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.
Do you have a high maintenance child?"Thank goodness my second... Read More
Can you draw a straight line? Most adults don't consider... Read More
The Theme from MASHI flipped the button on the remote... Read More
Child support is defined as that part of your income... Read More
One reason public schools get away with educational failure, year... Read More
Many parents seem to be more than a little confused... Read More
We need a grass roots campaign targeted towards parents to... Read More
It was a day that I will forever be etched... Read More
Something happened the other day that made me feel uneasy.... Read More
The last decade has seen heightened interest in and awareness... Read More
You send your child to school and the teachers teach... Read More
"Becoming a parent can make you a better worker," New... Read More
If you spend any time in the parenting section of... Read More
Many years ago, my children were raised on the various... Read More
I am sure that this list can be jogged and... Read More
A while ago I received this story from David in... Read More
Wooden toys are one of the best alternatives for the... Read More
If you are like most people today, you do not... Read More
"All that I am or ever hope to be, I... Read More
Moms, did you ever question your value as a role... Read More
Ok. So you're a dad to be. If you're like... Read More
The distressed adolescent often has feelings of abandonment, emotional detachment,... Read More
My son, Dakota is now 7 yrs old. He is... Read More
When a child is born, a new number is added... Read More
We know that ancient cultures and Indians and the like... Read More
St. Charles cheap limo service ..I hear from many parents that their child is stressed... Read More
Boredom, limited space and overflowing energy are a source of... Read More
It's funny how people seem to think that they have... Read More
Whether children attend public or private schools, they benefit when... Read More
As a parent your biggest responsibility is to prepare your... Read More
A learning disability is defined as a permanent problem that... Read More
Research literature, recent books, and common sense, all point to... Read More
Prioritize. Learn to say No. Steal some time for yourself.Don't... Read More
The First Reason: For one thing, child development experts are... Read More
Few things are more completely enjoyable than becoming a grandparent.... Read More
Do your children have a McChildhood? Do they experience the... Read More
Dan Rather made a significant and tactical error and got... Read More
Everyone knows that exercise is good for your health. Exercising... Read More
It is human nature to feel competitive and envious toward... Read More
Even as a busy parent, I'm sure you've seen a... Read More
Backpack? Check. Notebooks? Check. Ink-pens? Check. Clear Skin? Mommmm!If you... Read More
Identity and Your Fraternal TwinFor the most part, throughout this... Read More
Our children are growing up bilingual in the French part... Read More
In school, kids are encouraged to create, draw, color, paint... Read More
I used to have a really challenging job. It was... Read More
It can be difficult on all family members to have... Read More
Q. My daughter is a junior in high school and... Read More
In 1996-97 we were contracted by VAXA International of Tampa,... Read More
I really like all natural remedy for Attention Deficit Disorder... Read More
"I wipe my baby's chin with my college diploma and... Read More
Parenting |