Spotlight on Secondary School Fundraising
Most parents find themselves getting involved in raising money when their children are in primary school. However, secondary schools frequently complain that it is harder to involve parents: more are working full-time and pupils are reluctant to see their parents invading their school space! This column looks at how secondary schools manage to raise money from outside their school budget. It offers readers some valuable fundraising tips and gives advice on approaching companies on behalf of your school.
How much money do secondary schools raise?
Research by the Baring Foundation suggests maintained English secondary schools raise 143 million a year (or an average of 4,000 a school, or 47 per pupil) from sources outside their main school budget. In addition we also know that:
49% of secondary schools are raising more than 10,000 a year;
Secondary schools raise money from a much wider spread of funds than primary schools.
Where do secondary schools raise money from?
Companies are the main non-LEA source of support for secondary schools. And, some of the highest fundraising secondary schools are community schools with high levels of parental support. These high fundraising schools tend to use diverse fundraising methods such as:
Fundraising from the general public, parents, events etc
Company donations
Commercial Sponsorship
Parental Convenant schemes
Applications for grants/lottery funds
Income generation (trading goods or services, etc)
What do secondary schools raise money for?
Computers, music and sports equipment top the secondary school list, followed by school grounds, Specialist status, transport and voluntary support of school trips.
A case study
School Business Manager, The Ridgeway Community School
Completed the Cert in School Fundraising, September 2007
Previous experience of raising funds
Beryl describes herself as very much a beginner before the course. She had fundraised before in a piecemeal way.
Success since completion of course Grants totaling over 77,000 in the last 6 months including:
- 18,000 Children in Need grant over 3 years to provide salaries for WISH project staff
- 15,000 Foyle Foundation grant for equipment for a new communications room
- 17,000 Variety Club of Great Britain towards a new minibus
- 6,000 grant from a local Surrey charity for a people carrier
Future Plans
Now researching grants for a new sensory garden.
'The course is brilliant. I now know where to look for grants and how to take a more strategic approach. Our success over the last 6 months has been as a result of this course.' B. Jenkins
Conclusion
A small investment in training can bring huge rewards to your school. The advantages of studying online can be very attractive to schools whose staff and budgets are under pressure: there are no supply costs, no travel costs or travel time, you have immediate access to materials and complete flexibility around choosing when to study. And the course leads to a ready made bid, funding strategy and trust appeal.
Fundraising made easy
http://www.fundraisingskills.co.uk
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