Here are a few ideas for funding a Make-A-Book Project or any goal your school may have, like a new garden or playground equipment. In the past, we have raised anywhere from $300 to over $2500, plus enough to cover all the project expenses.
Simple fundraiser: If your school or organization doesn’t want to create a book, perhaps you would like to organize a simple fundraiser with Scott’s five children’s books. The books make great gifts for friends and family. We’ll even donate a set to the school library. And Scott could visit as a guest author to sign the books. Meeting Scott in person inspires students to dream and helps instill the faith that big dreams, like cycling around the world, are really possible.
The logistics: We can donate 40-55% of the cover price of all book sales, compared to Scholastic’s book drive, which pays as low as 25% for the first $2500 in sales. Of course, this event would take some organization with the parent-teacher committee, but I have personally seen the success. Assuming the event is well-organized and sells about 300 books (less than 1 book per family), we would earn enough money to fund a SMART Board for the classroom. The fundraiser could also include cupcakes (baked and donated by parents), raffle prizes and more. The best way to coordinate a fundraiser is with an existing event, like a Spring Fling or Holiday Craft Sale.
Supporting a book project at your school. If you DO want to organize and fund a book project, in addition to a book and bake sale, perhaps we could try social media fundraising. It’s fun and a great way to reach friends and friends of friends. Donorschoose.org is one example. Social fundraising also supports a reward system; for example, donors could:
- Naming a character. For example, a $100 donation level.
- Contributing a theme.
- Purchase a book signed by all the student illustrators.
- Or whatever fun reward we can create.
This isn’t just fundraising—your community can help co-create the book; in other words, it’s interactive!
Example Fundraiser
To celebrate the completion of our book, The Cupcake Boy, the PTO launched a bake sale. It was a big success! We earned enough to pay for the whole Make-A-Book Project with some money left over to fund more activities and supplies for the students.
See even more imaginative cupcakes in the original project update. The project updates are another way to build excitement for the final celebration and fundraiser.
At the celebration below, Scott signs books. (At nearby tables, the kids who have illustrations in the book are also signing autographs.) I guarantee every child gets a free book, but additional book sales can help fund the project, too. Some parents like to buy books for their extended family and friends.
Create a fundraiser or make a book at your school
If this looks like fun, contact us to get a book project started at your school.
