Fundraising & Local Partnerships

Fundraising and Local Partnerships

Many charter schools are started by community-based, grassroots organizations that have a desire to offer exceptional education to students. Because a sense of purpose to help children often already exists within the community, the community itself is great place to turn for donations of money, goods, and services.   

Marketing and fundraising go hand in hand.  Think about how you will talk about your school and which groups and individuals you will target. Check out Creating a Marketing Plan for ideas to get started. Many of those techniques are employed in fundraising so it’s important to understand those marketing concepts.

Types of Donations Cash Donations: First and foremost, charter schools need funding.  They need cash donations to support everything from equipment to building permits to software.  Some individuals are more comfortable donating money.  The more specific you can be about what that money will pay for, the more tangible their donations will feel.  Knowing that cash will help pay for a text book, a microscope, software licenses, or a library cart allows donors to understand the importance of their gift.  Ensure you have a plan to thank and recognize donations—no matter what amount.  Goods & Services: Other individuals or businesses may be interested in making a donation of good and services, rather than cash.  Make a wish list that details the type and number of items that you need, such as paint and school supplies, light bulbs, paper products, and even a storage facility to house items as they are donated.  If you have a website, post the list and cross off items as they are received—and be sure to publicly thank the donors.  The operation of your schools can be greatly enhanced by the time and talent contributed by volunteers: plumbers, electricians, accountants, and others.  Review your contacts to get referrals, and ask about reduced-fee services.  Ensure that jobs that require licensing and permits are carried out by certified professionals. Types of Donors Religious Groups and Faith-Based Organizations:  The churches, temples, mosques, and faith-based organizations within your school area are excellent  places to turn for support.  Regardless of your school's beliefs, your mission to educate the community’s children provides the common ground to create a connection.  If one of your current supporters has a relationship with a particular group, ask that person for an introduction.  Otherwise, consider a personal letter, email, or visit with the group’s leaders.  You can ask them for a donation from their group or request permission to address their membership.  Speak at a formal meeting, host a potluck, chat with members during fellowship, or exhibit at an event.  Remember that some people will not be prepared to donate on the spot.  Provide donation envelopes, information about your school, and a sign-up sheet to gather the names, emails, and addresses to contact them for follow up.  Local Businesses: If local businesses don’t have altruistic reasons to help improve their community, they will have economic reasons to do so.  A great school can bring business to an area that might not otherwise draw patrons like working parents picking up their kids after school.  Use your enrollment figures to estimate expected increases in area traffic, and consider creating a preferred donor program. (See Creating a Marketing Plan.)  Businesses need credit for their community support, and showing them how you will publicize their involvement creates additional incentive for their donations.  National Businesses: Make a list of the businesses near your school that are local franchises of national chains.  Visit their corporate websites and look for links with keywords like foundation, community, giving, give back, and others.  Many national retailers, for example, support education through grants, in-kind donations, and other methods.  If the business makes annual awards and you’ve missed the current deadline, put next year's dates on your calendar, and make plans to apply in the future.  Private Individuals: Identify individuals from your community who have great success stories.  Reach out to those people who perhaps have overcome the same educational obstacles as the students your school serves.  Individuals who grew up in the area, whether they are still living in the neighborhood or not, probably still have emotional ties to the community and may be interested in having an opportunity to give back.