A Step-by-Step Guide to Hosting a Successful School Supply Drive
Mrs Boin, Mr. Gabelein, and Mr. Jones are teachers from Coupeville Elementary School. They have come together to launch a fundraiser to ensure their fourth-grade classes have everything they need to succeed. Their school supply drive has one aim – to ensure that every child has access to the same new school supplies, like backpacks, pencil cases, and composition books.
They are just one group of teachers nationwide who must pay for their own classroom supplies. School supplies aren’t free, and it’s often the teacher who ends up footing the bill. Schools help out a little, but the majority of the expenses are left to teachers. Even though there is some support available for teachers, multiple surveys, including one by the U.S.Department of Education, show that 90 percent of teachers reach into their own pockets to purchase classroom necessities. Back-to-school fundraising for teachers can help make up the difference.
How much teachers spend on school supplies
In the United States, the Internal Revenue Service allows teachers to deduct up to $300 of unreimbursed trade or business expenses, aka school supplies. But on average, educators spend somewhere between $500 and $750 of their own money every year on items like dry erase markers, highlighters, erasers, and pencil sharpeners that their students need.
What is a school supply drive?
A school supply drive is a charitable event when people collect school supplies for students who would otherwise not have them. They are typically organized by schools or community groups. The aim of the drive is to gather enough collected supplies (binders, pocket folders, spiral notebooks, and more) so that no child goes without what’s on their supply list.
How to organize a school supply drive fundraiser
Teachers should not be expected to shoulder the cost of school supplies. The success of back-to-school fundraisers shows that parents agree and understand the need. A school supply drive is a great way for teachers to ask community members to help cover the costs.
How to organize a school supply drive depends on the teacher and the community, but a few classroom fundraising tips can help to make it a success. Here are a few school supply fundraiser ideas for teachers looking for a little help.
1. Understand the need
Teachers know better than anyone what supplies their students need to be successful. Developing a basic toolkit for supplies and their expected costs will help potential donors know where their gift is going. These items could be index cards, hand sanitizer, gift cards, or even an Amazon list of classroom needs.
2. Collaborate with other teachers
Your classroom isn’t the only one that would benefit from additional supplies. A team fundraiser can make a bigger impact by supporting many teachers working together. Talk to the principal and organize a school-wide supply drive. This is also a good way to find out if there are any other drives upcoming. Donors will be more likely to help because they’ll know their donation doesn’t just help one class, but many, both in-person and virtual.
3. Start collecting donations
Requesting donations can sometimes feel awkward. But it doesn’t have to be. Asking for help is the most difficult part for many, but if you do, you’ll find that people are more than happy to help you. There are a few ways to request donations for your school supply drive:
Collection Bin: Set up collection bins in key locations such as schools, community centers, or at a local store where people do their back-to-school shopping and where they can pick up and drop off common items (e.g., glue sticks, colored pencils, composition books).
Create an online fundraiser on GoFundMe: Crowdfunding for teachers is popular on GoFundMe because it’s a trusted way for donors to support, knowing their donations are protected. It’s user-friendly, too. Unlike some fundraising websites, GoFundMe does not make you wait until you reach your fundraising goal in order to receive the money you collect. You can also link to your Amazon wish list from your fundraiser page. Learn more about how GoFundMe works.
4. Promote your drive
Share: A fundraiser performs best when you take time each day to share it with others. Additionally, asking your friends and family to spread the news will broaden your fundraiser’s visibility. Share your virtual supply drive on social media. GoFundMe automatically creates links that donors can share on Twitter (X) and Facebook. It also gives your fundraiser a short, easy-to-remember link that you can text or email to contacts.
Partner up: Collaborate with local businesses or organizations to sponsor the event or contribute supplies.
Events: Host special events or activities to encourage donations, such as back-to-school fairs or community gatherings.
SDCCU Stuff the Bus fundraiser
After learning that in the last school year in San Diego, more than 21,000 children were identified as experiencing homelessness, San Diego County Credit Union decided to do something to help. They partnered with the San Diego Office of Education to collect monetary donations to purchase back-to-school supplies for local students in need. They asked their community to help them “fill their virtual school bus.” The bank also enlisted the help of iHeart Media radio stations and Jersey Mike’s in San Diego County to help spread the word about their fundraiser. They have raised more than $90,000 so far.
5. Get your students and parents involved
Hold an event to solicit donations — a back-to-school fair or a community meeting. Nearly all teachers have paid out of pocket for school supplies. However, they don’t have to do it alone. Summer back-to-school supply drives can help ease the burden, but school drives can happen year-round. Gathering up unused supplies at the end of the year is another easy option. At the same time, they remind the community just how much teachers do. Students who join in may receive an education beyond what they usually learn in school: a lesson in generosity.
Start your school supply drive today
If you need extra financial support to help pay for school supplies, know that help is out there. Before you organize your school supply drive and create your fundraiser, check out our crowdfunding tips on how to build a fundraising team and how to write your fundraiser story. Take a look at our school fundraising ideas, high school band fundraising ideas, and fundraising ideas for small groups. With these tips and ideas, you’ll be on your way to reaching your fundraising goals. We are on hand to answer all your crowdfunding questions, so why not get started today? If you aren’t ready to start a fundraiser yourself, you can still support other teachers by donating to their supply drive.