Fundraising

Considering the ethics of fundraising

scameron — Thu, 19 May 2011 15:59:42 +0100

As more and more schools look to increase income through their own efforts, we are beginning to see a greater diversity in fundraising methods, from events such as school fetes, fashion shows, raffles, competitions and sponsored activities through to applications to the Lottery and grant-making trusts.

Fundraising on your local high street

scameron — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 12:45:31 +0000

Although you may be familiar with the wide variety of voucher schemes run by retailers for various projects, the local high street may not seem the obvious place to consider when searching for help with other projects. However, most large chains operate a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda and, as part of this, offer grants and awards for community projects.

Encouraging science activities with external funding: 2

scameron — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:54:49 +0000

As a follow-up to my earlier article on sources for inspiration in science, I’d like this time to focus on some different approaches to fostering scientific development and scientific thinking.

School fundraising in America: a case study

scameron — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:46:47 +0000

In the United States public schools are funded by the state that they are located in. The state funding goes far enough to pay for the bare bones of an educational facility, but, in common with the UK, there is not much left for the kind of innovations that make education come to life. This article will showcase the fundraising efforts of a successful school situated in the state of Georgia, as a means of illustrating the diverse funding strategies that are being used in the USA to improve provision in schools.

Encouraging science activities with external funding

scameron — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:47:42 +0000

Despite the ongoing debate about the need to improve standards, in many respects science is still the Cinderella of the curriculum when it comes to looking for ways of funding projects. Science has not enjoyed the most exciting of profiles and, as a consequence, while many people are attracted to ‘technological advances’ and can see the benefit of investing in IT, there is very little interest in investing in developing scientific awareness.

Grants for schools: the Foyle Foundation

scameron — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:59:21 +0000

When you think of Foyles you probably think of the famous bookshop in London, or you might connect it with the Poetry Society’s Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award. However, its association with education and creative arts is considerably more complex as can be seen by the work of the Foyle Foundation. This is an independent grant-making trust that distributes grants to charities whose core work is in the areas of learning, the arts and health.

Primary Assembly: If at first you don't succeed

scameron — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:21:43 +0100

Resources
It will be useful to have access to these web pages:

• www.woodvale-challenge.com
Scroll down to the bottom for photographs of the Scilly Boys rowing past the Statue of Liberty.

• www.map-of-uk.com/images/map-of-uk.gif
Map of UK showing Isles of Scilly

School business managers: utilise your advanced fundraising skills

scameron — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:55 +0100

In many schools, school business managers (SBMs) and bursars are playing an increasing role in sourcing funds for whole-school improvement initiatives. Some schools may even be under the impression that the appointment of a new SBM means that they pass on this responsibility entirely to this person. The reality is that large-scale fundraising needs to be a team activity and rarely works successfully if one person is solely responsible.

Working with parents to raise additional funds for your school

scameron — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:52 +0100

As the role of bursar increasingly changes to become the school business manager (SBM) the list of tasks and roles a school may wish you to undertake becomes ever more varied. One task that a headteacher may be very keen to pass on to you is leading the school’s fundraising activities. These could be for a capital project, a specialist schools bid or in some cases providing much needed revenue to employ additional staff to deliver school improvement initiatives.

The role of risk taking in school improvement

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:49 +0100

Risk is very much associated with the management of change. Heads taking over a new school will want to make changes. There seems little point in taking over a new school simply to maintain the status quo. Risks are an intrinsic part of the pattern of change. Chris James and Una Connolly, in Effective Change in Schools, write about ‘the stages and processes associated with the change process, the risks that accompany change’ and ‘the uncertainties associated with change’.

All in the name of duty: seeking sponsorship

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:40 +0100

Mrs O'C writes: "...I was in Pizza Express in the name of work – yes on a Saturday afternoon, yes I did get a free cup of coffee out of it but I was dressed smartly, have a dozen or so Mother's Day related errands to run and I nearly got a £40 parking fine out of it!

What's your fundraising vision and strategy?

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:33 +0100

Now that the scale of the external funds available to schools is becoming clear, many bursars and business managers are being asked to turn their attention to bid-writing and other income generation activities, with the hope that individual schools can enjoy their fair share of the billions of pounds now available to schools every year. However, when asked what overall vision and strategy underpins this work, many schools still draw a blank. It is clear that fundraising work for many schools is still rather opportunistic and is simply not being driven by a wider school improvement agenda.

Creative collaboration in fundraising

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:33 +0100

As school leaders we are often placed in a dilemma as to whether an additional source of funding allows us to carry out a genuinely worthwhile project. For example, many school managers have received grants for reasonably large amounts, often through Pathfinder projects, announced this to staff and then realised that the funds are so tightly directed that there is no additional revenue to pursue any other objectives.

Legal basics for teachers: Charities Act 2006 update for independent schools

ewtemp — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:20 +0100

After nearly three years in the parliamentary system, the Charities Bill received royal assent last November. The Charities Act comes into force in stages over the next two years. This article gives an overview of its provisions.

Some thought that the new Act might not make it to the statute books. This was because of reluctance to confront those who were determined that independent schools should prove they were of benefit to the public.

Fundraising: a force for change

ewtemp — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:18 +0100

How seriously does your school take fundraising? Is it included as a distinct element in your school improvement plan, or is it the preserve of a few key enthusiasts among your staff or PTA? Perhaps you occupy the middle ground, engaging actively with a range of funding streams but wanting to get more for your school?

Managing and accounting for funds you have raised

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:58 +0100

Whether you are a large social enterprise nursery or a voluntary pre-school, applying for funding or fundraising is likely to figure prominently in your activities.

Managing your funds

Working with the media to promote your school

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:45 +0100

Main points for positive results

Training governors to be fundraisers

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:17 +0100

What’s more, for the first time in history:

- the average school building is over 25 years old;
- around 90% of school costs are for staffing.

One typical primary school has seen dramatic changes over the past five years both in what it raises funds for and how it does it. Originally the odd jumble sale or low key summer fete would raise cash for the ‘icing on the cake’ items – resources that the school budget wouldn’t stretch to.