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  • 1.  Fundraising

    Posted 20 days ago

    Hi Everyone

    I am sure we are very much in the same boat, but does anyone have any great ideas for fundraisers?  Selling things has not gotten us far and we can't do a dinner theater or cabaret type thing - there is no more time to rent our school.  I am really running out of options. 

    Thanks

    Michelle



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    Michelle Meyer
    Clarksburg High School
    MD
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  • 2.  RE: Fundraising

    Posted 19 days ago

    Honestly, just ask people for money. A simple fundraising drive. Just identify a few things you're raising money for, identify how much you want to raise...and then have students ask friends and family.  Maybe do letter writing, emails, video testimonials, etc...rather than all the fuss and overhead of selling things or hosting events, just tell people you need money. You'll be surprised at how much you can raise just by asking.



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    Blake Wilson
    Theatre Arts Director
    Orange High School
    NC
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Fundraising

    Posted 19 days ago

    We just did a fundraiser through BookTix--our ticketing platform.  We created a Donation page and link and raised over $1200 for our costume closet renovation.  So easy.  Our Boosters sent our emails and posted on social media.  We did it in conjunction with our fall play so people buying tickets could see it and donate easily.  Highly recommend!



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    Laura Russo
    Teacher/Director of Theatre Arts
    Chatham High School
    NJ
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Fundraising

    Posted 18 days ago

    There are companies like Blast Athletics who do what Blake is suggesting.  Students can enter emails and cell numbers and the company "blasts" with video message and people can donate easily electronically.  



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    Fabio Stephens
    Theater Director
    Glendora High School
    CA
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Fundraising

    Posted 17 days ago

    Here's a fundraiser that I pull out every once in a while because it is super easy, only lasts one day and is theatrical--a Mime-a-thon. For one school day, the kids must only use mime.  Each student collects supporters who sponsor them per hour, for an 8-hour school day. Their friends can sponsor them for small amounts, like 50 cents or a dollar per hour, while parents, grandparents, etc. can sponsor for larger amounts. With little effort, each student can raise a few hundred dollars.  It lasts one day, and is good advertising for the program.

    The kids dress as mimes and do make-up.  Imagine having 100 mimes on campus! They are allowed to speak in class if it is required as part of their classwork, so it doesn't irritate teachers. Money is all collected up front, assuming the mime will carry through. I create sponsorship forms and give prizes for most money raised, most sponsors, etc. That's it. Done. 

    Second idea--a now retired colleague of mine used to have enormous success with a dodge ball tournament. Student and faculty teams would sign up. I have her paperwork somewhere if you are interested in the structure, or I can put you in touch with her. 



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    James Thomas Bailey
    Director of Theatre Arts
    Justin-Siena HS, Napa CA
    Artistic Director, CSz Los Angeles
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Fundraising

    Posted 17 days ago

    I would assume you've already sold space in your play bills or sold shout outs at intermission.  Those don't bring in a ton of money, but every little bit helps.  

    One suggestion would be to partner with a nearby elementary school (or middle school) and adopt them as a group.  How does this bring in money?  Find ways to cast the younger kids as extras in a scene here or there. Or, invite them to perform a small pre-show as a group to any of your already scheduled performances. This brings in extra box office money because these parents will come and pay money to see their kiddos perform at a bigger venue.  As an added bonus, it is a feeder program for your program.  

    My middle school troupe performed as extra chimney sweeps in a high school production of Mary Poppins for the step in time number. Those parents went and saw those kids at every performance at the high school.  Easily added an extra $200 each performance and approximately $1000 for the run of the show. 



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    Amy MacCord
    Professional Learning Specialist
    Former Theatre Teacher
    Lover of the Arts
    Fl
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Fundraising

    Posted 17 days ago

    Short term/time/cost fundraiser: Improv competitions (like TheatreSports, Improv Olympics, etc.). Charge participants, like running races do; charge audience members to watch; sell concessions at intermission. No tech to set up. No rehearsal time (unless you want). We did this for many years "in between" major productions. Even had a great night performing on a snow bank when the school was evacuated mid-event (someone had pulled a fire alarm). Get in touch if you'd like more info (or let's talk about it at the next https://ThEd.network online meetup Dec 28). Compete against other schools. Give a trophy to travel to the winning school (so the principal thinks something important happened) to bring back to your next one. Enjoy!

    Long term fundraiser: Drama Camp for younger kids (elementary/MS) with your students as the counselors. This can be an afternoon, a full day, a vacation week, or most of the summer. Acting, stage makeup, costuming, stage combat (w someone qualified!!), singing -- and teaching a dance routine from one of your shows (best if it's one soon to be performed!). This can raise thousands of dollars.



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    Douglas "Chip" Rome
    Theatre Consultant
    Educational Stages
    Burke VA
    http://EducationalStages.com
    https://bit.ly/RWTEOview
    https://bit.ly/eTeachTech
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Fundraising

    Posted 7 days ago

    We have worked with the athletic department to do "Cow Plop Bingo." The way this works is that you divide the football field up into squares ( you can go with 5yd by 5yd blocks gets you about 200 blocks, 5yd by 5 yd) and sell each block for $25 and make $5,000; You get a farmer to loan you a cow for the afternoon and whichever block he poops in wins. Typically, we will get the prize(s) donated by sponsors. Additionally, we will have sponsors donate cash to the event (in lieu of a marketing/sponsorship re: not part of a prize). This event can be a real cash cow, pun intended.



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    Michael Butertz
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    Original Message


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