Updated: June 2007

Parents have always run an enormous range of events in schools; some were largely social occasions where the fundraising was incidental and some were purely fundraising.    At our regional meetings we are often asked, "What is the secret of a successful event?"   There is no one magic secret and what works well at one school can be an utter failure at another. However, there are a few general points it’s worth bearing in mind.

• Focus your main fundraising activities on one or two major events so that parents don't feel that they are always being asked for money.
• It helps if you can tell people in advance what you are aiming to buy and why.
• Always tell parents how much was raised and what the money was used for.
• Try to involve the pupils as much as possible.  Ask them what they would like money spent on.  In primary schools, playground games and trips are popular; in secondaries pupils often want lockers.
• Involve the youngsters by getting different year groups to raise money for different items within the total project.

Until recently most PTAs spent their money on computers, but the Government has recently made a lot of money available to upgrade school computers and put in networks so it’s sensible to look at other needs - maybe some staging or sport/art/music equipment.   In rural areas, taking the children on trips to the cinema, theatre or sports facilities are popular.

As for types of fundraising activities, despite the range of individual events, most fall into a few broad categories.

The school fundraiser

This can range from a simple coffee morning to a full blown gala with bouncy castle, side shows, pony rides etc.   It can be as simple or as complex as you like.   It usually includes the sale of home made cakes etc. which remains a good money spinner.

Sponsored events

These are very popular with the children, who are usually good at getting relatives to sponsor them.   The sponsored activities can be almost anything - period of silence, walk, cycle ride, swim, bounce, spelling bee, balloon race etc.

Pure fundraisers

These events are designed to raise money with minimal participation and vary in success. They include:-

• A major raffle
  The PTA/Parent Council secures big prizes and has proper tickets printed to sell locally.   Considerable sums can be raised this way but you do need a licence for this type of raffle.  You can get it from the licensing department of your local council.
• 200 clubs
  People are asked to contribute a set amount, usually £5 or £10, and then there are regular prize draws.   Half the money raised must go back as prizes, the rest is for PTA/Parent Council funds.
• Product catalogues
  Some mail order firms, e.g. Webb Ivory, will give PTAs/Parent Councils an "agency" fee if parents order goods through their catalogues.

Pupil products

This is usually a good and popular money spinner.   At the simplest level you can use the children's drawings to produce a calendar or Christmas cards.   Some schools go for professional full colour printing, but it is also possible to do a simpler job using the school Xerox machine and coloured paper.   The advantage of this is that every year, there is a new market!

Commercial companies will also produce specific school goods - the tea towel containing drawings of every child in a class/year group, school mugs, mouse mats etc.    However, you usually have to order quite large quantities and could be left with rather a lot of unwanted items.

School Uniform

Some PTAs/Parent Councils organise the sale of school uniforms or sweatshirts.  There can be quite a high outlay in this, as well as storage problems.   You also might need to consider insuring the goods whilst you are storing them.  SPTC can arrange this.

Car Boot Sales

These fall into two categories. There's the in-house event where it's essentially an outdoor jumble sale or you can make the school available to outsiders and just charge per car.   You need to check with the authority about lets and conditions.

Fashion Shows

Local shops are often willing to lend clothes for fashion shows although you need to check the insurance situation - again we can help.  These work best when the children/staff model the clothes.

TV Spectaculars

A number of PTAs/Parent Councils borrow from TV shows like "Pop Idol", with the children as contestants.

Social events

These can be for parents only or for families and whilst they may raise money, the main focus is on everyone having a good time.   There's a whole range of such activities including dances, line dancing, ceilidhs, wine tasting, quiz nights, beetle drives and bingo.   These last two can be good "getting to know you" events, if you get people to change teams or tables.   Race Nights are more complicated as they involve bringing in an outsider with all the equipment, but they can be very exciting and enormous fun. 

You can also have themed nights e.g. a "seventies night" for those parents who still have flares, men's quiz nights to get the Dads involved, a ladies pamper night, family karaoke nights or an auction of promises

For specific fundraising ideas go to our website www.sptc.info and look at Tips and Ideas in the “Info Shop” section

Other leaflets available

• What is a PTA?
• What is Parent Council?
• A Model Constitution (PTAs)
• A Model Constitution (Parent Councils)
• Charities, Constitutions & Confusion
• Money matters
• The Qualifications Mystery Tour!
• Advice on Disclosure Checks

ABOUT S.P.T.C.

You may be interested to know that our membership insurance scheme covers:

• Public Liability
• Personal Accident
• Fidelity Guarantee
• Employer's Liability
• All-Risks for equipment purchased for the school
• Short-term all-risks insurance for special events.