QwirkyGear - Spirit Wear for School Fundraising
How To Plan A Straw Draw Fundraiser
Don't Draw The Short Straw!
A Straw Draw Fundraiser is a fun and easy way for a school to raise money for extracurricular activities or other projects. It involves selling straws or tickets to participants, with the winner receiving a prize or cash prize. Not only does it provide an opportunity for students to get involved and contribute to their school community, but it also allows them to learn valuable skills such as teamwork, organization, and marketing.
Step-By-Step Instructions
If you're thinking of organizing a Straw Draw Fundraiser for your school, here's a step-by-step guide to help you plan and execute the event:
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Step 1: Determine the purpose and goals of the fundraiser
Before you begin organizing the straw draw, it is important to establish the purpose and goals of the fundraiser. This will help guide your decisions and ensure that the event is successful in meeting its intended objectives. Some questions to consider include:
- What is the money being raised for?
- How much money do you hope to raise?
- Who is the target audience for the fundraiser? (e.g. students, parents, community members)
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Step 2: Set a budget and timeline
Once you have determined the purpose and goals of the fundraiser, it is important to set a budget and timeline for the event. This will help you plan and allocate resources effectively, as well as ensure that everything runs smoothly. Some factors to consider when setting a budget and timeline include:
- The cost of purchasing prizes and other supplies (e.g. decorations, signage)
- The cost of advertising and promoting the event (e.g. flyers, social media posts)
- The availability of volunteers to help with setup and sales
- The length of time you have to plan and execute the event
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Step 3: Secure a location
Next, you will need to find a suitable location for the straw draw. This could be on school grounds, at a local park, or at another community location. Consider factors such as accessibility, parking, and foot traffic when selecting a location. You may also need to secure permission from the location owner or governing body to hold the event.
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Step 4: Coordinate with vendors and suppliers
Once you have a location secured, you will need to coordinate with vendors and suppliers to purchase the prizes and any other supplies you will need for the event. This could include decorations, signage, and other materials. Be sure to shop around and compare prices to get the best deals.
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Step 5: Plan the prize structure
Now it's time to decide on the prize structure for the straw draw. This could involve offering a variety of prizes such as gift cards, electronics, or other items, with different ticket prices for each prize. You may also want to offer a cash prize as the grand prize. Be sure to consider the cost of the prizes and the overall budget for the event when planning the prize structure.
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Step 6: Promote the event
Now it's time to spread the word about the straw draw! There are a variety of ways you can promote the event, including creating flyers and posters to distribute around the school and community, promoting the event on social media, and reaching out to local media outlets (e.g. newspapers, radio stations) to get the word out.
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Step 7: Set up and run the event
On the day of the event, be sure to arrive early to set up and get everything ready. This could include setting up tables and decorations, organizing the prizes and tickets, and making sure you have enough volunteers to help with sales and other tasks. During the event, be sure to engage with customers and promote the cause for which the funds are being raised.
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Step 8: Follow up and thank volunteers and donors
After the event is over, be sure to follow up with any volunteers or donors to thank them for their support. This could include sending thank-you notes or emails, or even hosting a small appreciation event to show your gratitude.
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Step 9: Post-event evaluation and planning
After the straw draw is over, it is important to take some time to evaluate the success of the event and identify areas for improvement in future fundraisers. Some questions to consider include:
- Did the event meet its financial goals?
- Were there any unexpected challenges or issues that arose during the event?
- Were there any particular marketing or promotion strategies that were particularly effective?
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Step 10: Engage the community
A straw draw fundraiser is not only a great way to raise money for your school, but it can also be a great opportunity to engage with the local community. Consider partnering with local businesses or organizations to help promote and run the event. You can also reach out to community members to volunteer their time or donate supplies or other resources to the event.
Running a Straw Draw Fundraiser is a fun and easy way for a school to raise money and engage with the community. By following these steps and involving students and other volunteers, you can plan and execute a successful event that benefits everyone involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: How can I get support for my school fundraiser?
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You can get support for your school fundraiser by promoting the event to the school community and local community through flyers, social media, and word of mouth. You can also consider reaching out to local businesses or organizations for sponsorships or donations. A fundraising system like a QwirkyGear Spiritstore provides artwork formatted for sharing on a variety of social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram.
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Q: How can I set a goal for my school fundraiser?
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To set a goal for your school fundraiser, consider the costs associated with the event or project you are fundraising for and how much money you need to raise. You can also consider the size of your school community and the potential for participation.
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Q: How can I handle money collected during a school fundraiser?
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It is important to handle money collected during a school fundraiser responsibly and transparently. You can set up a separate bank account for the fundraiser, or designate an adult to be in charge of collecting and handling the funds. It is also a good idea to keep accurate records of all donations and expenses. A fundraising system like a QwirkyGear Spiritstore tracks the progress of your fundraiser online for transparencey and then sends your school a check at the end.
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Q: How can I thank donors for their support of my school fundraiser?
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You can thank donors for their support of your school fundraiser by sending a personal thank you note or email, recognizing their contribution at an event or assembly, or featuring their business or organization on your school's website or social media.
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Q: How can I make sure my school fundraiser is successful?
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To ensure your school fundraiser is successful, it is important to plan ahead, set a clear goal and plan for how to reach it, promote the event effectively, and handle the funds responsibly. You should also make sure to involve students, teachers, and other members of the school community in the planning process. A fundraising system like a QwirkyGear Spiritstore is especially helpful in promoting and tracking your fundraiser.
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Q: Are there any legal considerations to keep in mind when planning a school fundraiser?
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There are a few legal considerations to keep in mind when planning a school fundraiser, such as obtaining any necessary permits or licenses, following rules and regulations related to food safety (if applicable), and ensuring that all fundraising activities comply with local, state, and federal laws. It is also a good idea to consult with your school's administration and legal counsel to ensure that your fundraiser is in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
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Q: How can I track the progress of my school fundraiser?
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You can track the progress of your school fundraiser by setting up a system to record donations and keep track of expenses. You can also consider setting up a thermometer or other visual display to show the progress towards your fundraising goal. An example of an excellent fundraising system that does this is a QwirkyGear Spiritstore.
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Q: How can I motivate students to participate in a school fundraiser?
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You can motivate students to participate in a school fundraiser by making the event fun and interactive, highlighting the impact of the fundraising efforts on the school or local community, and offering incentives or prizes for participation.
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Q: Can I use social media to promote my school fundraiser?
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Yes, social media can be a useful tool for promoting your school fundraiser. You can use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to share information about the event, updates on the progress towards your fundraising goal, and photos and videos from the event. You can also consider creating a hashtag for the event to make it easier for people to follow and share updates. When you use a fundraising system like a QwirkyGear Spiritstore half of your work is done for you since they provide sharable artwork for promoting your fundraiser on social media.
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Q: How can I involve the local community in my school fundraiser?
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There are several ways to involve the local community in your school fundraiser, such as reaching out to local businesses or organizations for sponsorships or donations, promoting the event through local media outlets and community calendars, and inviting community members to attend or participate in the event. You can also consider partnering with local organizations or businesses to host the event or provide resources and support.
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Q: Can I use online platforms to support my school fundraiser?
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Yes, online platforms can be a useful tool for supporting your school fundraiser. For example, you can create a fundraising page on a platform like QwirkyGear, GoFundMe or Kickstarter to reach a wider audience and make it easy for people to donate online. You can also use social media to promote the fundraiser and share updates on the progress towards your goal.
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Q: How can I follow up after my school fundraiser is over?
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After your school fundraiser is over, it is important to follow up with donors and participants to thank them for their support and provide updates on how the funds were used. You can do this through a thank you letter or email, or by sharing updates on social media or the school's website. It is also a good idea to evaluate the success of the fundraiser and consider what worked well and what could be improved for future events.
