The Essential Fundraising Guide For K 12 Schools

There is likely no one in the country who knows more about fundraising for public schools than Stan Levenson. - Jerold Panas, Best Selling Author and Founding Partner of Jerold Panas, Linzy & Partners Why the new edition of this book is so important for your fundraising efforts: In this revised and updated edition of the book, I have made corrections as needed to the more than 350 available links to enable you to access them with ease and efficiency. I have elaborated and offered suggestions on DonorsChoose.org because it has become so important in the lives of teachers across the USA. I have spent time researching funding agencies for Early Childhood Education because of the importance of early childhood education in the lives of children. I have enhanced the Naming Rights section of the book by adding a number of schools and school districts that have reached out to the community and have become successful in bringing in major dollars in Naming Rights. Their names and accomplishments have been added to this new edition of the book. Also, because so many people have been influenced positively by public school teachers at all levels, I have added a job description for Director of Alumni Relations to the section on Staffing the Development Office. Finally, I talk about The Fund For Portland Public Schools because they come closest to solving the problems that exist today in organizing and articulating Pre-K-12 fundraising.

This 1-hour book for busy people is loaded with fresh, new cutting-edge ideas to help alleviate the funding gap that exists in today's K-12 schools. The more than 350 links included will save you time, energy, and money and will keep you in touch with the latest innovations in fundraising for K-12. Whether you are a classroom teacher, a parent, a school foundation member, a school administrator, a volunteer, a school board member, or a school foundation board member, this book is written for you. It's all here for you, and best of all, it shouldn't take you more than an hour to read. TESTIMONIALS: “There is likely no one in the country who knows more about fundraising for public schools than Stan Levenson. He puts 40 years of hands-on experience into a remarkable book. There's nothing else like it. It takes you by the hand and leads you through every step in a school's fundraising program. It is fail-proof in building a successful design that ensures you of raising a great deal of money.” JEROLD PANAS, Best Selling Author and Founding Partner of Jerold Panas, Linzy & Partners.“The Essential Fundraising Guide for K-12 Schools is a great resource for the first-time and veteran fundraiser alike. Whether you're looking for donors to fund a classroom project, or launching a capital campaign to build a new facility, Stan offers dozens of practical tips and know-how to make the most of your efforts.” CHARLES BEST, CEO, DonorsChoose.org.“Stan Levenson thought of everything. You're in good hands. One book, and you'll know exactly how to succeed in the savagely competitive education grants arena.” TOM AHERN, Author, Making Money With Donor Newsletters; How to Write Fundraising Materials that Raise More Money; and Seeing Through a Donor's Eyes.“Legendary, fundraising and "friendraising" guru, Stan Levenson, has done it again! He's created another terrific tool to boost both awareness and skills in the competitive arena of school fundraising. The best school leaders and community advocates are always seeking ways to preserve and enhance educational quality for all children by boosting resources and winning new donors. This book unlocks a treasure-trove of proven best practices for creating a comprehensive school fundraising program and should be on the desk of every school development officer and savvy school leader.” HOWIE SCHAFFER, President, Bonanza Communications, Founding Editor, PEN Weekly NewsBlast“Stan has hit it out of the park again! His book puts in one place all the information that preK-12 staff would need, no matter the demographics of their campus/school, methods to obtain additional resources to meet their stakeholders' needs. This is a book that both the first time "grant writer" and the twenty-year expert can benefit from reading.” GARY LEE FRYE, Ed.D. GPCHomeless Liaison / Grant Writer, Lubbock-Cooper ISD. Executive Director for Llano Estacado Rural Communities Foundation. Lubbock, TX

This book improves school fundraising results! In this book you will find tactics, secrets and tricks of the trade that will allow your elementary school to fundraise less and more successfully. Find out how elementary groups big and small can use simple, yet proven techniques to make any fundraising strategy easy and effective.

Being a head of school is both challenging and rewarding work. Heads of school and those who aspire to the role are expected to engage alumni and parents and raise money effectively; yet, most have received little or no training or support in advancement. In Fundraising for Schools: 8 Keys to Success Every Head of School Should Know, veteran fundraising consultant Linda Wise McNay demystifies fundraising for school leaders. This innovative book will guide school leaders on: How heads of school should manage their time in every stage of their fundraising and stewardship efforts The importance of board leadership The critical relationship between the head of school and, if there is one, the chief development officer Detailed instruction on "how to ask" McNay offers lessons that she routinely shares with her independent school clients. Some schools do not have a chief development officer or experienced advancement staff. She shares detailed explanations of which fundraising tasks are the most important and which should be undertaken first by school leadership. She explains annual giving, major giving, capital campaigns, and the school's endowment. This book is organized into eight chapters: Chapter One: Three Secrets to Successful Fundraising. Schools cannot be supported by tuition alone. Therefore, the head of school needs to devote significant time and attention to fundraising. A school leader must be able to present the case for support and lead the board and staff in a team effort to ask for funds, all while following a coordinated plan of action. Chapter Two: Fundraising Methods by Rate of Return. A school fundraising plan should include scheduled direct mail, telephone, event, sponsorship, email, and personal solicitations. Effectiveness of all solicitations is enhanced with an accurate database and appropriate stewardship. Chapter Three: The Big Ask. The head of school needs to be able to talk about money-a lot. The greatest reason people give money is because they are asked in person! Chapter Four: Forge a Lasting Partnership with the Chief Development Officer. Development is the process of building long-term, positive, and mutually beneficial relationships between donors and the school. This is best achieved by the combined efforts of the head of school and the development staff member(s) and volunteers. It is definitely not a one-person job. Chapter Five: A Primary Responsibility of the Board Is to Raise Money. One hundred percent of board members should participate in fundraising both as donors and in soliciting others to all campaigns at your school. Chapter Six: Operational Funds Have Less Donor Appeal, but They Are Essential. Most schools begin their fundraising efforts with the annual fund. You must create a case for annual operating needs and train your volunteers on the importance of unrestricted giving. Chapter Seven: Capital Campaigns Occur Every Three to Five Years, so Prepare Yourself. Everyone is an annual fund prospect. Some donors are also capital gift prospects. The top 10 donors are critical to your campaign success. Chapter Eight: Endowment Building for the Future. The best way to build an endowment for your school is to initiate a planned giving program.

Need help raising money for your child's school, sports team or club? A Mom's Guide to School Fundraising by Sarah Barrett answers all your questions in a light-hearted, informative and entertaining way.Parents all over the country are taking action and working with their schools to raise money. This book will give you the ideas you need - whether you want to go big or stay small, whether you have a ton of time or need to raise funds quickly - to bring money into your kids' school and make a difference.Sarah Barrett has been fundraising at her daughters' school for over five years. She is a former teacher and small business owner with an MA in Education who has traded in her full-time career to dedicate her time and energy to fundraising for her neighborhood school. In this guide, you will learn how to:* Write solicitation letters that yield donations large and small.* Use email marketing techniques to increase fundraising and participation.* Get kids involved so they understand the importance of giving back.* Produce and promote events tailored for your school community.* Evaluate the Return On Investment (ROI) for each event so you're not investing time and energy into an event that makes only a small fraction of what you need.What parents are saying about this guide:"As co-chair of our local PTSA I can say with absolute conviction that A Mom's Guide to School Fundraising" offers a host of insightful answers to the age-old, but oft overlooked question of 'why do you need to raise money for your school?' It also answers the equally as important 'how'. Packed with practical and easy to follow advice from schools in almost every state in the nation, this guide will leave you with a plethora of 'a-ha' moments. Truly, a must-read for all schools looking for new ideas to raise funds and stay competitive in this economic climate. Its more than an informational guide, its an investment in the future of your school." -Melissa Bolton, mom/PTA co-chair in Rochester, NY "If you're trying to fundraise for your school, this book is a must-read. Sarah's extensive tips and resources will save you tons of time and frustration AND help you raise tons of money!" -Heather McCarron Allard, The Mogul Mom"Sarah Barrett's book is full of great fundraising ideas. The book is set out in an easy to understand format and categorized so that you can easily pick and choose from her menu of ideas. She provides detailed concrete suggestions, scripts, and emails that you can use for contacting families and businesses. A wonderful resource and useful for fundraising newbies and veterans alike." -Rebecca Rabson, Mom, business owner, Massachusetts"If your school needs to fundraise, reading Sarah Barrett's book A Mom's Guide to School Fundraising is a great first step. In addition to detailing a huge range of successful fundraisers from around the country - from raffles to phone-a-thons to auctions to book fairs - it explains the complexities of each. A Mom's Guide to School Fundraising is an idea generator, a brain sparker, a realistic look at the hard work involved, and a significant time-saver for your planning team." -Ellen Zimmerman, President, Jewish Holidays In A Box

Covering the entire fundraising process, this comprehensive text offers a wealth of practical strategies for pursuing "big time" grants and gifts for America's public schools.

Stan Levenson was a poor, fatherless kid with few aspirations during the Great Depression and World War II aside from getting into trouble. So it might come as a big surprise that this self-described goof-off went on to make an international name for himself helping school districts around the world reap millions of dollars. When Brooklyn Was Heaven lovingly chronicles a 30-year (1931-61) journey through Brooklyn neighborhoods rich in history and culture, the Borscht Belt of the Catskills, small college towns in upstate New York, military duty in the United States Navy, and a lifestyle that crisscrossed a continent and the globe. Through determination and chutzpah, Levenson graduated from one of the roughest vocational high schools in New York City, attended college, earned advanced degrees including a Ph.D., and transformed fundraising in the public schools. But not before playing the lead in a number of memorable misadventures. A vividly detailed portrait of stickball games, scrap-metal drives, Coney Island capers, Catskill mountain highs, college classics, awkward gropes, Naval adventures, L.A. dreaming, and sheer grit. When Brooklyn Was Heaven is a must read for anyone with a New York connection, those who are fascinated by this joyful place, and all others who are intrigued by the places in-between.

The essential guide to operating a school fundraising group.