You ran the fundraiser. The money came in. Everyone clapped at the next PTA meeting. But here's a fair question: did your school actually keep as much as it could have?
Plenty of fundraisers bring in less than they should and nobody notices, because the totals look fine on the surface. Here are five signs yours might be one of them.
- You're running the same fundraiser you ran five years agoLoyalty is great. But the products, the prices, and what families actually buy have all changed since then. If nobody has taken a fresh look since the last principal arrived, you're probably due for one.
- You're watching the percentage, not the totalA high profit percentage is easy to get excited about, but it's the total dollars that pay for the playground. A well-run fundraiser at a lower percentage can bring in more than a high-percentage one your families ignore. Look at what actually landed in the account last year, not just the rate.
- Fewer families join in every yearWhen turnout drops each time, don't blame the product first. Usually it's that families are tired of being asked, the order form is a hassle, or the kids just aren't excited about it anymore.
- You're doing almost all the work yourselfIf you're stuffing envelopes, chasing forms, and sorting boxes in the cafeteria at 9pm, that fundraiser is costing you plenty in hours even when the dollars look good. That cost is real, it just never shows up on the report.
- Nobody local ever picks up the phoneA catalog and an 800 number can't tell you what's working at the school down the street. Someone who knows your area, your district, and your calendar can.
What to do about it
If even two or three of these sound familiar, your next fundraiser could do quite a bit better with a few small changes. You don't have to throw out what already works.
I'm James, and I help schools around Dallas and Collin County run fundraisers that keep more money in the building. I'm happy to look at what you ran last year and tell you, honestly, where the extra money might be hiding. No pressure, no sales script.
Give me a call or text at 214-546-5769, or send a quick note through the contact page, and we'll take a look together.