Fundraising Ideas

There are two main avenues for raising money to support your students’ attendance at MMUN and they are defined by whether the funds come from within the school community or outside of it.First, engage your students to create a budget that includes how much you want to raise, how much you will spend doing the fundraiser (expenses) and how much you will collect after the event is over (income). Try to acquire as many donations as possible. Ask local businesses if they would be willing to donate necessary items. Next, have the students write a press release or public service announcement about their attending the MMUN in NYC and the United Nations. This information will be used when you make posters and flyers about your event.

Internal Fundraising

This venue consists of projects designed to have parents, students, teachers, staff and other internal members of your school donate money to your cause. It can be fun, rewarding and help promote MMUN awareness.Ideas include:

1. Odd jobs: hire the team out to mow lawns, shovel snow, wash cars, baby-sit, rake leaves
2. Sell Fundraising Items: coupon books, wrapping paper, candles, tinned cookies. There are businesses that specialize in providing such items (look in the Yellow Pages or online for “Premium and Incentive Companies); make sure that at least 50% of the money raised goes to your cause.
3. Hold a Garage Sale. Ask parents and neighbors for donations. Depending on where you live, time the event when the weather is likely to be good. Have other activities at the Garage Sale such as a car wash, face painting, games and refreshments.
4. Host a Fundraising Event at your School. Pizza lunch, bake sale, barbeque, school dance, community lunch, holiday ornament sale, winter poinsettia sale, car wash, movie night or theater night in which the students perform skits or sing, ect.

External Fundraising

This avenue extends your fundraising audience to the larger, external community. It includes organizations, stores and people who will benefit from partnering or supporting your students and the MMUN cause. It also means that you won’t deplete your parents’ resources.

Remember when approaching businesses that they need a reason for supporting you and it should answer the question: How will my helping you help my business or organization. One answer is that you will ensure that their support is written in all press releases and messages to your school families. Another answer is to research the organizations mission statement and tell them how their mission aligns with your participation in MMUN. Typically, local or regional not for profits or businesses are more likely to fund a school project. Ask your parents or school administrator if they know of any businesses or organizations would be open to receiving a proposal for support. Having a spokesperson inside an organization can make all the difference.Ideas include:

1. Ask merchants to donate cash grant for your school’s fund for the MMUN.
2. Ask merchants to donate merchandise or services (this is usually easier to achieve) that you can use as Auction Items, and then hold an Auction at the school, where families and staff can bid on the items. (Or, you can even set up a display in the hallway and let everyone bid on the items for 2-3 days as they come in and out of school). Set up your Montessori Model UN display to showcase the UN and your school.
3. Ask Rotary or another local service organization to support your students’ trip to MMUN.AS an international service organization, Rotary sees trade and business exchange as a way of building a peaceful world. It is easy to see how the MMUN experience prepares Montessori students for global citizenship.
4. Ask your parent community if any of them work for a company that could benefit from sponsoring your students to MMUN. Global companies can often benefit from the marketing that such support will bring them.