San Leandro Education Foundation Hosts Fundraising Parent Boot Camp

Ever run a bake sale at your child’s school, hoping to raise thousands? Dreamed that a “free” car wash would pay the way for a class field trip? Many parents agree that for years, fundraisers like carnivals and pancake breakfasts have been the reality since school budgets have never been enough to cover the costs of their students’ educational experience.

The San Leandro Education Foundation (SLED) announced this week that it would sponsor “Education Fundraising U”, a day of free seminars and workshops aimed to train parent volunteers how to raise more money for their schools.  As the leading foundation for the event, SLED will host up to 100 schools and several parent representatives at the San Leandro High School on Saturday, November 5th.

Based in the East Bay, Education Fundraising U assists schools in meeting the needs of fundraising for 21st century learning.  The group was founded on the belief that schools often have great talent within their parent-teacher organization, commonly known as PTO’s or PTA’s, but many parents lack fundraising and organizational experience.  EdFund U helps teach best practices and share ideas in an interactive seminar format.

“We know our events help schools raise more money,” said Mark Thornton of EdFund U.  “As parents, we all want the best for our students.  Helping schools raise more money enhances education.”  Thornton is a Danville parent and previously chaired the education fund at his child’s elementary school. 

The seminars and workshops will be led by industry experts who provide effective step-by-step fundraising methods.  Through group collaboration, parents will learn valuable, hands-on techniques to bring PTO fundraising to the next level:

• Integrating technology into “the classroom of the future”
• Holding a successful auction
• Board development and board management
• Maximizing event registration revenue
• Communicating to your school with transparency
• Getting your school’s share of matching corporate funds

“Education funding in California is in crisis – this we know,” said Deborah Cox, SLED President and the parent of a tenth-grader at SLHS.  “But running PTA’s and individual school foundations to make up the shortfall is no small task for parent volunteers.  SLED is proud of its partnership with EdFund U to ensure families are better educated and inspired and raise more dollars for their kids.”

Parents are encouraged to register their school in the Nov. 5th EdFund U seminars and recruit representatives to attend at no cost.  The free event will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Arts Education Center, located at 2200 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro.  Parent groups should to contact Mark Thornton at mark@edfundu.com or (415) 215-9371.  For more information, visit www.sledfund.org and www.edfundu.com.

SLED is an independent not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to raising resources and improving the lives and education of children in the San Leandro Unified School District.  Louis Heystek served on the San Leandro School Board for 8 years and is currently a member of the San Leandro Education Foundation Board of Directors.