FUNdraising

Frank Sennett earned his fiction MFA from the University of Montana, and now teaches in the UCLA Extension Writers' Program. He served as editor of the K-12 journal Curriculum Review for a decade. His other Corwin Press books are 101 Stunts for Principals to Inspire Student Achievement and 400 Quotable Quotes from the World's Leading Educators.

Author?s Note Preface Acknowledgments About the Author Introduction: Put the Fun Back in School FUNdraising A Tale of Two Pledge Drives A FUNdraising Manifesto Part I. Stage Setters: Cornerstones of Successful Fundraising Campaigns 1. Exploring Ethics: Consider These Issues Before Launching a FUNdraiser 2. Don?t Try This at School: Avoid These Fundraising Mishaps 3. Clicking for Cash: Crawl the Web for Delighted Donors 4. The Publicity Payoff: How to Generate Positive Press for Your FUNdraiser Part II. 50 FUNdraising Ideas: Rake in the Bucks With These Creative Concepts 5. Excellent Extravaganzas No. 1. "Educational Film Festival." Screen a series of unintentionally hilarious educational movies from bygone eras No. 2. ?Inspiring Expositions.? Put on an inspiration expo replete with local experts on fascinating subjects No. 3. ?Auctioning Experiences.? Build buzz for silent and live auctions by letting folks bid on amazing outings No. 4. ?Double the Auction Fun.? When a bidder wins the hottest auction item, wow the crowd by putting an extra one up for sale No. 5. ?Housing Markets.? Host home tours with a twist No. 6. ?Pampering Moms.? Give the women of the school community a well-deserved break for fun and games No. 7. ?Digging for Diamonds.? A sandbox full of jewelry makes for glitzy, gritty fun No. 8. ?Tea Partying.? Leaf through these rich and tasty themes No. 9. ?Dance Fever.? Relive high school memories with an adult prom No. 10. ?The Pour House.? Raise a glass for students at a wine tasting No. 11. ?Daring to Sing.? Tune into a karaoke challenge No. 12. ?Treasure Hunting.? Send donors off on a wild scavenger hunt 6. Starring Students No. 13. ?Spellbinding Solicitations.? Host a student spell-a-thon or ?celebrity? spelling bee No. 14. ?Paging Profits.? Uncover nifty ways to jazz up your book fair No. 15. ?Model Behavior.? Put on a stylish school fashion show No. 16. ?Record-Setting Haul.? Enlist students to set a world record No. 17. ?Freeform Fundraising.? Maximize student participation with a ?do-your-own-thing-a-thon? 7. Sporting Chances No. 18. ?Tee Time.? Drive up receipts with a variation on the classic golf tournament No. 19. ?Drop the Balls.? When numbered golf balls fall ffom the sky, schools win No. 20. ?Hoop Dreaming.? Score with a three-on-three basketball tournament No. 21. ?Mascot Madness.? Have a field day with the district?s costumed characters 8. Artistic Attractions No. 22. ?Appraising Treasures.? Throw an ?antiques roadshow?-style event at which people can pay to have cherished heirlooms appraised No. 23. ?Picture This.? Target discerning donors with a student art show and sale No. 24. ?Chair-Itable Artworks.? Auction furniture painted by students and other local artists No. 25. ?Feeling Scrappy.? Make memories?and money?with a school scrapbooking night No. 26. ?Playing Around.? Delight young and old by auctioning off fancy playhouses No. 27. ?Throwing a Disc.? Record and sell instant CDs of musical performances No. 28. ?Band on the Run.? Set up musical performances where people will least expect them 9. Animal Antics No. 29. ?Flamingo Flocking.? Plant plastic pink flamingoes in the yards of unsuspecting victims?for a price No. 30. ?Living the Wild Life.? Enchant the community by displaying whimsical animal sculptures all over town No. 31. ?Circus Maximus.? Invite the big top to town to perform for your school No. 32. ?Pet Smart.? Host a dog- and cat-friendly celebration No. 33. ?Hitting the Spot.? Play cow, horse, or chicken bingo to enjoy the smell of money 10. Service Smiles No. 34. ?Recycling Revenues.? Bag profits by providing specialty recycling services to the community No. 35. ?Cleaning Up.? Pitch in around town on yard work and chores for a fee No. 36. ?Baby Booming.? Brand your school as the go-to spot for childcare during citywide events No. 37. ?Classic Car Carwash.? Buff up the standard car wash by catering to sweet rides No. 38. ?Send in the Dads.? Enlist fathers and other men in the school community to team up for a memorable event No. 39. ?Celebrity Service.? Enlist prominent locals and district employees to serve meals at a restaurant?s school night No. 40. ?Giving Directions.? Hire out teens and adults to flag shoppers into stores 11. Seasonal Successes No. 41. ?Scare Up a Maze.? Find money by losing visitors in a haunted halloween maze No. 42. ?Seasonal Singing.? Get into the holiday spirit by booking groups of carolers all over town No. 43. ?Gingerbread Housing.? Tempt holiday revelers with a parade of deliciously decorated homes No. 44. ?Polar Plunge.? Heat up donations by dunking local notables in cold water 12. Cash Collecting No. 45. ?A Home Run.? Raffle off a dream house to make your fundraising dreams come true No. 46. ?Naming Games.? Sell naming rights to small school projects and reap big windfalls No. 47. ?Give ?Em the Boot.? Enlist crossing guards and other members of the school community to ask passing motorists to drop donations into an outstretched boot No. 48. ?Fee Parking.? Allow teens to personalize school parking spaces for an annual surcharge No. 49. ?Your Money or Your Time.? Offer community members multiple ways to give No. 50. ?Stunts Doubling.? Cap off a successful fundraising effort by performing a silly stunt References

"A wonderful resource. The author covers all aspects of effective fundraising and provides practical advice and precautions that should be taken to make fundraising successful. This book will make fundraising not only beneficial for schools but it will add a level of enjoyment in the planning, implementation, and positive results of the final product." -- Gerard A. Dery, Director "This book makes a distinct contribution to fundraising the easy way! I would definitely recommend that every school facing financial difficulties or just wanting to add to their school resources purchase this book." -- Joen Painter, Education Consultant "Even for school administrators who have been involved in many fundraisers over the years, there is always need for fresh ideas and new approaches. Having a resource such as this book for a PTO to review could lead to new synergy around a reinvigorated fundraiser." -- Bonnie Tryon, Principal "This book has many creative fundraising ideas." -- Mary Ann Burke, Grants Coordinator "An excellent, basic handbook offering new approaches to traditional fundraising efforts. Here's a list of action-packed options that schools and educators will appreciate." -- The Bookwatch, March 2008