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Motivate Students and
Increase Participation
Remember the following fundraising formula: Communication + Motivation =
Participation = Donation
The formula is simple, but it's proven to increase
proceeds by as much as 30% or more.
Usually, most school groups will make participating in the
event mandatory, but participation in the fundraising campaign is optional.
Competition for prizes is guaranteed to increase
participation in your campaign. And
there are plenty of opportunities for rounding up prizes.
Schools can host weekly drawings every Friday for the student
who brings in the largest amount of donations and for all students who bring
in at least 30% of their goal.
Also, when finding or purchasing prizes, consider a group
of high end prizes to be awarded to the top 5 or 6 money raisers.
Here are some prize ideas to consider!
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Free Prize Ideas - There are several prizes that are
practically free that will motivate school students to participate in your
fundraising campaign
o
Principal
for a Day
o
Line-leader
for a week
o
Extra Recess
for a classroom
o
Get out
of Homework Free - can be played anytime a student wants out of a homework
assignment can be handed out at the classroom level or individual student
level.
o
Classroom
gets first for lunch for a week or other lunch privileges.
·
Free food coupons (enough for all
participants) - food
coupons generate business for local restaurants and fast food
establishments. You will find free
cookies, ice cream, kid's meals or buy one get one free entrées.
Food coupons are great for filling goody bags.
·
Hotel Stays and Pool Parties - Many hotels will donate a free night or
even a pool party for up to 12 children.
These are great prizes. When
seeking hotel stays, look at larger cities as far away as 100 miles away.
·
Limo Rides and Lunches - Limo
Companies aren't very busy during lunch - making it easy to get a great deal
or free limo ride for your participants.
Weekly contest ideas: The participant that raises the most money per
week may win the limo ride and students that raise at least 30% of their goal
may enter a drawing for the limo ride.
One Limo will seat 6 or 8 school children so choose two winners per
week during your campaign.
·
Sporting Events - Whether its baseball, basketball or football, many cities
have pro or semi-pro teams that have plenty of tickets available for
charitable organizations. Be sure
that your game tickets are for a game that will be played after you've hosted
your fundraiser.
Take it to the next level and ask for a pass for ball
boy/girl, bat boy/girl or sideline tickets.
·
Amusement Parks, Museums and Zoos -Attractions are always popular for adults and
children. Be sure to ask for enough tickets
for the whole family or multiple sets.
These tickets cost nothing to provide to your group and
will generate revenue for the parks with food and gift sales.
·
Gift Cards - Many national chains may provide gift cards for as much as
$100 or more. The cards can be given
away as prizes, or used to purchase fun electronics equipment like Flip Video
cameras, MP3 players or iPod docking stations.
·
Distressed / Dated Merchandise - Items that are outdated or being replaced by newer models
are usually held back for the clearance table.
Check with store managers to see if they have clearance products
that might be of interest to your participants and ask if they will help you
with your fundraising event with free or heavily discounted merchandise.
·
Food / Water / Sport Drinks - Make arrangements to pick up food items just days before
the event. Work with local
supermarkets to see if they will donate bottled water and fresh fruit. Be sure to schedule a pick up time to
ensure fresh produce.
·
Goody Bags - There are a ton of little things that can be used to fill
goody bags for school age children. Erasers, key chains squeeze balls and free
food coupons are but a few of the options you can find.
·
Miscellaneous - Many corporations have tradeshow giveaways in abundance;
ask about these when following up with a phone call.
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