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Reports have shown that parents in low-income areas are parting with the little money they have at fundraisers just to keep their local schools running.
A State of Our Schools report found that up to 70% of principals consider fundraising to be “very important”, with 52% saying that a large portion of fundraising money goes towards “basic maintenance” of their schools.
Recognising the financial strain schools are under, FundIt Fundraising has launched a campaign centred around student health and well-being.
The company recently teamed up with German electronics manufacturer, Blaupunkt, to create a way for fundraising to boost student health and well-being.
FundIt Fundraising provides schools and organisations with carry packs, containing 15 packs of 5 high-quality Blaupunkt batteries which are tailored in a way that allows schools to reclaim every dollar they contribute to the campaign.
Phillie Forsyth, FundIt Fundraising’s retail manager, told The Educator that the company prides itself on its 100% profit margin to school and organisations.
“Any money that schools put into the fundraising campaign is doubled,” Forsyth said.
“We provide the schools with 100% profit for their cause. This is a great way to relieve the pressure on parent donations and other obligated payments towards schools.”
Forsyth encouraged schools to try the company out, adding there is no minimum or maximum order.
“We’re flexible in terms of anything they don’t sell, they can send it straight back.”
Forsyth said that to ensure the process doesn’t create a financial burden on school budgets, nothing is paid for 30 days.
“This way, principals are able to raise funds for their schools before having to pay for the product,” she said.
“We do not expect payment until the fundraising campaign has been completed, the money has been counted, the school has taken their profit which makes it easy for low decile schools with low budgets.
“We are here to assist and give demonstrations on ways to sell the boxes, so the children feel confident and the school gets the best outcome.”
Forsyth said one factor that makes the company stand out in the K-12 fundraising space is that there are no surveys involved, and that the company is able to interact and get involved with children.
“It’s not just about selling batteries to make a profit for the school, it’s about proving that fundraising can be fun, healthy and very beneficial for the school themselves,” Forsyth said.
“We promote a healthy lifestyle by steering away from the traditional method of selling confectionary and junk food – that is something we want to be remembered for.”
Forsyth said the fundraising campaign focuses on “high energy and healthy kids”.
“This is reflected by our products and the gifts we give away to participants who do well in the campaign,” she said.
As part of its campaign to boost student health, FundIt Fundraising provides sports balls and drink bottles as prizes to students.
“We have come up with a product which every household needs and wants to buy,” Forsyth said.
“This is an alternative to parents being forced to pay for the box their child sneakily eats, which then result in mood swings and sugar highs, which every parent wants to avoid.