How To Fundraise For Books & Resources With First Book: "The Main Event"

This will require planning, support, and input from your school/program community. Whether you opt for a bake sale, selling concessions during a school event or something more creative, there are plenty of options to generate funds to purchase the resources you need for the kids you serve. Below are 10 ideas for fundraisers that you could host at your school/program, followed by a checklist to help you plan a great event!

1. Bake Sale

2. Concessions Stand at an upcoming school event (school play, basketball game, etc.)

3. Penny Wars – each class collects pennies during a specified period of time (e.g. 1 week). The class that wins gets bragging rights and a fun treat.

4. Lemonade Stand during dismissal

5. Car Wash

6. Raffle – Ask local businesses or organizations to donate an item, and sell raffle tickets for $0.50 – $1.00.

7. Community Garage Sale – Many families may live in apartments, or simply don’t have yard space for a sale. Obtain as many tables as possible, and charge a fee per table – say $10. Each person can sell their “garage sale” items on the tables for your event.

8. Partner with a local restaurant and host a “Restaurant Night,” where a certain percentage of each order is donated to your school/program.

9. Sell carnations or another low-cost flower during special holidays – Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day

10. Host a “Parent’s Night Out” by offering an evening movie, pizza and water for kids for 2 hours while while parents enjoy a date night.

Staying organized is another key element of a successful fundraising event. The First Book Funding Toolkit features an extensive event checklist to help you keep everything in order and running smoothly. In addition to these main points, the toolkit will give you a step-by-step guide to your event.

• Set your fundraising goal
• Confirm support from your school/program leader to host the fundraising activity/activities
• Develop a Plan of Action to raise the funds
• Determine the Staffing Plan
• Create a Marketing Plan
• Obtain event materials
• Event wrap-up
• Distribute books to kids!

After that, tell the whole world about what you did to help bring books to children in need in your community. The First Book Funding Toolkit features a press release template that you can send to your local TV station, newspaper, or favorite magazine, but you’ll have to download the toolkit to check it out.

The fundraising tips above were excerpted from the First Book Funding Toolkit. Keep your eyes on our blog for more tips, or click here to view the entire First Book Funding Toolkit!