Recycle used cell phones.
Schools can raise money for field trips numerous ways besides just asking students to sell something. In fact, with a little creativity, students and faculty can provide services or an entertaining event to the community to raise more than enough money for their needs. Many of these fundraising ideas require very little money to execute.
Recycling Effort
Providing a specialized service to the community such as recycling is a great way to raise funds for a field trip. Students, parents and faculty may all participate, and the financial returns can be quite large. Funding Factory, an online fundraising program, allows educational and nonprofit organizations to earn money by sending in used cell phones and ink cartridges via its fundraising-through-recycling program. Ecophones, a similar fundraising company, also buys used cell phones and ink cartridges from schools. It offers up to $300 per phone and $5 per cartridge. With enough donations, you could raise plenty of money for a field trip.
Classic Car Wash
A car wash, an often-used fundraiser, is quite effective in raising money for field trips. However, it can be made even more lucrative by transforming it into a "classic" car wash for antique cars only. Contact local classic car clubs, groups or dealers and ask if they'd be willing to bring some of their cars to the location for a day. Park the cars around the lot where you'll be performing the car wash to create a visual impact and encourage other classic car owners to drop in. Plan ahead for this event and spread the word as much as possible. You may end up receiving more donations than you anticipated from classic car buffs.
Celebrity Fundraisers
Often, local celebrities can bring in hefty donations from members of the community. However, the fundraiser will have to appeal to everyone to make money. Many schools have hosted dinners in which local celebrities, district employees, teachers and administrators wait tables at a restaurant or school. The tips these prominent individuals receive are added to the funds for the field trip. Door prizes and live music can make for a more festive atmosphere to draw in more people. Selling raffle tickets for a donated prize could raise even more money.
Adult Prom
An "adult prom" fundraiser allows parents and teachers to relive their teenage memories. High school students can serve as chaperones for a night that may consist of dinner, dancing, raffles or auctions, and electing prom king and queen. If the school is on a budget, the adult prom can be held the night after the high school prom to use the same decorations. If alcohol will be served, however, the prom must be held away from school grounds with plenty of designated drivers. Sell tickets at a discount for couples to encourage more parents to attend.
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