AIBU to expect other parents to support a preschool fundraising events?

[Pregnantabroad]

I'm organising a fundraiser for our small preschool. They're struggling to meet the funding needs so I've organised a ticketed evening event and I'm really surprised at how little support there is from other parents (availability and suitability aside - it's on a Friday night and aimed at women). I know I can sell the tickets to other friends and contacts in the village but I'm disappointed by the reaction of fellow parents.
I'm curious to know why people would and wouldn't support events and if there's anything I could do next time to influence parents better? Should I take the guilt-trip route (preschool struggling financially)? Or does that put people off? Any advice appreciated!

Oh and this is even before I've read that it's 50 ways to tie a scarf!! Seriously?!

OP in the nicest possible way, people are telling you

Put a big poster up saying "do you know how YOUR child's preschool is funded? We rely on donations from our parents!" Then maybe an infographic/ "number crunching" pic like we need to buy 80 zillion loaves of bread to do one week's lunches for your DC or the new playground slide cost £££.

Then provide a bucket or weblink and encourage people to give

Learn how to tie a scarf??

I think the problem with ticketed evening events is most people would rather gouge their eyes out than spend time in the company of other parents, on a precious weekend evening, and be out of pocket for the "privilege".

I never understand these things. Guaranteed most people would rather just throw money at a problem than get involved in that sort of nonsense!

My dc school do a really good quiz sheet fundraiser where there's a list of riddles and you fill in your answers, send it back with two quid and there's a cash prize of something like a tenner. All the correct answer sheets go in a draw.

Low maintenance, bit of fun, the kids can get involved. Job done.

I know that this event doesn't appeal to lots of people, and is more aimed at 50+ women

How many 50+ year old people have kids in preschool? Why would this event be picked for this particular audience? This won't be helping you get people involved

Some good suggestions here about asking the parents at your school about what they would be willing to support.

I would have zero interest in learning to tie a scarf different ways (even if you paid me to do it) but if, say, there were an evening or daytime event teaching DIY skills to women or something actually useful like that, I would happily donate to attend!

I can't say that I'd want to give up my Friday night to socialise with a load of people that I barely know. I think YABU in this instance - Friday is the end of the working week (for most!) and all they want is to be at home with their families and look forward to the weekend.

I can also imagine that people are sick of being asked for money but I'd rather just be asked for it than have to give a time commitment as well.

I've never attended any fund raising events for schools, I can't stand them.
Sell some raffle tickets to those who don't want to attend and ask them for raffle donations.

And yes why host an event for 50plus women? Your target market will be in their 20s, 30s and maybe a few 40s.

Daytime family events are much better. Is your preschool term time only? We struggle with getting bored in our preschool holidays so would pay to go to a playgroup fun on behalf of the preschool especially if it meant the kids could see each other.

Has there been a public discussion about the funding needs? People may not be aware how much the preschool relies on funding, for a start.

Does everyone agree about what money should be spent on? I've seen schools and preschools spend money on worthy things and on things that I've privately thought were absolutely ridiculous. I like the idea of canvassing people for their opinions on what money should be spent on, and then giving them a choice of earmarking their funds towards this and that.

It's a good idea to give people the choice of donating money directly as well. Some people prefer to just click something or hand over cash.

Evening events can be dodgy for people whose partners work late--they won't have any childcare. I personally would not be interested in scarf tying.

There is a problem with saying "put up fees" - basically you can't!

e.g. say your preschool is open 32.5 hours a week.

It cost £6 an hour in staff/rent/other stuff to care for a child - that's a total of £195 a week

You get £4 an hour from the government for the 30 years entitlement. That's £120.

This is a shortfall of £75 - which means you would need to charge the extra 2.5 hours at £30 an hour - which is not feasible!

*Sick of being ask for money for school things etc - remember its not just the playgroup but people are forking out for siblings too

• Socialising with other parents. i cannot think of anything worse.

• childcare

*Last but probably the huge thing here.... your event is very niche. Would i ever attend an event like that? No chance

Its not the best event to choose. First it excludes half the parents (dads), then it's more than a bit boring, and then it involves socialising with other parents when the only thing you have in common is the fact you use the same childcare, and it's on a Friday evening.

Anyway, you'd be better fundraising with stuff that doesn't involve time or effort on the side of the parents or that actually involves their children. Stuff you can sell to them, child friendly events (fun days with hook a duck, cheapy prizes, lucky dips, etc), raffles.

Just read what the event is.. even if I did wear scarves I can't think of anything worse and given that preschoolers mothers are probably in a similar demographic to me (or the majority are) it's completely aimed at the wrong women.

They could just look on YouTube for that information, not pay £9.

I think that you should be able to expect all parents to take a part in fundraising but not necessarily to attend all events. If the parents could donate bottles of fizz / nibbles that would help?

I think you need to first of all explain to parents why the money is needed. It doesn't really go on frivolous stuff but on paying the staff, paying for (statutory) first aid courses, safeguarding courses etc.

Then I think you need to make it easy for parents to contribute. I always like things like the PTA sponsored events as I can bung £20 and then not feel like I have to do anything else. I do attend the local preschool bingo when I can (even though both my kids are now in school), but that's partially because I get on with several of the other parents. A variety of events and ways to contribute are good - also look at things like "easy fundraising".

I think that you should be able to expect all parents to take a part in fundraising but not necessarily to attend all events. If the parents could donate bottles of fizz / nibbles that would help?

I think you need to first of all explain to parents why the money is needed. It doesn't really go on frivolous stuff but on paying the staff, paying for (statutory) first aid courses, safeguarding courses etc.

Then I think you need to make it easy for parents to contribute. I always like things like the PTA sponsored events as I can bung £20 and then not feel like I have to do anything else. I do attend the local preschool bingo when I can (even though both my kids are now in school), but that's partially because I get on with several of the other parents. A variety of events and ways to contribute are good - also look at things like "easy fundraising".

I think that you should be able to expect all parents to take a part in fundraising but not necessarily to attend all events. If the parents could donate bottles of fizz / nibbles that would help?

I think you need to first of all explain to parents why the money is needed. It doesn't really go on frivolous stuff but on paying the staff, paying for (statutory) first aid courses, safeguarding courses etc.

Then I think you need to make it easy for parents to contribute. I always like things like the PTA sponsored events as I can bung £20 and then not feel like I have to do anything else. I do attend the local preschool bingo when I can (even though both my kids are now in school), but that's partially because I get on with several of the other parents. A variety of events and ways to contribute are good - also look at things like "easy fundraising".

I think that you should be able to expect all parents to take a part in fundraising but not necessarily to attend all events. If the parents could donate bottles of fizz / nibbles that would help?

I think you need to first of all explain to parents why the money is needed. It doesn't really go on frivolous stuff but on paying the staff, paying for (statutory) first aid courses, safeguarding courses etc.

Then I think you need to make it easy for parents to contribute. I always like things like the PTA sponsored events as I can bung £20 and then not feel like I have to do anything else. I do attend the local preschool bingo when I can (even though both my kids are now in school), but that's partially because I get on with several of the other parents. A variety of events and ways to contribute are good - also look at things like "easy fundraising".

“I appreciate all comments but would prefer if people aren't mean about the event itself - I'm just trying to raise some money in the most effective way possible”

The thing is, the event is part of the problem...

Friday nights are a hard sell at the best of times, people socialise with friends if they have childcare in a Friday night... and then you make it something niche like that and you’re on a hiding to nothing tbh.

The best fundraisers for children’s things are ones that involve children doing something.

Or psychics I raised loads with a psychic evening once...

That's funny, I actually bought a book on how to do different scarf ties. I would have gone to your event!

In general thought I am already fed up of the amount of extra dosh we are expected to hand over for trips/ uniform/ fundraising events/ teacher's presents - and DS is only in reception. As PP said, there are lots of affluent parents in the school and I think they and the school are never really realising that we don't all have limitless extra funds for this stuff.

I also hate the fundraising social events - I don't really have anything in common with the other parents and find these events pretty torturous to get through. I woudl make an exception for your scarf do though!

It's not just about the money. WRT my DC's school, I have taken a step back form it. The school is great and my DC love it, but I can't stand the mums. They are pretty awful. The very idea of spending a Friday night out with them makes shivers run down my spine. Also, Friday night is family time. I have even reduced the after school clubs my DC do because I want them to have more friends and interests outside of school.

I am happy to donate, make a cake or whatever. I don't want to hang out at the school any more than I absolutely have to.

It sounds like the shittest event ever that’s probably why. And on a Friday night.
Fete’s, bake sales etc I’d donate/attend but no way in a million years would I give up a summer evening on a Friday to pay someone to talk about scarves.

I agree it's quite niche. I think you need to do something that appeals to a wider audience.

Maybe something like a nearly new sale at the weekend, quiz night, pamper evening.

Our school often does stuff on a Thursday. It's nearly the weekend and people don't mind so much being tired on a Friday.

Perhaps you could create a Facebook page and do a poll. It's a good way of gathering ideas.

I think all fundraisers have to pester people a bit.It does annoy people but it also works in a lot of cases. I dunno, remain sensitive to a point but you probably need to grow a thicker skin, too.

OP, I work in a venue which runs tonnes of workshops and we have to sell them too.

What sells is things where people get something to take away.

So rather than workshops, you'd be far more successful if you made something with the children which can then be bought.

Coffee morning would be a good start. Straight after they've dropped kids off too.
Ffs what is it with people, maybe they are dropping their kids then going off to WORK? Just a thought...