Area schools think creatively for raising funds

by Sandra Miller
Back Bay Sun

The economy may be decimating a lot of local fundraisers, but area schools planning their April fundraisers have the best reason in the world on why area residents are opening up their wallets: their kids’ future.
Still, many fundraisers are noticing a little less coming in this year, since a lot of families have been hurt by the economy, and they are looking to their private schools for financial aid.
As a result, many schools are getting creative.
“We’re definitely doing more with less this year,” said Kingsley Montessori School parent Tony Tjan, who is co-chair of the Kingsley’s April 25’s “Because Childhood Calls Us” gala and scholarship, to be held at the Artists for Humanity EpiCenter in South Boston. The Kingsley event marks a few milestones this year, including the school’s 70th anniversary, the 90th birthday of Lowell Kingsley, son of the founder, and Renee DuChainey-Farkes' 10th anniversary as head of school.
It’s also a year that has them a little worried about raising funds. Tjan said that in anticipation of difficult economic times, Kingsley Montessori School has changed its approach to its fundraising in three ways: doing more with less, seeking contributions earlier, and reminding donors of the purpose of why they need to raise money.
“We have some very generous parents within the school that either have restaurants or access to restaurants,” said Tjan. They’re also planning a simpler menu to stretch dollars while providing a tasty meal, including serving macaroni and cheese with truffle oil. “It’s good and fun and simple, something that everyone will enjoy,” he said, “and it won’t cost as much as what is on a more traditional menu.”
Most schools raise money through a combination of local sponsorships, ticket sales, raffle tickets, and auctioned items donated by parents’ businesses. The bids for auctions and raffles include sports tickets, entertainment offerings, even artwork and baskets of goodies the students and their teachers created.
In past years, many schools were able to trust that most parents would come through with funds, even up to the last minute for tickets and for auctions. No more. Now, gala organizers are trying to get the money before the event occurs, with ticket sales and sponsorships and raffle tickets. “The auctions on the night of the event traditionally make up two-thirds of the proceeds,” said Tjan. “This year, we’re trying hard to flip that around by being prudent, again with the anticipation we may not be able to raise as much the night of the event.” As a result, at Kingsley they are up 20 percent from the same time last year, although they are still below their goal.
“We hope to gross $150,000 this year,” said Tjan. “I think that’s at best a stretch goal. I think a more prudent measure is 20 percent more than last year’s net. If we can reach that, it’ll be like getting a triple, rather than a home run.”
Which is great, compared to many other nonprofits that report net proceeds are down by almost 50 percent lately, said DuChainey-Farkes.
"We are fortunate to have extremely committed and creative chairs in Tony Tjan and Darla Soukas, who have really been able to build upon the successes of last year's chairs, Lee Doyle and Marni Katz," she said.
The other part of the increased push to the donor community is articulating why the money is needed in the first place.
“This is where virtually all of our financial aid comes from,” said Tjan, noting that Kingsley doesn’t have an endowment. “We want to accomplish a great community building event, and tell everyone how critical this is for existing families and incoming ones. Across the board, the need is greater than ever.”
The Commonwealth School reports success in hitting up current families and alumni with its annual fund drive so far, running about even from what they raised this time last year. The annual fund accounts for more than 10 percent of the school’s overall budget.
An anonymous family is also promising to match each donation since January 26 with an additional $100, a challenge that was met by 11 families so far.
With just two months until the June 30 fiscal year closes, they have reached 80 percent of its goal – a whopping $480,000 so far.
“These numbers indicate the strong support we have from all of our constituents, but we need hundreds more gifts at every level to raise the last $120,000,” said school spokesperson Tristan Davies. “In our small community, each contribution makes a significant difference.”
In addition, a student dance-a-thon in February raised about $1,100 for Neighborhood Action, where students prepare meals for the homeless.
The tiny Learning Project on Marlborough Street is hosting an April 4th “April in Paris” themed spring auction at the Benjamin Franklin Institute in the South End. “We’re anticipating a great night,” said Director of School Advancement Andy Gallagher. Their goal is to raise $60,000 for scholarships and operating budget, and so far they’ve raised $50,000. Part of their success is gathering “useful” prizes. “With the tough economy, I think people just aren’t looking to buy extra things, so we’re trying to find what people need or want, like gift certificates to restaurants and vacations - things people will do anyway.”
Attendance numbers are down, 150 this year so far, compared to 170 last year, although they are hoping for a last-minute wave. To earn more, they’re trading the sit-down dinner for appetizers and desserts, catered by Chez Henri in Cambridge, and also with a raw bar donated by parents who own Neptune Oyster.
At the Advent School, one of the parents organizing its March 28th China-themed auction at the Hotel Marlowe is a local business owner who knows how to solicit gift certificates and sponsorships.
Casandra McIntyre, owner of Rugg Road, is in her third year of raising money for the school, where her daughter, second-grader Lillian, has been going since pre-school. McIntyre is co-chair with fellow mom Diane Woolf.
The Advent’s goal is $125,000, up from last year’s $120,000, to raise money for financial aid, faculty travel, special curricular projects and field trips, and other program enhancements.
The event also includes a cocktail hour and live and silent auctions that, in the past, donated auction items have included vacations in Vermont, Disney World, and Colorado, Red Sox tickets, and local gift certificates. One of the more popular auction items are art projects created by students. Organizers were able to secure some donated items, such as Harpoon supplying the event’s beer.
The North End’s St. John School is hosting an April 4 fundraiser, held at the Coast Guard base, free of charge, to help keep costs low for families. Their coffers are strong, so they were able to keep tuition from going up this year. Financial aid for Catholic school students in general is down, according to the Catholic Schools Foundation, while applications for aid are up.
Even parents at public schools are hosting April fundraisers to keep its programs protected from slashed budgets. The Eliot School in the North End will hold an Evening for Education on April 29 at Monica's Restaurant in the North End, a restaurant owned by Jorge Mendoza who has two children who attend the Eliot school. The school is also hosting another fundraiser dinner June 6 at Tecce's. Proceeds will help support its Italian Language program, technology such as white boards, field trips, and a nonprofit data analyst to create academic action plans for students. The school’s Family Council leaders, Denise Clancy and Fred White, aren’t sure what’s going to happen with their budget, but they want to ensure the future of certain programs that make them love what the Eliot is doing for their children.
“The budget is a movable feast at the moment,” said Boston Public Schools spokesperson Chris Horan, who added the superintendent of schools is presenting the budget this Wednesday to the School Committee.