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!

Sorry op but that seems like the most random event choice. No wonder people aren't interested!

Our school have just asked fro £10 a month standing order and are scrapping all the other please can we have this that and the other and random money at different times usually with no notice. Perfect.

Sorry op but that seems like the most random event choice. No wonder people aren't interested!

Our school have just asked fro £10 a month standing order and are scrapping all the other please can we have this that and the other and random money at different times usually with no notice. Perfect.

Op don't do the guilt trip route either!

No way!!

They don't want to come, all the guilt tripping is just going to make them run for the hills/cars/hedges next time they see you.

Do kid/family orientated events and you will have a full house (mostly) and raise all kinds of funds without pissing people off. But expect parents to give up their cherished Friday evening to sip warm wine with a fixed smile with people they hardly know/don't like/indifferent towards is a very tall order. Even the mothers that actually like each other will be hard pressed to give up a weekend night to do this...

Why does anyone want to do this?

If it's catering to women over 50 how many women over 50 have a child at preschool? I think you've got completely the wrong product for your target audience.

You could do a disco, or summer Fayre. Make it child/family friendly and get the kids making posters/leaflets in the day to promote it. Do it on an afternoon or a weekend. Maybe combine it with allowing the parents to meet key workers etc. Some parents won't do pick up/drop off so will probably have never met the staff.

Personally I wouldn't got to an event like that; 1. It's not my cup of tea, 2; the appeal of a free drink isn't worth £9, 3; I don't drink. 4; what the hell would I do with my child whilst there?

ah some people do - there's a school near us that raises thousands from a quiz night.

The truth is you have different sorts of people - some people do like socializing with other parents. All the private schools make a lot from drinks and fancy dinner type things and some of the parents at ours do socialize with other parents.

But some people prefer kids events, some prefer no events, some people prefer buying things their kids have made etc.

You've got to remember that your preferences are your preferences, and fundraisers are going to try and appeal to all types. The goal is what's got to be clear and engaging, and then engage in all the ways you can.

Some folk will ignore direct requests for money but will go to fayres etc.

It's why it's a time consuming bugger, raising money for nurseries, schools etc .

Honestly, if people have older kids then summer term is jam-packed after the bank holiday.

This half term we have had a sponsored skipathon, two classes doing a cake sale every Friday, the year 6s doing sweets and ice lollies for their leavers’ party, hamper donations for summer fete, prep night for summer fete, two mufti days with specific item donations for each, class parents’ drinks, and then summer fete itself which we are now getting the desperate/guilt emails about (I’m already signed up for two sessions as is DH).

I’m tapped out. We didn’t make it to the nursery summer party or charity fundraiser this year simply because I want to have occasional downtime.

Next year I’m tempted to just write a cheque for a couple of hundred quid and disengage, but I know I’d ultimately get guilted into the other stuff anyway.

Events involving the children work better and not men or women only events.

As others have said, movie screenings, picnic party or discos go down well with kids and if it entertains the children for a bit that keeps parents happy to attend.

If you want an adult only event, go for something that will appeal to both genders. Quizzes, games nights etc work well - our local hospital does an annual horse racing night (people buy a horse or put a bet on, you show the race whilst people cheer it on, if they win they get a prize). People like the chance to win something and spend more money that way whilst having a fun time.

Our Pre school holds activity sessions during pre school hours and charges extra for them, a bit like Forest schools. You pay for your child to attend. Something like gymnastics for example.

Our best fund raisers are school fairs and school discos . Obviously not pre school but I don’t have childcare so I would not attend any event that requires child care.

How much profit is the evening expecting to make?

I’d go simply because I can’t believe there is more than at most 2 ways to tie a scarf.

I'd personally really hate to give up a rare evening of free time at an event like that, I'd much rather have a day where I can spend it with my family doing something.

My mum runs fundraisers for a local charity, and whilst it's a different type as it's for rescue dogs, the same sort of concept can be applied to a fundraiser for a pre-school.

Look for a suitable field, if it part of a school use that one, then hold parent and child obstacle races that charges an entry fee, with rosettes and a grand prize for the winning team.
You can ask for donations from local shops in exchange for publicity, they can even pay extra to 'sponsor' the games.

We charged for entry £3 an adult and £2 for children, however for a school fundraiser I'd probably have it a little bit lower until it's established.

She found an up-and-coming band to do a free performance for publicity by appealing on Facebook, all she was asked to do was provide a stage and make a few announcements about them every now and again. She asked someone who helped the charity, to use connections they had to get scaffolding to make a stage.

You can put out a call for companies to pay to have a stall at the event, at the last couple of events I've helped at some even donate a portion of the profits to the charity, and you'll get quite a few takers usually.
We've had fun fair owners wanting to set up bouncy castles and other rides which appeal to children.

You can find people who want to be food vendors, we've had pizza places, curry sellers, vegan places and all sorts, so something for everyone.

It is time consuming, but she managed to organise it alone, and had about 10 on the day helpers, whilst she had a full time job and other commitments so between a few people it's is more than doable.

The main thing is finding a venue, then it's sourcing skills that are there within the pre-school parents, such as someone who may have links to a printers for posters so you can advertise around town.
There may be some initial costs but you can keep them down as much as possible by buying second-hand.

For me to support an event I would want to know exactly how much of the entry fee would go to the school. If I found that a large part of the money went on refreshments and to the demonstrator, I would not be happy to pay such a large sum.

So my advice would be to ensure transparency.

As others have said if you want mums to support you, do an event that appeals to them. It would take a lot to get me out of the house after a busy working week.

OP YANBU to expect parents to support events. However it maybe wasn't the best idea to plan en event that you knew was aimed at over 50's given that few, if any, parents would be in that age range. I would not attend this, sorry. I might buy a ticket out of politeness though!

You have obviously worked hard at this so it is very disappointing for you. However it would be a good idea to try to stick with events that people are likely to attend. What about a sponsored disco or walk during playgroup, would only require a few parent helpers and doesn't put anyone out? Also should be popular with the children?

This sounds utterly dreadful, I’m not even slightly surprised you’ve sold so few tickets, your event is patronising and dull.
I’d happily donate to a specific fundraising appeal. If I got an invite to this nonsense it’d go straight in the recycling.

Our nursery has a £3 per child weekly voluntary donation which most people pay. Little more than the price of a coffee rather than a noticeable lump sum and no effort involved. It is billed as paying for the extras and so there are no further requests.

I have no evening childcare and don't drink so would be unlikely to attend suggested fundraiser. 50% of our pick up and drop off parents / carers are male.

As events management gigs go, don't give up your day job. Although it's highly unlikely anyone who organises a scarf thing workshop for women on a Friday night has a stunning career, let's face it.

oh come on, there's no need for nastiness, the Op is trying to raise money for a nursery. My mum would love a workshop on scarves and prosecco, some people would.

You still seem to be convinced that running an event is the best way to make money.

Test that.

Get the school to tell you how much funding they need. Is that a reasonable amount to get out of 25 families? Tell people what the shortfall is and why it exists. Then ask the parents, would you rather:

• Donate £10 a month to the general school funds
• Attend fundraising events 3 times a year
• Donate what you can to buy a specific resource or repair, whenever the school identifies a need.

Our local school is v smart with that last one. They ask for money to repair a gate or buy scooters for the playground. Justgiving works well. Then they publicise their thanks to those who donated to the item. They put a little plaque or certificate somewhere obvious too saying ItemX was donated due to kind donations to the PTA.

If timing was right, I'd happily go to a children's second hand clothes/toys sale. Always useful. DOn't want to eat cake. Don't want to make cake to sell and then buy either.

If timing was right, I'd happily go to a children's second hand clothes/toys sale. Always useful.

This sounds utterly dreadful, I’m not even slightly surprised you’ve sold so few tickets, your event is patronising and dull. I’d happily donate to a specific fundraising appeal. If I got an invite to this nonsense it’d go straight in the recycling.

sexnotgender - was it necessary to be so blunt and unkind? OP is doing her best to raise funds for a playgroup. She's coming from a good place, and I'm sure she's now painfully aware that her choice of event wasn't the best

This sounds utterly dreadful, I’m not even slightly surprised you’ve sold so few tickets, your event is patronising and dull.
I’d happily donate to a specific fundraising appeal. If I got an invite to this nonsense it’d go straight in the recycling

sexnotgender - I'm sure OP is now painfully aware that her choice of event wasn't good, but sh'es coming from a good place, and is open to advice. Did you really have to be so blunt and cruel?

DD’s pre school had a similar financial issue recently and at a PTA meeting, we all agreed unanimously that we’d contribute a consumable fee per day a child is there which works well for everyone. They’re having a summer fete in July which I’ll be attending and people can have tables for £4 if they so want one.

I’d happily attend a bake sale and make cakes for one. I wouldn’t attend a women’s only evening purely because my social anxiety is crippling and where fine with DD ( and DH sometimes) and daytime events such as a fete, being alone with a group of people I didn’t know would just send shivers down my spine.