Looking for an easy way to raise funds to support your PTA? Fundraising is essential for PTAs (Parent-Teacher Associations) to finance school programs, events, and resources that enrich students' education. However, organizing fundraisers can be challenging, especially for busy parents and teachers. To simplify the process, Mobile Ed has three easy and effective fundraiser ideas that your PTA can implement with minimal effort and maximum impact.

1. Read-a-Thon

A Read-a-Thon is a fantastic fundraiser that promotes literacy while raising funds. The concept is simple: students read as many books or pages as possible over a set period, and sponsors pledge a certain amount of money per book or page read. Here's how to organize a successful Read-a-Thon:

1. Set a Date and Duration: Choose a suitable time frame for the Read-a-Thon, such as a week or a month. Ensure it doesn't conflict with major school events or holidays.
2. Create Pledge Forms: Design pledge forms for students to collect pledges from family, friends, and neighbors. Include spaces for the sponsor's name, contact information, and pledge amount per book or page.
3. Promote the Event: Use school newsletters, social media, and classroom announcements to inform students and parents about the Read-a-Thon. Emphasize the dual benefits of promoting reading and raising funds.
4. Track Progress: Provide students with reading logs to record the number of books or pages they read. Encourage teachers to incorporate reading time into their daily routines.
5. Collect Pledges: After the Read-a-Thon, students collect pledges based on their reading achievements. Set a deadline for turning in pledge forms and donations.
6. Celebrate Success: Recognize top readers and classrooms with certificates, prizes, or a special event. Share the results with the school community to show the impact of their efforts.

A Read-a-Thon is engaging for students, easy to organize, and promotes a love of reading while raising funds for your PTA.

2. Family Fun Night with the STEAM Museum

Transform your traditional fundraiser into an exciting Family Fun Night featuring the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Museum. The STEAM Museum is a portable science museum that brings twelve hands-on, age-appropriate exhibits for students to interact with, learn from, and have fun! This event raises funds and encourages educational and creative activities for students and their families. Here’s how to organize a successful Family Fun Night with the STEAM Museum:

1. Contact Mobile Ed for Availability. You can find availability for the STEAM Museum by reaching out to info@mobileedproductions.com, calling 800-433-7459, or filling out this form.  
2. Choose a Date and Location: Call Mobile Ed to select a date that works for most families and secure a location, such as a school gym or cafeteria. Ensure the space is large enough to accommodate various activity stations.
3. Promote the Event: Use flyers, social media, and school announcements to promote the Family Fun Night. Highlight the exciting activities and the opportunity for families to engage in fun, educational experiences.
4. Fundraising Elements: Incorporate fundraising components such as an entrance fee, raffle tickets, or a silent auction. You could also sell snacks, drinks, and school spirit items during the event.
5. Engage the Community: Encourage student and parent participation by assigning roles such as monitoring and running activities, and cleaning up. This involvement fosters a sense of community and ownership of the event.
6. Thank Volunteers and Participants: Show appreciation to all volunteers and participants through thank-you notes or a public acknowledgment in the school newsletter or website.

A Family Fun Night with the STEAM Museum is a dynamic and engaging way to raise funds while providing educational enrichment for students and their families.

3. Spirit Wear Sale

Selling school-branded spirit wear is an excellent way to boost school pride while raising funds. T-shirts, hoodies, hats, and other merchandise with the school logo and school year can be sold to students, parents, and staff. Each year represents a milestone in the students’ career. Here’s how to organize a successful Spirit Wear Sale:

1. Design the Merchandise: Work with a local vendor or an online company to create designs featuring the school logo, mascot, and colors. Offer a variety of items to appeal to different tastes and budgets.
2. Set Prices and Order Minimums: Determine the prices for each item, considering production costs and desired profit margins. Ensure you meet any order minimums set by the vendor.
3. Promote the Sale: Advertise the sale through school newsletters, social media, and posters. Create a sense of urgency by setting a clear deadline for orders.
4. Take Orders: Use order forms or an online store to collect orders and payments. Make it easy for parents and students to place orders by providing multiple payment options.
5. Distribute the Merchandise: Once the orders arrive, organize a distribution day at school. Ensure you have a system in place for checking and handing out orders efficiently.
6. Show School Spirit: Encourage students and staff to wear their spirit wear on designated spirit days or at school events. This visibility can boost sales for future spirit wear fundraisers.

A Spirit Wear Sale not only raises funds but also fosters a sense of community and school pride, making it a win-win fundraiser for your PTA.

Conclusion

Fundraising for your PTA doesn’t have to be complicated. By organizing a Read-a-Thon, Family Fun Night with the STEAM Museum, or Spirit Wear Sale, you can raise significant funds with minimal hassle. These ideas are easy to implement, engage the school community, and support the vital programs and resources that enhance the educational experience for all students. Happy fundraising!