Raising Money for Technology in the Classroom

[Elissa]

For those of you whose schools have recently acquired technology (i.e. smartboards, multimedia projectors, laptops, etc), were any of these paid for by parent-generated funds, rather than through school funds.

We have a matching grant promised in order to acquire a "mobile lab" with laptops but the funds need to be parent generated.
What are some of the creative ways your school has used to generate excitement about a program, or creative ways to raise money for technology programs (besides bake sales)?

[MissTeach]

A few years ago, a group of parents had a dinner and an auction. They went to businesses and got the dinner donated as well as the auction items. They even auctioned a car! They raised enough money for an elaborate computer lab for one of our elementary schools.

[RazzleDazzle]

I think the school I am presently wrote grants for additional funding on top of the funding they get from the school board who "prioritized" technology on top of other stuff like updated textbooks....go figure. They think the technology will fill in the gaps at the base level that most of the students have...

[Deb]

Much of our technology is purchased through a "reward" type program with a regional grocery store chain.

Previously, we collected receipts and submitted them to the school. The school sent the receipts to the company and received a check which was used to purchase computers.

This year, parents only had to register their marketing data collection card (you know those irritating cards that you have to have at the supermarket to get the sale price) and the "points" on that card accumulate for the designated school.

[Elissa]

Both the dinner auction and grocery rewards program are quite creative ideas. I like the idea of getting local businesses involved in school fundraisers. Thanks for the ideas!

[smithmt]

you could always rob a bank. A district corporate sponsor is also an idea. especially if you are in a high school setting. You could have little plastic footballs printed with their logo and have the cheerleaders throw them into the stadium, they could have a plaque posted in their business stating that they sponsor your school (this is my favorite one) you spend 25 bucks and they give you... one Promethean/Smart board, etc.

[DarrenB]

Our school created a dedicated committee who applied for the IMPACT grant- and won! It's been truly transformative for our school.