Fundraising
Fundraising is key for any non-profit to support operations and fund capital improvements. Little Beginnings uses the proceeds from its fundraising to pay for updates to the classrooms and playground, as well as to build a small “rainy day” fund.
At LB, there are two major fundraisers:
Holiday fundraiser: Sally Foster, candles, wreaths, and flowers. Starts in early October, and goods arrive November 30, 2010. (Download the 2010 Fall Fundraising Packet)
Spring fundraiser: The silent auction will be held at 6:30 p.m., June 9, 2012, at the National Rural Electric Co-Op, 4301 Wilson Boulevard in Ballston.
In addition, we have hosted an LB family yard sale in June, and occasional Election Day bake sales. These fundraisers raised more than $22,000 combined during the 2009-10 school year!
There are many other ways you can help:
1. Sign up for Grocery Savings Cards: The LB web site has information about how to link your grocery savings card to LB. It takes 10 minutes, and ends up earning us almost $1000 per year, even though only 20 families are signed up at Harris Teeter.
2. Talk to your employer. Many have matching grants or other funding available for local non-profits. At a board meeting last year, we were discussing upcoming capital needs. Some major upcoming projects include upgrading the explorer bathroom, building an entry trellis/area to hang coats on the playground, and additional Conscious Discipline training for other LB teachers. There is some thought that LB could be a “model classroom” for Conscious Discipline in the DC region. It would be ideal to locate some grants to support these efforts. Please check and see if you might be able to take advantage of your employers’ program to get some funding for your children’s classroom.
3. Help us locate grants. If you are involved with other non-profits, please talk to me about any grant sources with which your organization has had success. If you locate any possible grants, please forward them to me, and I will be happy to complete them.
4. Stay Involved! We are trying to build out the alumni network. If you appreciate what LB has done for you child(ren), consider staying in touch and supporting the fundraisers. We sold almost $1,000 to alumni and other “friends of LB.” We’d appreciate your staying in touch as your children move on to schools. Every candle and wreath sold is a few more dollars to support this great place.