by Darian Neckermann, Co-Founder, Forum Deutsch
As with so many things in life that get us to do what we know we need to do - there is never that perfect time to start. Sometimes, we need a little push. Sometimes a little guidance. And sometimes we just have to move past our reluctant self. When it comes to fundraising, at least for me, all of these apply. I too grew up in a “place of ‘no’“ when money entered a conversation and philanthropic work wasn’t part of growing up. But raising funds for charitable causes is part of the everyday American life and often times there is not really a way around it. Extra funds allow us to invest in new programs, in resources and people. It raises awareness about particular issues, brings people together and gives us the freedom to grow our operations. From the lemonade stands in our neighborhood to bake sales in schools all the way to social charity events – all is good as long as it serves a purpose that matters. And that applies to language education as well.
Innovative fundraising strategies for language schools
Language schools all across the country face serious challenges in our inflation driven post-Covid world. We need additional funds to compensate for school funding cuts, to hire and retain excellent teachers and provide a high–quality language education. We need to think creatively on what opportunities to capitalize on and how to bring in money to boost our finances. Maybe you have already ventured into fundraising, figured out what you want to accomplish this year and created a roadmap for the different events. And maybe you have already gathered a team that is committed to putting in the time and energy that goes into the planning and the execution of your fundraising efforts. Volunteering on the events committee is a great way to meet other parents and it does not take much to combine a community gathering with an appeal for a cause. Just remember, that giving is highly personal and tangible impact increases your ability to drive donations. So add the bake sale to your holiday party and make it about something very specific like funding that set of new chrome books to better adapt to the different learning needs in your classrooms. Selling unwanted books is another simple and effective way to raise money within the community and in order to extend your reach, think about involving your local German American Chamber of Commerce or even the German Consulate in the area. And if you feel like going above and beyond - enhance the used book sale day with a spelling bee contest to collect funds for your school library and ask a generous donor to match the amount raised.
Cultivating a stronger community network
Building a community is essential for nonprofit efforts and there are a lot of ways to combine fun with giving. You can host a German Trivia Night in a physical venue or online and charge an entry fee per team and not just per person. I also love the suggestion to collating favorite teacher or community recipes into a charity cookbook, an idea that also applies for a student anthology for which you might get funding for from a local Germany company if the topic fits. At the end of the day, fundraising on any scale is about offering a donor the opportunity to make an impact that falls in line with his values and vision. Strengthen your fundraising community by getting to know the parents of your students and building on these relationships - they are already connected to your mission and care about the quality of their children’s language education. Take the time to chitchat in the hallway and host coffees by grade during school hours. It is a chance to establish deeper connections and emphasize how much the school relies on their help and donations. Always make sure to be clear and specific about the cause. Donors like to understand where their money is going, why their donation is truly needed and what impact their donation has. There are many ways to give and non-monetary donations like taking pictures at school function for example can make as much of a difference as any amount given.
Don’t limit your fundraising efforts to your school community
You might be surprised about the willingness of local businesses and town officials to come together for something as important as language education in their community. In return, give back by cleaning up litter around the school or collecting toys for a local shelter. It is a great way to expand your fundraising community, reach a broader audience for your cause and who knows – maybe even enhance enrollment in the future!
In Summary
Truth be told - there are many challenges when it comes to fundraising with retiring one’s internal discomfort when asking for money just being one of them. But if we leave our hesitation at the door and get started, intentions turn into action and we at Forum Deutsch are curious about your experience in this department. Join our Forum Spotlight about Fundraising in November and let’s talk about all the creative, community building and social aspects of making a difference for your school!
by Darian Neckermann, Co-Founder, Forum Deutsch