PTA fundraising during a pandemic?!

[LillyBugg]

I'm on both a school and a preschool PTA. The main money makers are just not going to happen this year, Christmas Fairs, quiz nights, pamper evenings etc. Are there any bright, out of the box ideas out there that you'd like to share please?!

We also have a raffle & some donated items we can sell on Ebay. Sucks, though.

DS2’s school has an Amazon wish list. I very happily stump up a fair amount each term and then quietly excuse myself from cake baking at two days notice etc. They have lots of cheaper items on it to (individual books etc) and I know some of the class Mums were doing a joint effort. They’re doing the very expensive child drawn Xmas cards for the first time this year because of the pandemic and I think most people get that it’s a decent substitute for the Xmas fair.

On Facebook there is a group called PTA Ideas Exchange which is really helpful

100 club. I read it in here a year or so ago and it sounds brilliant. We haven't done it yet, but basically, parents pick a number and pay for it. £10? (I'm sketchy on details). Then at end of term or half term we draw the numbers. We split the proceeds made roughly in half with the half going to pta, the other half going on winnings.

Sounds perfect as no time for anything else plus it's all done online (I hope). That's potentially £500 each term (or half term). I think parents would be up for not having to do all the other stuff! In a bigger school, you could do 200 club etc.

Ours are doing a virtual balloon race. No idea how much it costs but it looks like the company does most of the work, you promote it and people buy the balloons online, can customise them, and then you can track the balloons etc. Seems like a bit of fun and not too much effort.

Design a bag and sell

bag

Produce a book of short stories written by children, and sell.

Bag 2 School - clothes collection. Always very popular, especially now as charity shops are full.

bag 2 school

I'd happily donate regularly to avoid all the events too, but part of the point of the events is that they're fun for the children. It's about raising money while also giving the children some fun activities.

Get everyone to register to use Amazon Smile and then the PTA gets a percentage of everything bought on Amazon.

amazon.co.uk/gp/chpf/homepage?orig=%2F%3Ftag%3Dgooghydr-21%26hvadid%3D232361766627%26hvpos%3D%26hvexid%3D%26hvnetw%3Dg%26hvrand%3D15425027508872871078%26hvpone%3D%26hvptwo%3D%26hvqmt%3De%26hvdev%3Dt%26ref%3Dpd_sl_88t6ja85j9_e Amazon smile]]

Just had a look at the Boxclever site, the diaries look amazing but I can't see where to sign up for their fundraising details.

I’ll try again

amazon.co.uk/gp/chpf/homepage?orig=%2F%3Ftag%3Dgooghydr-21%26hvadid%3D232361766627%26hvpos%3D%26hvexid%3D%26hvnetw%3Dg%26hvrand%3D15425027508872871078%26hvpone%3D%26hvptwo%3D%26hvqmt%3De%26hvdev%3Dt%26ref%3Dpd_sl_88t6ja85j9_e Amazon smile]]

🙄

amazon.co.uk]]

Remember if you're doing a raffle or similar and the tickets are being sold online / not at an 'event' then you'll need a small lotteries licence. Your local council licensing dept will be able to help.

Our PTA has just launched a termly lottery. It’s ten pounds per term and 25% goes towards a cash prize on the last day of term.

@passmethewineplease that's a lot of money! Is it just a simple Facebook selling page? Where are all the items stored to sell? I bet it's actually quite a lot of work?

Ours has done a virtual pet show that went well, send in a pic of pet to be judged in a load of different categories 'most gorgeous guinea pig' etc. It was judged by Head, local councillor, vicar etc.
Also non uniform day, Christmas cards and Christmas raffle planned.

Most success has just been asking for money through Just Giving for specific things for school.

EasyFundraising and Amazon Smile are set up and advertised but no one uses them unfortunately.

I would set up a just giving (or similar), and let people know what you are fundraising for and make it live straight away while you are thinking of other ideas.

Can you set targets the kids would enjoy, if you raise X amount Mr Jones will do something silly to celebrate

Home craft packs would be fun (Christmas/Halloween/Bonfire themed?)

Online pet show would be great

A quiz trail pack that starts and ends at the school and goes around your local area

Make your own frame kits to go with school photos

@AHintOfStyle I don’t think anyone will be interested in prosecuting a pta!

@guinnessguzzler please don’t do a balloon race. Burst balloons landing in fields are a serious hazard to wildlife and farm animals. Isn’t there enough litter in the world! (Not sure if you meant virtual balloons too. If so, as you were)

Any school who uses online payments could ask the school to set up a 'Donate to PTA' item.

[quote madroid]@AHintOfStyle I don’t think anyone will be interested in prosecuting a pta!

@guinnessguzzler please don’t do a balloon race. Burst balloons landing in fields are a serious hazard to wildlife and farm animals. Isn’t there enough litter in the world! (Not sure if you meant virtual balloons too. If so, as you were) [/quote]
@madroid I think anyone who holds an elected position on a PTA shouldn't be putting themselves in a position where they potentially could be prosecuted. Particularly if the PTA is registered as a charitable organisation as many appear to be.

The best method I found was asking directly for donations. People prefer a no fuss approach. Don't set an amount, just whatever they are in a position to give. The hardest to pull off was a raffle. After buying top up prizes (getting donations was like pulling teeth) And getting tickets printed it raised about £20. Not worth the hassle.

We did a chocolate quiz last year. £ per sheet. First fully correct entry drawn after the closing date wins. The prize was a tub of celebrations. Give clues to chocolate bars eg speak quietly = wispa. It could be done as an online form I'm guessing or people can download it and then email it in.

Get the school to still do Nativity/Christmas plays with no parents in the audience then sell the dvd s or tickets to a virtual screening.

If the teachers/TAs are able to support what about doing sleepovers? Class bubbles so no mixing, movie on in the main hall, snacks and drinks plus (bonus!!) An overnight of babysitting.

£20 a ticket (£5 towards the night and £15 per ticket to the PTA)

Ours is currently planning:
Balloon race
Virtual fair of local businesses
Film nights in class bubbles
Uniform sales resuming remotely.

Our school are doing a make the rules day. There is a list of 10 suitable rules (eg wear your pyjamas to school for the day, wear your trainers, have temporary tattoos on, nail varnish etc). For each rule the child wants to follow that day they pay 50p. It has been made very clear that all other school rules remain in place on the day!