Parent-teacher associations (PTAs), the dynamic groups of parents, guardians and teachers that bring their enthusiasm and determination every year to raise much-needed funds for their schools - are always on the lookout to optimize their efforts. In the last few years, online fundraising has played a larger role in generating funds, particularly when events and in-person initiatives have not been able to go ahead. From crowdfunding to running giving days online, there are many ways to engage your school community with the support of PTA members, and maximise fundraising results. Here are a few ideas for community activities and initiatives that the PTA can help you run.

1. Creating a special day for different segments of your school community

While fundraising is often centered around parents of students and alumni, there are other members of your school community, such as grandparents, who would love to get involved. Dedicate a day to showing these people how important they are to your school community; you could invite them into your school to spend a day with their grandchildren at the school and to sign up to your school community platform. By building a relationship with other groups of people with a link to your school who might not be currently engaged or aware of the work you do, you can share updates and encourage them to make a gift to support the school’s future. The first step could be asking the PTA for their ideas on specific segments of the school community that you could engage together, and for suggestions on activity to match. 

2. Using a microsite or multisite to host special campaigns

Running specialised campaigns is made easy using a microsite; simply direct visitors to a unique and interactive page that hosts all the information about your campaign, and tell them a story that helps them understand why you are asking them to get involved. Once you have them on board, you can collect donations that are logged automatically in your database in the same way that this works with your main website. When preparing your email segmentation for follow up communications, you can then filter your contacts to group those that donated to a particular campaign, and identify who is a first-time donor so you can send them tailored communications - all using one easy-to-use piece of software. Getting the PTA on board before giving campaigns is essential if you want to benefit from their support throughout, so be sure to keep them updated with your plans, and even ask them to commit to giving a certain amount each, in advance. 

3. Running school raffles or lotteries 

Give the whole school community a reason to get involved by promoting the chance to win some in-demand prizes. By encouraging companies that are affiliated with the school and local businesses to donate goods, services and experiences to you, you can also keep this low-cost. 

By running some initiatives like this online, using the school shop feature on your website or private portal and collecting payments on the same platform, you are likely to attract a higher number of participants overall, leading to more raffle tickets being purchased and therefore raising more funds for the school. Why not start by asking the PTA whether they are affiliated with any companies who could donate something for people to win, and then encourage them to promote the raffle which in turn will help to give them some promotion! 

4. Running school competitions

Another way to raise funds remotely and bring the school community together is by running regular and varied competitions that will appeal to people of all ages. Planning several competitions per year will maximise the number of contact details you collect through your website and community portal and store on database records, as well as giving you the greatest chance of raising funds in this way. Get the school spirit going with competitions on topics such as art, music, baking, photography, gardening, pottery and even pet-related challenges! Establish these so that people paid a small fee to enter the competition, and be sure to publish as many entries as possible on your community portal or main school website for others to vote on. Check whether PTA members are aware of any special skills or remarkable talents to highlight, and make sure they get their family members involved. 

5. Creating advertising opportunities

Advertising for local businesses is a great way to generate funds and create a regular income stream. Advertising online is easier than ever; you can set up on-page ads, offer business directory listings, create co-branded content or offer events sponsorship. If you have the resource, you could create sponsorship packs for businesses to consider. Members of the PTA are likely to have connections with companies and local businesses who may wish to put their brands or products in front of school communities, so give them the opportunity to make suggestions and consider incentivising them by offering discounted rates for PTA members. 

Creating online opportunities for fundraising is a great way to make the most of your PTAs efforts and reach a greater proportion of your community. Find out how ToucanTech customers are building engaged school communities that give back by contacting a member of the team.