School Fundraising Candy Sales Are Out, Events Are In

School fundraising events are becoming more popular due to school district bans on candy sales, parental concerns about door-to-door selling, and parental resistance despite increased funding needs. With fundraising product sales down 11% nationally in 2006, fundraiser events have helped fill the funding gap according to Kimberly Reynolds of the website FundraiserHelp.com.

RALEIGH, NC - 4/13/2007 - A new trend is emerging in school fundraising: overpriced candy is out and fun events are in. Fundraising product sales were down 11% overall in 2006, according to Vickie Mabry, Associate Director of the Association of Fund-Raising Distributors and Suppliers (AFRDS), including top sellers like refrigerated cookie dough and candy items.

Kimberly Reynolds of Fundraiser Help (http://www.FundraiserHelp.com) has noted a corresponding rise in popularity of school fundraising events, saying "Parents are tired of buying overpriced candy and want the schools to promote healthier choices for their children. We'rquote re seeing elementary schools doing more walkathon fundraisers and school carnivals, middle schools doing fun things like dance fundraisers and lip sync contests, and high schools raising funds with raffles and golf tournaments."

"Fundraising events are proven moneymakers that provide fun, family-based activities. Parents like that and are glad to help organize events instead of peddling products to family, friends and coworkers," Reynolds continued. "They appreciate the events as being for a good cause and make a concerted effort to attend and show their support."

While no organization tracks fundraising event revenue on a national basis, many schools report that events do indeed raise more funds. Total revenue may be the same or even less than what a product fundraiser produces, but costs are much lower, so fundraising events consistently produce a larger net profit than product sales. With parents today concerned about childhood obesity and life-threatening food allergies, a fundraiser event appeals to those seeking healthy fundraisers for their children.

Many school fundraising events combine multiple fundraiser activities by offering raffles, silent auctions, live auctions, and sales of food and beverages in conjunction with the actual event. Larger more elaborate events such as school carnival can justifiably charge admission to cover production costs and raise large sums with the extra activities. The net effect of a school-based event is increased fundraising capability in the guise of family entertainment and that's a big help when facing today's budget shortfalls.

Look for more fundraising events at your local schools next year and a whole lot less candy and gift wrap sales.

About Fundraiser Help

Fundraiser Help provides how-to advice on fundraising product sales and dozens of ideas for fundraising events. The website has been referenced by premier news organizations such as CNN and CBS News, where it was recently featured in a story titled Parents Balk At School Fundraising.

For more information on school fundraisers and fundraising event ideas, visit FundraiserHelp.com

Contact Kimberly Reynolds for more insights into this topic.
Direct line: (919) 870-8889

Other helpful information regarding this topic can be found at: http://www.FundraiserHelp.com

For More Information Contact:

Fundraiser Help
708 Lanham Place
Raleigh, NC 27615

This release was published on openPR.