Looking at the school calendar, you may see the holidays as a void for PTA fundraising, but is this a missed opportunity? Parents are keen to find ways to keep children entertained during school breaks, so providing virtual activities could be a real money-spinner! Do not fear! We’re not suggesting that PTA members spend the holidays running online activities. Most can be planned and prepared in advance, with information or a login provided to every pupil that pays to participate. For inspiration, we’ve listed six out-of-school fundraising ideas. 6 School Holiday PTA Fundraising Ideas Local De ..read more

What do the pupils in your school want and can they be empowered to fundraise for it? Not every school fundraising event has to be organised and run by the PTA. With a little support and encouragement, pupils can be very resourceful. When they will be direct beneficiaries, motivation levels are usually high. Would they love to head out on a field trip or enjoy an end of year social event? Is there a demand for an after school Craft Club or a sports coaching programme? Are there eco-warriors who would love to set up a wildlife garden or budding bakers in need of kitchen equipment? Are Leavers H ..read more

When considering ways to raise money for schools, PTAs are great at planning and preparing fundraising events. These can be great at generating income, but often require a significant number of willing volunteers. Are you looking for a different approach? If so, applying to foundations that offer grants for schools could be an option. The Advantages of Grant Applications Is there an experienced bid writer who can offer their skills to the PTA? One or two dedicated PTA members can work on grant applications, so it isn’t dependent on a large and supportive school community. Successful grant appl ..read more

As a small school or a school that struggles with parent involvement, grand events like a Summer Fete are a challenge. In this article, we suggest 5 ways to generate funds whilst keeping the workload to a minimum. Before you Start Fundraising The first step is to clarify what the PTA funds will be used for. Does the school need additional equipment or resources in the classroom or playground? Could funding provide an opportunity for a specialist to provide music, art or PE sessions? Is the school looking to build an outdoor classroom? With the end goal in mind, set a realistic fundraising tota ..read more

After the excitement of Easter Eggs and a two-week break, Year 6 pupils will be returning for their final term in school. This is an opportunity for the school and PTA to help them create memories to take with them as they move up to secondary school. During the final term, there may a little flexibility in the curriculum to allow for some different activities. There can still be learning objectives and, events can showcase and develop a range of talents. Year 6 pupils can also take on responsibilities to help make events happen. They might vote for preferences and assist with the planning and ..read more

The majority of PTA events focus on providing activities and events that appeal to parents and/or pupils. These can liven up the school calendar and generate funds, but parent’s pockets are only so deep. It’s time to look beyond the school gates for fresh opportunities to raise funds for the school. Local businesses and companies that parents work for can support your fundraising objectives. This article explores: What is Corporate Social Responsibility? What’s in it for businesses? How can businesses contribute to PTA fundraising? Building community relationships What is Corporate Social Re ..read more

PTAs are always looking for ways to raise money for schools. Organising fetes, competitions and sponsored events take considerable effort and every penny counts. These school fundraising ideas provide resources that enhance opportunities for the pupils. One way to boost takings is to apply for Gift Aid. It requires registering your PTA as a charity, additional paperwork and it isn’t possible to claim Gift Aid on every donation, so is it worth it? Can PTAs Claim Gift Aid? Gift Aid is a Government scheme charity relief scheme. They offer to contribute 25p for every (qualifying) £1 donation. If y ..read more

In our previous blog, we offered ideas for the school fete. Let us offer you alternative ideas that are best suited to the summer term. Depending on resources, we hope the following primary school fundraising ideas will spark imaginations. PTA Refreshment Stalls The school calendar is often filled with events where parents, siblings and other guests are invited to come along. These include Sports Day and end of year performances. At any of these events, visitors welcome the opportunity to grab a drink and snack. With willing volunteers, the PTA could run refreshment stalls at every opportunity ..read more

Hooray! Schools are re-opening; the first step in the roadmap out of lockdown. Teachers and children can get off the screens and back into the classroom. A sense of normality can resume. As families are keen to get out and about, now is a great time to plan a celebratory summer fete. Get it right and the summer fete can be one of the best school fundraisers of the year. So, here are 10 ideas to help your PTA make the most of the opportunity. 1. School Fete Themes Theming your event can make it easier to decide on games and stalls, providing variety from previous events. Here are four suggestio ..read more

Every Parent Teacher Association plays a valuable role in raising money for the school. PTA fundraising efforts provide access to resources that would otherwise be unavailable. These resources can enrich lessons and provide new learning and play opportunities for all pupils. When you think of it like this, it is surprising that not all parents are keen to get involved. We know that everyone leads a busy life and it can feel like there is not enough time to help out. Sometimes parents are fearful that if they offer a little, they might get dragged in and expected to do far more than intended. O ..read more