MINI GUIDE FUNDRAISING

track on running a successful Christmas UK members share their wisdom so your air is the ultimate Christmas cracker!

M

ost PTAs charge between £10 and £20 for an external stall holder to attend their Christmas

Fair; so this can be a good source of secured funds. Where a lower amount is charged, PTAs often ask for the stall holder to donate a raffle prize. This provides the stall holder with additional promotion. All the funds taken by external stall holders tend to remain theirs (unless you can negotiate a commission for the PTA). Some PTAs exclude external stall holders or strictly limit the number because

they would prefer supporters to spend directly with the PTA so that all profit is retained.

Stipulate no duplicates especially

where space is at a premium as it doesn’t add to your fair. Also consider excluding external food providers; this is a good source of funds for your PTA and you may not want to give it up. If you do decide to allow these, think about charging a premium for stalls that are likely to be more successful. Some parents, with their own businesses may like a stall. You may want to prioritise these in

Get the most from your external stall holders

your allocation as they are likely to support you more. And remember, public liability insurance needs to be in place. Please see our Christmas Fairs FAQs on page 30 for more information.

...AND REMEMBER, A PTA ISN’T JUST FOR CHRISTMAS!

Whilst your preparations for Christmas activities seem all-consuming, give some thought to what happens in the New Year, even if it’s only to agree your priorities and put some dates in the diary. Everyone needs something to look forward to after the excitement of Christmas and the long dark months of January and

February are looming. PTA-UK’s fantastic members have suggested a range of wonderful winter activities to lighten the dark nights.

• A PTA New Year’s Party – this is such a difficult

night of the year when you’ve got children. You want to go out but can’t get a babysitter, so it could be a great night for your PTA to throw a family party. The school might not be open but you could get another venue. Start early, wear the kids out and let parents see in the New Year in peace.

• If you are left with too many toys after Christmas,

what about a toy exchange event? Simple and popular, this could be part of the Climate Week Swap (see page 16). Charge a small amount for each swap as a simple way to boost PTA funds.

• A ‘unwanted gifts’ tombola – recycling those gifts

that didn’t quite hit the mark to make some easy money for your PTA.

• PTA events can prove a good value night out in the

early months of the year. A Race Night, Valentine’s, 70’s or 80’s disco, quiz night with a fish super, film

night, murder mystery evening and a Ceilidh are just a few recommendations from other PTAs.

• Make an event of Shrove Tuesday with a

sponsored pancake flip. This is a great type of event on which to claim Gift Aid and boost your fundraising by 25%.

• Take advantage of spring cleaning with a range of

recycling fundraisers. You can raise funds without your members having to give you any money by recycling clothes, jewellery, CDs, videos, phones printer cartridges etc.

• The kids need something to look forward to as

well. Members have recommended a kids’ karaoke, Copper Coin Trail, school disco and Valentine’s bingo.

• Don’t forget Chinese New Year on Sunday 10th

February; a great opportunity to party and celebrate a different culture.

PTA-UK Magazine November 2012 29