Christmas Tree fundraiser?

[Anonymous]

I've seen these WOTP and I'd like to do one for my EOTP elementary. Where do I start? TIA!

[Anonymous]

You realize several EOTP schools already do them?

[Anonymous]

I think you start by having enough money to purchase the trees.

[Anonymous]

Find a tree farm that partners with nonprofits.

Here's one in N. Carolina with information about how to organize this. It's probably a little late for Christmas 2018.

https://www.coolspringsnursery.com/fundraising-advice/

[Anonymous]

It's a good community-builder but not a great fund-raiser. If your PTA needs the cash I'd look elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Maybe start with wreaths not trees?

Here's another partner http://www.bestwreathfundraiser.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You realize several EOTP schools already do them?

Great - maybe I can learn from them too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a good community-builder but not a great fund-raiser. If your PTA needs the cash I'd look elsewhere.

Interesting. This is the type of information I'm struggling to find online. Margins. So, in your experience you don't get out what you put in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find a tree farm that partners with nonprofits.

Here's one in N. Carolina with information about how to organize this. It's probably a little late for Christmas 2018.

https://www.coolspringsnursery.com/fundraising-advice/

Yup, reached out to these folks already. Hoping to learn more from folks who have already done it, whether it's for 2018 or 2019. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a good community-builder but not a great fund-raiser. If your PTA needs the cash I'd look elsewhere.

Interesting. This is the type of information I'm struggling to find online. Margins. So, in your experience you don't get out what you put in?

Honestly, most fundraisers that an EOTP school can do are a giant pain in the ass for not much money. The high-return fundraisers are premised on a wealthy student body that's willing to pay for stuff, where parents just give you money as "dues" without needing anything in return.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a good community-builder but not a great fund-raiser. If your PTA needs the cash I'd look elsewhere.

Interesting. This is the type of information I'm struggling to find online. Margins. So, in your experience you don't get out what you put in?

Honestly, most fundraisers that an EOTP school can do are a giant pain in the ass for not much money. The high-return fundraisers are premised on a wealthy student body that's willing to pay for stuff, where parents just give you money as "dues" without needing anything in return.

What I like about this fundraiser is the community aspect of it. Our EOTP school hasn't tapped into its surrounding community as well as we could, and I'd like to try and do more of that this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a good community-builder but not a great fund-raiser. If your PTA needs the cash I'd look elsewhere.

Interesting. This is the type of information I'm struggling to find online. Margins. So, in your experience you don't get out what you put in?

Honestly, most fundraisers that an EOTP school can do are a giant pain in the ass for not much money. The high-return fundraisers are premised on a wealthy student body that's willing to pay for stuff, where parents just give you money as "dues" without needing anything in return.

What I like about this fundraiser is the community aspect of it. Our EOTP school hasn't tapped into its surrounding community as well as we could, and I'd like to try and do more of that this year.

(But I'd also like to know effort/margins before I jump in).

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm not saying the trees is a bad idea, but here are some other ideas:

Amazon Smile-- everyone in the community can do that for you.

Harris Teeter if you live near one-- same.

Auction-- lots of EOTP schools do them and it's a great way to monetize all kinds of things-- unused gift cards that people may have, used bikes/scooters/strollers, tickets to stuff, law firm schwag, AirBnBs, etc.

A tradition that when things are sold on the neighborhood email list, proceeds go to your PTO. You may find that parents of babies are eager to support you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'm not saying the trees is a bad idea, but here are some other ideas:

Amazon Smile-- everyone in the community can do that for you.

Harris Teeter if you live near one-- same.

Auction-- lots of EOTP schools do them and it's a great way to monetize all kinds of things-- unused gift cards that people may have, used bikes/scooters/strollers, tickets to stuff, law firm schwag, AirBnBs, etc.

A tradition that when things are sold on the neighborhood email list, proceeds go to your PTO. You may find that parents of babies are eager to support you.

Yup. Thanks. Got all those on our list and we're doing 3 of 4 of them.

[Anonymous]

I think the margins on these aren't that high, but if you're already doing a WinterFest or something, you can combine it with a cookie sale and make it a fun time, it can be good. Often times parents of babies and toddlers are eager to have an opportunity to meet the principal, see the building, and generally offer casual support.

Think carefully about how much money you can afford to lose if it goes badly. I would suggest you try just wreaths for a starter-- easier for your lower-income folks to afford, and much less of a pain in the ass to transport and dispose of.