Raising Money for High School club

[fencingfish]

Anybody have any experience trying to do a fund
raising for equipment in a high school fencing club?

We've got about 20 students in a high school that has
to pay the PTA back for a loan to buy equipment.
Anybody have any ideas for raising $$

We wondered if we could sell logo space on jackets.
Would this violate any USFA rules?

[swordsen]

You would have better luck and less hassle selling T-shirts.

[leia]

hmm,
our school fencing group has the same problem
well, cept we dont have to pay back a loan, we just need funds..
hmm, all that i, know so far that we have done is each fencer has topay a certain amount of money before the school competiotion season starts..
that and we are scabbing off the rich private school near us for equiptment..

[lochinvar]

Originally posted by fencingfish
We wondered if we could sell logo space on jackets.
Would this violate any USFA rules?

Check the USFA rules. There's a whole section titled "Publicity Policy" that covers what kind of "advertising" you can wear and where you can wear it--size, number, placement, etc.

You can find the rules at www.usfencing.org under the sidebar menu "Info for members/forms" (not under 'documents', as you might expect...).

As for fund-raising, the only things that come to mind are the things we used to do when my boys were in choir and theater--car washes, running concessions at local events (if you can get that gig), candy/pizza/flower sales, and the like. Selling T-shirts, which was mentioned above, also is a nice fund-raiser if you have the market for it.

There really aren't any new ideas in fund-raising that I know of.

[The0ne]

The way my club does it, we go to bussinesses, and ask for a $25 contribution, for which they get an add in the program of our biggest tournament, but that's just extra, most bussinesses don't have a problem contributing $25, because for many it's a very small amount, but if you go to alot of bussinesses, it can add up!!!

[Mergs]

You can also go the more traditional route of car washes, candy sales, etc. I think that if you go to the PTA, they may have some suggestions, too. You could also put on a demo with a donations can out front, like street performers, and see how much you can get that way as well as recruiting for your club!

Good luck

[fencingfish]

Thanks for the replies all good ideas.

You may want to know about one of mine that I've
voiced.

www.cafepress.com is a t-shirt, coffee cup, mousepad, etc.
fulfillment company. You can set up a shop, upload pictures
and it appears on the items. Very cool and cost effective.
No layout of funds for t-shirts and the like.

[hscoach]

Ask the PTA if you could offer a special night of adult intorduction to fencing for a price or donation. Many parents have an interest and you could have your team help. This would be pure profit and you might get some bigger donations if you beg the right way.

[hscoach]

forgot to mention have the adults do footwork drills and bladework. Maybe have some of your fencers do a quick demonstration or fence lightly against the adults Also let the adults know how expensive it is to start up a team.

[fencingfish]

I like that. Maybe it would get it into the mainstream a little faster and get them a coach. Great idea.

[hscoach]

Ask all level PTA parents. K thru 12. You can talk up the younger grades and tell them how strong the program can be when their children reach the high school level. Also, make a little handout telling them explaining a little about fencing, how safe it is, that it is a Division I college sport, how they can donate more money to the club, give them the benefits of fencing and anything else you can think about. If your school or state allows you can have a 50/50 or some kind of raffle at the PTA night. I have raffled off a free lesson or two for a child or adult.

[westcoastsabre]

fencing fish, what high school is this? depending on where you are you might be able to sweet talk some local fencers to help you out.