Fundraising Tips

1. Establish goals! Know how much money you need to raise and when you will need it. Make sure the fundraiser you are considering will offers a realistic path to success.
2. Tell your story. It's important that everyone knows what the benefits of your efforts will be.
3. Evaluate your fundraising options.
   • What percentage of the money raised goes directly to your school?
   • Is the product or service commonly available elsewhere?
   • Does the program provide incentives?
   • How long has the company been in business?
   • Are sales and promotional materials provided free?
   • Is any type of personal training or orientation provided?
   • Does the company stress child safety and supervision?
   • Does the product meet current school dietary guidelines?
   • Is the cost of the product or service affordable to most people in you community?
4. Promote your campaign. Have a kick-off event to make sure everyone is motivated and involved.
5. Keep everyone informed and involved. Daily progress reports at school and frequent updates to parents and staff keep everyone focused on reaching your goals.
6. Follow through. Provide and distribute earned incentives as quickly as possible. Let everyone know their efforts made a difference!

…And to help your school or group sell more School Coupons^® Savings Books and My School Coupons^® Save 10 Cards:

• Send a sample home with each student. Sales can as much as double!
• Before you begin selling, examine the book or card closely and see who is participating. Write down your personal favorites and carry that list when you are selling.
• Have a competition within your school, classroom, or club to see who can sell the most. Make every day a new competition.
• Be sure each member of your school staff buys a book or card.
• Get Mom, Dad, sisters, and brothers involved in the sale.
• Sell books to friends, relatives, neighbors, teachers, etc. You know more people than you think!
• Hand the book or card to patrons and suggest that they look at all of the merchants they already do business with.
• Encourage patrons to buy extra for Christmas or birthday gifts. They also make great gifts for the mailman or newspaper carrier.
• Encourage patrons to purchase more than one — buy one to put in each vehicle; buy books for additional coupons from places frequently shopped.

Remember, always thank patrons and remind them that they are making a generous donation to your school just by purchasing a book or card that will save them hundreds of dollars throughout the year! More of the money raised with School Coupons^® stays with your school than any other fundraiser. Ask them to please buy from you next year, too.