Most day cares are non-profit organizations that must operate within a tight budget that covers the costs of facilities, staff and all of the equipment and materials for operating a quality and stimulating environment for children. It's a balancing act with little room for extras for the center or it's staff.
One way to offset the cost of extra curriculum, supplies or staff bonus programs is through fundraising. Our moms have successfully raised funds for our daycare centers, enabling them bring in additional music, art and science events, animal encounters, host special celebration days - like Hawaiian Luaus, purchase sun shades for the playground and fund the staff bonus pool.
Listed below are fundraising programs that have been successfully implemented that you can take, adapt and use at your center:
Garage Sales. Gather your family's extras and have a group garage sale to benefit your daycare center. Post signs at school to have other families bring their donations in a few weeks before the sale so you can have time to price and organize the items.
Auction. Have an informal auction of donated goods and services in your daycare's lobby with write-in bids. You can also help organize an auction event, complete with tickets that must be purchased to attend. The event usually has catering, a bar, entertainment and live auction and those costs must be factored into the budget.
Donations. Ask the merchants your frequent regularly if they have goods or services they can donate to the center. Describe the center, what you are raising funds for and explain the donation is tax deductible. Many requests will be positively received. We have found that we've received the best response when collecting donations in the spring, summer and early fall so we're not competing with other donation requests around the holidays. These donations are then incorporated into the school auctions.
Open Ebay Store. Large scale auction events are really only practical one or two times a year for daycare centers because of the costs involved. Consider having a committee that solicits donations year long and sells them in an open market, such as Ebay. It expands your fundraising circle from the immediate circle to a global reach.
Matching Gifts. Remind parents that many corporations have matching gifts programs for donations to non-profit organizations and daycare centers usually qualify. Under this benefit, the corporation may match your cash donation by 50 to 100%.
Artwork By Children. Work with the classroom teachers to create artwork that can be displayed a gallery and sold to parents. Creative projects made by the children or that feature a child's picture make wonderful gifts for family and friends and sell well when priced appropriately.
Recognition. Parents can memorize their children by purchasing an engraved plaque for a wall, a stamped brick for a walkway or a large piece of equipment for the playground. Think about how large non-profit organizations recognize their large donors and adapt it to your environment. Have an area in your newsletter that regularly recognizes contributions from the parents of the center, whether they be monetary, time or goods and services.
About the Author
For more great information about expecting and parenting, visit momrecommended.com, a site for moms by moms. Annie Valle is a freelance writer, web designer and a mom. You'll find product reviews, recipes, baby names, free projects and more, when you visit momrecommended.com.
Research literature, recent books, and common sense, all point to... Read More
I was reading "A Modern Infant Armada", a humor column... Read More
Learning responsibility is an ever widening and lifelong process.As thinking,... Read More
When it comes to exams, or indeed any academic work,... Read More
When a child is born, a new number is added... Read More
Although nothing anybody says can ever completely prepare a woman... Read More
Optimists do better academically, socially and enjoy better health than... Read More
Why do some children still do best after divorce and... Read More
Every children in the world whishes to have toys and... Read More
Back in college, I wrote for a five-day-a-week, award-winning campus... Read More
Love, love, love. It makes the world go round. It... Read More
Last week in my newsletter, I mentioned that... Read More
The Flow of WaterWater is essential for life on the... Read More
We are all familiar with the stories that most students... Read More
"All that I am or ever hope to be, I... Read More
When you hear the phrase, 'guerrilla parenting techniques', what images... Read More
Time management is an organisational concept traditionally associated with adults... Read More
Do your children have a McChildhood? Do they experience the... Read More
There is a front line and a back end to... Read More
We all wish that our children should not smoke or... Read More
What parent hasn't gone into a son's or daughter's room... Read More
Dexedrine is not prescribed very often for the treatment of... Read More
The children of Baby Boomers, the Echo Generation, are entering... Read More
"Will my doubts and fears affect my child?" This father... Read More
According to researchers, most children enter school with a good... Read More
family-safe home cleaners Arlington Heights ..Raising a pre-teen or teenage daughter (or son) is not... Read More
When we consider that the word allowance means, "allowing for,"... Read More
Identity and Your Fraternal TwinFor the most part, throughout this... Read More
How would you like to have a closer relationship with... Read More
My kids just can't get enough of playing games with... Read More
Being consistent when children are less than perfect can make... Read More
Let's face it.The job market is getting tougher every day.Computerization... Read More
The First Reason: For one thing, child development experts are... Read More
Many children are jittery on the first day of school.... Read More
The girl's jaw dropped in horror as the police officer... Read More
Every parent wants their child to develop positive character traits.... Read More
Night Visits From Your ChildIn the middle of the night... Read More
Optimists do better academically, socially and enjoy better health than... Read More
Here is something that you might want to keep if... Read More
Q. My teenage son is turning 16 early next year... Read More
Sometimes dreams really can come true! May 8th - 11th,... Read More
There are millions of young children in this country who... Read More
Our children are our most important legacy to the world.... Read More
You've just received a call from your child's teacher. As... Read More
There are many useful jogger stroller accessories out on the... Read More
Ah, potty training! Go to a local bookseller and you... Read More
No matter what you say or do, your kids will... Read More
4 traps to avoidTrap 1 - Parents need to realize... Read More
Seven-year old Michael was on a school trip to a... Read More
A growing body of scientific evidence shows that the way... Read More
Parenting |