Categories
Parent Resources

How we got here: District Wide Fundraising

With all of the turbulence of the past few years, it seems that a lot of the knowledge about ‘How we got here’ has been lost. Many long time families have had kids move on to high school and that includes most of the past LEAP board members.

So, I thought it may be helpful to start a series of posts about the way we do things now and the path that lead us here.

Way back, prior to 2017, each program in the Lagunitas School District would raise money for themselves and there was very little crossover. Each program had its annual fundraiser:

  • Montessori – The Fall Fest
  • Middle School – Bingo Night
  • Open – Spaghetti Dinner

Waldorf probably had a fundraiser, too, but I don’t recall what that was. LEAP also had one main fundraiser a year, Valley Visions.

There was something we called the ‘Handshake Agreement’ where each program agreed to have only one fundraiser a year each. The handshake agreement came about because the programs kept throwing fundraisers throughout the year and the parents, kids, vendors, donors, etc… all got sick of being asked for more and more and more. More money, more time, more volunteering, more donations… it really pitted the programs against one another.

During the recession that started around 2008, school budgets were on the chopping block. Property tax revenue fell as house values were being reassessed and taxed at a lower rate, and our district relies heavily on our property taxes. So, to offset these budget cuts, the school board made the difficult decision to cut a significant chunk of funding that had been going to the programs. The amount cut was $25,000 per program. Whoa, now in the face of a recession the programs were going to have to raise $25k more per year per program to keep up our budgets.

As you can imagine, the scramble for funds became more fierce. At the same time, more families were relying on two incomes to make ends meet so volunteerism was falling. In each program there was a small group of parents who took on the lion’s share of fundraising work, and we were getting burned out.

At that time, LEAP was mostly administering fundraising that the programs did on their own. LEAP ran pledge and distributed those funds. LEAP hosted Valley Visions which changed shape over the years but was geared towards getting parents together for some food, booze and (maybe) dancing. LEAP also organized the district wide read-a-thon and book faire.

Several of the program fundraising heavy weights came together on the LEAP board and it seemed obvious that we should pool our resources when it came to fundraising effort. So, the idea of district wide fundraising was floated.

Around that time, our programs really began to struggle with fundraising and budget cuts. One program was flush, another barely scraped by and another was in the hole. LEAP worked with the program parent groups to work out a way that all three programs (Waldorf had closed by then) would be OK for that year at least. Programs shared money and resources, so drastic cuts were avoided. For 2017, at least.

Most importantly, during this difficult time, we realized that all children in the district deserved support regardless of program. We couldn’t move forward with a system that would leave kids without educational enrichment just because of a poor fundraising year.

It became apparent to the people who were doing most of the heavy lifting for fundraising at the time, we would all do better if we worked together. We agreed to consolidate our asking of money from donors (much to Good Earth’s joy, I’m sure) by creating our unified sponsorship program. We agreed to ask all district parents to pledge money instead of leaving it up to programs to solicit for themselves. We agreed that LEAP would over see all fundraisers (the Winter Cafe is an exception since it is run by the kids and the money entirely passes through, not going to the program).

In the years since unified fundraising began, the average annual revenue has been on the upswing (with the exception of the 2020-2021 school year for obvious reasons).

You may have noticed new LEAP banners and signs, a new logo and generally a swell of LEAP activity over the past several months. This is due to a wonderful group of new LEAP board members who are devoted to all the best aspects of our school district! The energy is palpable and the creativity is bubbling at every turn. If you want to be a part of taking our district into the future, please come to one of LEAP’s monthly zoom meetings, help out with an event, or even join the LEAP board.

~ James Sanders, LEAP board member, parent, and Lagunitas School Board Trustee

Categories
Featured Fundraising Ways to Give

Farm Fresh to You Donates 10% to LEAP! $7661 last year

We are happy to announce that Farm Fresh to You will now deliver personalized organic produce boxes to the Valley!  All boxes go to the community center and you can swing by and pick your box up there.  For now, there is no delivery to homes in the Valley. Here are the signup instructions :

1. You can always call Neily if you want any help or explanation – Neily (916) 524-0175

2. Go to www.farmfreshtoyou.com

3. Make sure to choose Office (if in SGV)

4. Zip code 94963

5. Pick the box that works for you: mixed fruit and veggie regular size is perfect for 2 – 4 people (it will last 7 days because it is brought Fresh) this is the most popular

6. Enter your Email and create a password

7. Delivery address: 6350 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, company name: San Geronimo Community Center (don’t worry about the Note that says we could not find this address in red)

8. Scroll all the way down – please don’t forget this part – put Promo Code: SGV hit submit

9. Then go up and hit next after filling out the name phone number

10. Then put in your payment details

11. Review and agree and place the order.

You pick it or skip it – no commitment just skip the weeks you don’t want it no fees. Pick what you want if you do want it.

More of a visual learner?  Here’s the video version of how to sign up for Farm Fresh to You:

Categories
Featured Fundraising

2017 Valley Visions

Get your disco on at Valley Visions, LEAP’s primary annual fundraiser, The theme this year is Studio 54, so feather that hair, shine those sparkles and get ready to get down.

Categories
Fundraising

Time to Prep for Valley Visions

Our biggest Fundraiser that gives so much to every program, which means we are looking for support from every program!

Specifically, we are hoping:

  • You will return to the solicitors team.
  • For all of us to engage new families that we think would be great at this job.
  • To establish a large group to make calls to local businesses that have supported us in the past for the online auction.

 How it works:

  • The donors already exist in our data base.
  • Each solicitor ONLY has a few donors on their lists to call and confirm their support.
  • The calls will be made after a letter has already been sent by LEAP.
  • Most of the donors are familiar with our program and are so willing to help!
  • Instructions on how to log into and enter the item on the website will be sent to you once you accept the invitation.
  • LEAP has a support team in place to answer any questions you may have.

 

 I personally took on a list for the 3rd year and can tell you that calling and/or emailing 10 businesses did not take much time. It made a HUGE difference to the auction and what it brought in financially!

 If working the school fundraising events on weekends or during the week is not a possibility due to your work hours, this is a great way to donate your time from the comfort of your home, on your own schedule.

 Please consider donating this small amount of time to call a few donors. It is a huge reward for our Programs for very little effort!

 If you know of anyone who is great behind the scenes, we would love to hear from them or get their contact info.

IF YOU OWN, WORK FOR, OR KNOW OF A BUSINESS THAT MIGHT PROVIDE A GREAT AUCTION ITEM, PLEASE LET US KNOW! 

Email gabi_healy@yahooo.com,  titiantracy@yahoo.com, or call 415-488-4118 ex 235 if you are willing to join the ranks.

 Many Thanks in advance for your time and efforts,

The LEAP Board