Non-Food Fundraisers

Non-Food Ways to Raise Funds and Reward a Job Well Done

Food sales are common for school fundraising events. We’re all familiar with lollipops for an “A” and cookies for taking the trash out. But many Texas kids today are overwhelmed with sugary food choices and face obesity and a future of serious health problems.

Creating activities that are not based on food can be a great way to encourage everyone — children, parents, teachers and school administrators —to think outside the candy box and leave that bake sale on the shelf. The Texas Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Division offers the following easy, low cost alternatives for fundraising and rewards that generate both fun and great results.

EASY NON-FOOD FUNDRAISING IDEAS

Getting started is as simple as choosing an idea, modifying it to fit your needs and organizing your project. To help make your next fundraising project a true success, try including goals for parent and teacher participation in addition to the usual monetary goals. Project leaders can get the benefit of several points-of- view and plenty of helping hands, and participants may find new friendships and develop a greater sense of community. Make it fun and you’ll see terrific attitudes, great participation and much-needed dollars!

SPONSORSHIPS

Hold an academic contest where students solicit sponsors and raise money depending on the number of books read or math problems solved.
Organize athletic events for students to earn funds based on the number of laps completed, distance traveled while keeping balance (for example, carrying an egg on a spoon or hopping on one foot) or number of points scored.

FINE ARTS

Create an event where people pay a small ticket price to see a parent-teacher talent show, plays or concerts.
Sell tickets for singing telegrams that students per- form on Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day or birthdays.
Ask students to make scrapbooks, cookbooks or art and sell the items at school, through silent auctions or craft booths at local fairs.

A LITTLE WORK

For older students in middle school and high school, partner with local merchants to offer donation- based gift wrapping services, car washes, dog/cat bathing or pet sitting.
Sign up for after-event cleanup at stadiums or concert venues.
For high school kids, arrange a “parents night out” and offer group babysitting for a fee.

OTHER IDEAS

Ease back-to-school stress by buying school sup- plies in bulk, packaging for parents and delivering to students. Bulk buying will help save on up-front costs and parents will pay about the same for ready-made school supplies as they would if they purchased the items from the store.
Work with local merchants and conduct a student fashion show with coupon giveaways for new clothes. A minimal ticket price could be charged for attendance.
For more ideas on non-food fundraising, you can also go to www.nojunkfood.org.

EASY NON-FOOD REWARD IDEAS

As adults, we often “treat” ourselves after a rough day or a bad experience with a sweet indulgence or other food choice. The same can be true when we earn a promotion or close a sale. But we could choose to relax with a book, take a warm bath, watch a favorite movie or spend more time with loved ones. Just like us, students can find value in non-food rewards without missing cookies, candy or soft drinks. Recognition for good work is a great motivator and is always appreciated.

LET’S PARTY

Parents can allow a sleepover or a few friends over after school to watch a video or play sports.
Teachers can let students bring music and balloons for a class party after a big test or before winter vacation.
Schools can sponsor an evening dance, a “DVD Day” for watching a movie or a pep rally to gear up for an important test.

FREE TIME

At home, children can be allowed to help plan a special outing, decide on a bedtime story, pick games for family game night, choose a movie for the family to watch or select a sport everyone can play together outside.
At school, students can be given time off on Friday afternoon, extra time in a favorite class area, class outside or an afternoon free of homework.

TREASURES

Teachers and parents can keep a box of special toys, computer games or art supplies that can only be used on special occasions.
Good behavior and academic excellence can be re- warded with movie tickets, coupons, gift certificates or discounts to skating rinks, bowling alleys and other active entertainment outlets.
“Mystery” gift-wrapped items such as markers, coloring books, puzzles, games, jump ropes or hacky sacks can be provided for students to choose from. Students can also earn points for good behavior to purchase unique rewards, such as “lunch with the teacher” or autographed items with special meaning.