2 Unique Ways Schools Get Free Big Event Fundraiser Awards
Learn how your school can experience a free big event fundraiser and significantly increase your profits
Schools that regularly use our big event fundraising prize programs are acutely aware of the many advantages they offer compared to standard elementary school prize plans. To be fair, there are also some potential obstacles that some schools will face as well. Big event incentives are definitely not for every school. However, this article will describe 2 unique ways that some schools might be able to overcome those hurdles.
Many sponsors are moving away from the usual prize program that typically rewards a small number of students, but always seems to leave everyone else out in the cold. In fact, most students end up not selling anything at all once they realize how difficult it is to get the prize they really want.
Those few students who sell a lot get rewarded; however, the majority realize how hard it is to win the better prizes and either become discouraged after selling a few items, or don’t bother selling anything at all.
On the other hand, with a big event incentive plan, every student who sells just a few items from their fundraising catalog gets to trade in their cheap toy for the privilege of gaining free admission to an exciting event that comes to their school.
The requirements for going to the event are simple. Sell 5 items and go to a magic or reptile adventures show. If the school chooses the super party or super splash party incentive, they need to sell 8 items. If you were a student, would you rather attend an exciting event with your friends, or get that inexpensive prize in your box that your parents can easily pick up at the dollar store?
Learn why big event incentives boost catalog fundraising sales
There’s also an educational benefit if schools choose a curriculum-based magic show or reptile show. However, what if your school that has to contend with one, or maybe even both of the following situations?
1. Smaller School Enrollment
You’re a smaller elementary school and wonder if you can meet the minimum dollar amount in order to receive your event for free.
We’ve had smaller schools raise enough money to qualify for a free big event; in fact, smaller schools typically average more items sold per student. This can definitely help; however, there is a point where a school just may not have enough students, no matter how much they sell. There are a couple of options to consider if you fall into this category.
- Choose a traditional prize program. Even though there are still item minimums that must be met, the prizes are always going to be free.
- Select what we call ‘Option B’. See how to qualify for a free big event. This allows the school to take a conservative approach to qualifying for a big event. With Option B, the school starts off with a traditional prize program. Then, if the school happens to reach the minimum sales goal, they automatically graduate up to the big event that that they select ahead of time.
In addition, the school has the option of doing what we call ‘changing your mind’. If you initially choose Option B, schools can still switch over to a big event even if they fall short of the sales goal. We’ve had several schools do this, and their sales ended up being much higher than they thought. The reason is they are still promoting their big event under the condition that the school reaches the goal. As a result, they realize that the cost share amount is doable.
Keep in mind that if the cost share becomes necessary, the money comes out of the school profits. In other words, the school has already raised this extra money and doesn’t have to obtain it from an external source.
2. Below Average Fundraising Sales History
Your student enrollment is more than adequate; however, your sales history just hasn’t been that good.
- With your previous brochure fundraiser you probably used a traditional prize program. When you compare the results from a big event fundraising prize program to a traditional program, sales have been proven to significantly improve with the former. Be careful not to compare your sales history with what your sale could be with a big event incentive. You’re comparing apples and oranges to what your sales could be.
- If your school has historically performed poorly using a traditional prize program, it may be a good idea to go back and take a closer look at why this may have occurred. For example, you may have had your fundraiser right after a nearby school did their sale, or perhaps you didn’t promote your sale enough.
- You still have Option B available as a fallback plan.
If you’re looking for additional ways to enhance your sale, check out these questions to consider when developing fundraising strategies.
Our primary goal is to have as many schools as possible experience a big event prize program. As a result, we have created several ways to help you get there. Once you’ve had one, you won’t want to go back to last year’s prize program.
Originally published at https://bigfundraisingideas.com.
