Schools

Local Parent-Teacher Clubs Invited to Education Fundraising Boot Camp

San Leandro Education Foundation and Education Fundraising U hosts free parent fundraising workshops

By Mark Thornton

Ever work on an auction for 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 auctions 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 last 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 from Albany to Fremont and several parent representatives at the San Leandro High School Arts Education Center on Saturday, November 5.

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 PTOs or PTAs, but many parents
lack fundraising and organizational experience.

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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 Education Fundraising 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.

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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, live and online
  • Board development and board management
  • Maximizing fall and spring fund drives
  • 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 makeup 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 p.m. at the Arts Education Center, located at 2200 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro.

Parent groups can sign up at http://educationfundraisingueastbay.eventbrite.com

For more information, visit www.sledfund.org and www.edfundu.com.


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