Fundraising at Magnolia Elementary

At Magnolia Elementary, we believe that fundraising should be inclusive, equitable, and community-driven. Our goal is to ensure that every child has access to the resources they need to learn and grow, regardless of their family’s ability to contribute financially.

1. Participation for All – community events are always free
2. Giving is welcome and encouraged in all ways. Talent, energy, time, and monetarily – everyone in our community has something valuable to offer. We will provide opportunities for everyone in the community to participate in supporting our community and school.
3. Equal Recognition – every act of support, no matter the size or form, is celebrated. We appreciate all who give, whether it’s time, talent, or financial support.
4. No Pressure Giving – giving should feel good, never obligatory. There is no expectation for anyone to give beyond their means.
5. No Student Sales – no students selling products or competing for donations. Fundraising should never be a burden on children. (example, catalogues/wrapping paper kids sold from in the early 2000’s)

Members of the Fundraising Committee should participate in community centric based fundraising training every year at the start of the school year.

• Community Centric Fundraising: https://communitycentricfundraising.org/ccf-principles/
• CCF Alignment Checklist: https://communitycentricfundraising.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/CCF_Aligned_Actions_List.pdf
• Building Movements, not organizations: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/building_movements_not_organizations

• Annual Giving Campaign – families are asked to directly contribute what they are able. Appreciation tokens should be small and personal (for example, thank you notes) not something that signals to the community “I gave and you didn’t”. All participants should be equally appreciated regardless of amount given.
  • No leaderboards
  • No participation tokens that signal someone gave to the community (for example no shirts/yard signs only if you gave)
  • Create the belief that investing in the PTA contributes toward the common good and personally benefits every student. Do NOT create a since of pity/charity toward any members of the community (for example, families in need, academically struggling students, special education students, multilingual students, etc.)
  • School based thermometer where everyone is working towards a common goal. No classroom or grade level competitions

• Event Based - Raffle/Bake Sale/Pie Night/Chilli Cookoff/etc.
  • Allows everyone to participate. Families that can’t give financially can donate time or talent
  • Raffle must have limit to number of tickets per person
  • Event MUST be free. Participation in fundraising should have free/low cost <$5 participation options
  • Any adult only events should provide free childcare option

• Student Led Fundraising - Move-a-Thon/Read-a-Thon
  • Must be free for every student to participate
  • No leaderboards or competition between students/classrooms
  • No awards based on participation in fundraising
  • School based thermometer where everyone is working towards a common goal. No student, classroom, or grade level competitions/comparisons.
  • Any business sponsors should align with schools values
  • Should be inclusive to all students' ability level and any limitations.

• Passive Fundraising
  • Low pressure comms
  • No incentives to give
  • If event based must be low cost/free option (for example class night out)

• Silent auction
  • Silent Auction Proposal for 2025-2026 school year
  • Must have rules in place that are signed off on by the PTA Exec and School BLT team (see list below)
  • Bidders and winners of items should be anonymous
  • If paddle raise it must be anonymous
  • Value of Items
    • All fair market values must be displayed
    • Must have low cost items (<$20) equally or more in number to those that are higher cost items (>$1,000)
  • Procurement
    • Must have free inclusive procurement parties
    • All community members must be able to participate, no gatekeeping on donation types. Everyone donations should be equally appreciated. Examples of ideas include: asking businesses to donate, donating a home cooked meal, volunteering time (gardening, ride to airport, etc.)
    • Donor’s of high value items should be anonymous. All donors should have the option to remain anonymous
    • https://www.schoolauction.net/resources/school-auction-guide/inclusive-procurement-strategies/ -this is a place to start, but not of these don’t align with where we want to be
    • Corporate donors should align with schools values
  • What items will be allowed/not allowed
    • No Alcohol
    • Student artwork? Class artwork? - open question
    • No in school student opportunities based on financial means. (example, principal for a day)
    • No extra time with teachers/staff based on financial means. (example, tickets to breakfast with teachers)
    • Yes to corporate/business donations/sponsorships
      
• Other ideas for future consideration
  • Block parties - possibly combine with silent auction
  • Night out events for students like bowling night or skating event
    • Must still be a free event
    • Focus should be on building community and not raising money
    • Open question - suggested donation for entry fees?

• Live Auctions such as Gala based brunches, dinners, soiree style fundraisers
• Paying entry fees or fees to support the event
• Grade level or classroom competitions