How to Get ALL Parents Involved in Fundraising

Family is an integral piece to a solid and successful fundraiser. As a family owned and operated business, we understand the support that family can provide when you are taking on a new endeavor - whether that be opening your own business or your child starting a new fundraiser with their school.

It is our prerogative to make every family feel involved in their school’s fundraiser. Schools in the United States are becoming increasingly diverse. While this provides children with great opportunities to learn about other cultures, it can be difficult for schools to get families of all cultures involved in fundraising because of language and cultural barriers.

Our dream is to make it easy for all parents to get involved with their child’s fundraiser.

To help reach this goal, we’ve hired José Lopez as a bilingual project consultant to bridge the gap. José’s roots in Mexico and US cities with cultural diversity aids in the fundraising process for families that are not native English speakers.

José pictured in the center with co-worker, Richie

José Lopez has been working with Paragon Promotions since July. Initially hired as a Spanish translator, José’s position quickly evolved into a bilingual project consultant. He works to get hispanic families, and families of all cultures, involved by reaching out and explaining the fundraising process on a more personal level. He loves “providing new and different perspectives” to Paragon’s methodology and “opening eyes to new initiatives.”

José has a passion for helping people and volunteering. He also works in the community to help people with immigration resources and has previously donated his time as a Spanish translator to low-income based clinics.

José is a long-time family friend of Tom and Diane Stone, Paragon’s founders. He works with the planning and execution of kick-off events and open houses, as well as sales. When asked what his favorite part about fundraising is, he said “going out and getting them excited!”

We are thrilled to have José on board. He brings positivity, fun, and most importantly, the kids love him!

José pictured left wearing the "Duck Dynasty" beard during our "Beard for a Day" fundraising contest.

What's With the Beards?

Sturgis Elementary School Principal

Fundraising is hard. Aside from the obvious challenges of asking people to spend their money, finding a solid group of helpers can be tough. Sure, there are some folks out there willing to pitch in out of the goodness of their hearts, but frankly, many people need some kind of reward.

And that is why the majority of fundraisers involve an incentive program.

Now most times, fundraisers offer a grand prize to whoever sells the most stuff. Those in second or third might also walk away with a gift. There are even fundraisers that put every sellers name into a prize drawing.

So, prizes are a proven method for drumming up fundraising support, but they’re not the only option. Fun events are also effective ­ and depending on the scenario, can be even more beneficial.

Mr. Durant, Home School Liaison at North Wayne Elementary School

For an example, we’ll turn to an ultra­popular Paragon event. We were looking for a fun, unique way to increase participation in our school fundraisers, so Paragon Promotions and faculty members from various schools are teaming up for “Beard for a Day.” It’s pretty simple; if 75% of students participate in the fundraiser, chosen faculty members agree to wear the "Duck Dynasty" beard for an entire day. This one has been a smash hit with students!

Hazelwood Elementary School Principal

Bottom line ­ the more creative the incentive, the more likely students and faculty will be motivated to join in. And, unlike prizes, events let every participant reap the rewards, rather than just a small, exclusive group of people.

As the fundraiser goes on, don’t forget to remind participants that their hard work will pay off. Consider starting with a kick­off event, and follow that up with announcements and progress reports. That way, everyone can see their participation in action.

Tad Mott, Principal of North Livingston Elementary

So there you have it. If you’re planning a fundraiser for your organization, we strongly urge you to consider incentivizing the process; just be sure to lock in on one that fits your group best! Need help? That’s what we’re here for. Leave us a comment and tell us about your fundraising plans!

Lisa Speidel, Assistant Principal for Brown Elementary

Motivate Your Kids with the "Spring Cleaning" Fundraiser

It’s that time of year again -- the time for spring cleaning! While having a clean house is a refreshing feeling, parents are usually the ones who end up getting stuck with most of the work. What if you could motivate your child or children help you?

To motivate your children to help with tidying up the house, implement a “Spring Cleaning Fundraiser” at your child’s school. This will require a group of parents who want to give back to their school community, teach their children the value of helping around the house, and lessen their own cleaning responsibilities.

Every classroom teacher sends a letter home with their students. This letter will introduce the fundraiser to the parents: parents pay their kids to do household chores, but the money goes directly to a classroom (or entire school) purchase. Students could raise money for a new playground equipment, new musical instruments, or a new classroom pet!

When the kids hand their parents the letter, they’ll think they’re informing their parents for the first time. The catch is that your school’s PTO or PTA can agree upon a dollar-per-chore amount beforehand and inform all parents. For example, kids will earn $1.00 for their school each time they help clean the dishes after dinner.

Cleaning ideas include:

· Dusting
· Sweeping
· Making beds
· Watering the plants
· Doing dishes
· Etc.

You, as a parent, can explain to your child the importance of teamwork and responsibility. Cleaning as a whole family will make it more fun for your child. You could even set a timer for a chore that’s more work; and if they do it in a certain amount of time, you will give them more money.

This fundraiser can last for a week, a month, or a semester -- it depends on how high of a goal your school wants to set.

Although the money isn’t specifically for them, keep reminding your children that they are putting the money they earn to a good cause. At the end of the fundraiser, the teachers will give each student who participated a certificate of excellence or hard work.

Happy cleaning!

Cake Boss Knows Best

Buddy AKA "The Cake Boss" is one of the most famous cake decorators in the country and now his products are featured with Paragon Promotions Fundraising. Famously known from TLC’s The Cake Boss, Buddy and his crew make cakes for literally every occasion. Many of his cakes are insanely beautiful while the others are beautifully insane.

Here eight amazing out-of-this-world Cake Boss cakes: 

The “Bumblebee” Transformers Cake
Is this really a cake or did they steal it straight from the movie? Buddy and his crew created this ginormous masterpiece to help promote the third Transformers movie.

Dylan’s Candy Bar Cake

How sweet is this cake? It's like being a kid in the candy store! This cake was made for an actual New York candy store, Dylan’s Candy Bar. The featured treats on this cake are Dylan's Candy Bar products. 

The Black and White Wedding Cake
This wedding cake has so many intricate designs that took an extremely steady hand to make. Although the flowers look real, they are all made out of fondant. This cake was made for Brides Magazine.

Two-Tiered Sea Shell Cake
Who needs the vacation when you can get one on a cake? This cake practically brings the ocean to you (minus the water). The sea shells look so realistic; we'd like to take one home as a souvenir!

Marco’s First Birthday Cake

This not your average birthday cake, especially for a first birthday! This cake is bouncing with bright colors and designs. Buddy made this for his son, Marco. Of course he had to spoil him a little, or depending how you look at it, a lot.

Haagan-Dazs 50th Birthday Cake
This cake looks like heaven in your mouth. At their 50th birthday celebration, this cake was served with Haagan-Dazs ice cream. Sounds like our kind of party! 

The Giant Flip Flop
Myrtle Beach was celebrating its new oceanfront boardwalk and wanted a big cake. Two-hundred sheets of spongecake were used to make this creation and its total weigh reached nearly 2,000 pounds.

Sweet 16 Cake
A cake with flowers and pink is every 16 year old girl’s dream cake. This cake is sophisticated yet fun at the same time. The birthday girl, Ali, was one lucky girl.

The Cake Boss and his crew will literally make any kind of cake you want. They put a lot of effort into pleasing every single one of their customers. Have a photo of your own unique cake? Post it (or a link to it) in the comments below. Show off your artistic side and see what masterpiece you can create. Maybe you will be the next "Cake Boss"!