Remember When? Media currently specializes in photography fundraising with preschools, elementary schools, churches and other non-profit groups. We serve all of Southern California. Please take a moment and review our programs. For more fundraising information (click here) Application, Agreement, Posters and Flyers: Adobe Acrobat Reader required: Download Acrobat Reader now! Application: (click here) Agreement: (click here) Flyers: (click here)

The first step in finding a fundraising program for your preschool is to determine your need. Is the fundraiser for something tangible or is it just an annual chore. Fundraising is much more effective if it is not part of the regular routine.

Assuming you have a tangible need; say new playground equipment, new cribs, or new whatever for expansion. You can now set a goal. For this example let's target $3000 for new outdoor play toys.

So now you have a set goal of $3,000 and tangible items. You can now sell your customers on the fundraiser. People are more apt to participate if little Johnny benefits directly.

Now with the many fundraising companies and ideas out there you need to determine what you are going to sell at your fundraiser. Are you going to sell gifts, magazines or candy, gift wrap, services or perhaps put on your own bake sale or spaghetti dinner?

All have their advantages and disadvantages.

Product sales:

Advantage: People love catalogs with pretty pictures. They also love foods, candies, cookie dough's, etc.

Disadvantage: Most products seem to be overpriced; sales are usually made to people with an existing relationship with the seller. Products can be bulky and may need to be refrigerated.

Services: example, photography.

Advantage: People love pictures of their little ones, especially if the photographer you pick does themed photography, where they dress up in cute clothes with nice props. Has the ability to create $$$ quickly for the organization. You can get a top notch photographer with portraits price equivalent or less than typical professional studio prices. Try to avoid big box studios in order to obtain a professional photographer. A professional photographer will spend much more time on pre-press work on the portraits.

Disadvantage: You need to make a room available to be used as a studio for 1 day and for another day to distribute and sell portrait packages. Big box photo-fundraisers tend to hire low paid employees with little or no photography experience.

Bake Sale / Dinner:

Advantage: People love to volunteer, feel needed and be apart of doing something good. It's great for the social aspect.

Disadvantage: Unless you plan on entertaining hundreds of people it will be difficult to reach you financial goal. It's expensive and time consuming.

When selecting an outside entity to help with your fundraising opportunities research each company thoroughly, get references. In addition when looking for a service like portrait photography look for an independent professional photographer who offers these services. Look for someone with an actual studio, not just working out of the trunk of a car. Most of all look for an entity that is successful and will be flexible enough to make your fundraising event successful.