Factors Known to Lead to Fundraising Success

Research by the Baring Foundation suggests that maintained English primary and 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. Some 49% of schools are raising more than £10,000 a year.

Secondary schools raise money from a much wider spread of funds than primary schools. Companies are the main non-LEA source of support, but some of the highest fundraising secondary schools are community schools with high levels of parental support. These high fundraising schools tend to use diverse methods such as:

• Fundraising from the general public, parents and events
• Company donations
• Commercial sponsorship
• Parental covenant schemes
• Applications for grants/lottery funds
• Income generation (trading goods or services).?

So what do schools raise money for? Computers, music and sports equipment top the list, followed by redevelopment of school grounds, seeking Specialist status, transport and voluntary support of school trips.

It is harder to raise money from companies and local events in a socially deprived area. Low income and low employment mean many schools do not want to be continually approaching parents for financial support. On the other hand, schools in deprived areas can use their location to their advantage when applying for grants and lottery funds.

Investing in Fundraising Skills & Strategies

Fundraising for schools and school activities is nothing new. Only now with the pressures of Workforce Reform and initiatives like Extended schools and Specialist Status, many schools are reviewing the way raise funds, co-ordinating efforts and planning ahead. For the first time ever, maintained schools are setting up Development Offices with paid fundraising staff, already common practice within Private Schools. With a growing need for highly trained people who can lead school fundraising campaigns, accredited training in this area is proving to be a great investment.

Schools that experience high levels of fundraising success will have taken some or all of the following steps:

1. Identifying and training staff to coordinate fundraising (SBM or other)
2. Establishing their school's current priorities.
3. Establishing how much money is needed and over what timescale.
4. Producing a fundraising strategy
5. Preparing proposals for each individual project.
6. Matching the funds required for each project to the most appropriate sources
7. Reviewing fundraising efforts at regular intervals.
8. Celebrating successes along the way, though media and project champions

Practical Steps to Boost Your School's Fundraising Approach

Tops tips to help you review and revive your schools fundraising skills and strategy.

1. Speak to your Head and Bursar

Leadership provides fuel and direction so try to work closely with senior staff at your school.

2. Decide your goals

Why not ask pupils and parents to suggest the three things that would most improve the school environment? You may be surprised by the results! Collect this information through existing forums:

• Noticeboards and questionnaires at school fairs and parent evenings
• School council agendas
• Assemblies and discussions in form groups

3. Adopt project champions

Do your school fundraising projects have champions who will speak for their value and importance to children, families and the community?

4. Research your local area

One of the best places to find local area statistics is the Neighbourhood Statistics Service, where you can type in your school's postcode and receive a range of economic and population statistics. Visit www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk.

5. Check out the grants awarded to others

Visit the lottery site www.lottery.culture.gov.uk and find out what other schools in your area have received money for. Were you surprised by any of the types of activities on the list? What is your school doing that is similar?

6. Find out what's available

All web savvy fundraisers should make use of grants databases, such as  Grantnet, at www.grantnet.com. It has lists of all sorts of grants available for schools and has a search facility for primary and secondary education. For new lottery announcements see www.lotteryfunding.org.uk.

7. Set up a Grants Working Party!

Explore the idea of a dedicated sub-group or committee with governors, the Head and the PTA working together to try and bring in the much needed money to support the school. This way, tasks can be divided.

8. Consider Income generation methods:

• Grants applications to trusts and foundations, and the lottery
• Business partnerships
• Community fundraising and event management
• Setting up small lotteries
• Facilities audit and lettings
• Creation of charitable trading company.
• Legacies
• Alumni (ex pupil) development
• Rationalisation of sports equipment and uniform supplies.

Further Training

Many of the above aspects are covered in detail in a short course for schools, the Certificate in School Fundraising & Income Generation at www.fundraisingskills.co.uk. This is the only accredited school fundraising course in the UK, training leads to:

• A 12 month funding strategy
• A polished Trust appeal for a project of your choice
• Step by step review of your school's existing model