and pushing forward to the next milestone.
