2020 may have been the year of COVID, social distancing, cancelled in-person events, and remote learning and working, but it’s also been the year of creativity. We have been more creative than ever to keep our lives going as “normally” as possible.
In a recent episode of the Multipurpose Room podcast, “Successful PTA Online Event Planning,” hosts Wes and Debora Jones of K-12 Clothing, partner of SquadLocker, welcome PTA parent volunteer, Sara Franko. Sara recently planned a fundraising event for her school community in the suburbs of Chicago that raised $5,000, after all expenses were paid. She shares how important it has been this year in particular to get creative so that successful, fun events continue on to support students.
5 Tips to Get Creative for School Fundraisers
After Sara’s virtual Trivia Night event for her children’s school community, she was stopped on the street and congratulated for the great fundraiser. Other school communities reached out to her asking how she got it done amidst all the challenges. Here are her tips for getting creative:
- 1. Personal asks go a long way. Contact family and friends via text or call to ask for help with an event, to buy tickets, donate to or sponsor an event.
- 2. Find out what other schools are doing successfully and reach out for details. Many schools are sharing their successes so others can benefit.
- 3. Use FAQs or Q&As when promoting events so people are clear and comfortable how this now virtual event will work. Communicating with event attendees is more complicated virtually, so the more clear and concise information you can provide upfront, the better.
- 4. Sell add-ons during your events. Ask for donations. Sara’s trivia night sold hints to questions and bonus rounds, which yielded $2,000. You have a captive audience, so don’t forget to ask.
- 5. Brainstorm among many. There’s never been a more important time to brainstorm and think out-of-the-box to drum up new ideas. Many schools and PTAs are hosting fun, successful events despite the challenges. It’s possible!
Virtual events aren’t going away in 2021, so get creative with planning your online social gatherings and fundraisers. Sara used Hambone’s Trivia to host her virtual Trivia Night, which she gives much credit to for its success. To learn specifically how Sara organized a successful virtual Trivia Night for 200 people who had a blast, listen to this episode here:
About Multipurpose Room Podcast
Multipurpose Room podcast, supported by SquadLocker, is hosted by strategic partner K-12 Clothing, a PTA-Dad created business that provides high-quality school apparel while increasing access to educational resources through fundraising in schools. The Multipurpose Room provides real-life issues that PTAs, PTOs, and school staff are dealing with and offers practical tips.
SquadLocker supports schools by managing the entire process of acquiring custom school uniforms, sports gear, and spirit wear – from instant online store creation to free graphic artwork assistance as well as decoration, production, and fulfilment. Learn more at https://www.squadlocker.com/solutions/schools.
