Using Technology to Enhance Fundraising:
How your Charter School can Take Advantage
February 29, 2012
Jay Owens, Larchmont Charter School
Jonas Lamis, Rally
Erica Labovitz, IndieGoGo
Joe Harrington, CCSA
Despite Economic Challenges, the California Charter movement continues to grow
Charter School Growth in California
• There are 982 charter schools serving 412,000 charter school students in California – 7% of all public school students
• Over the past 10 years, California charter schools have consistently grown by an average of 50 schools a year.
31 60 83 110 125 159245
305363
418 459 510574 618
687750
850912
982
'94 '95 '96 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12
Number of schools in existence by year
Bay Area
233
Los Angeles
271
San Diego
105
Inland Empire
58
Fresno
112
Sacramento
165
CCSA member schools by region
2
Growth hindered by funding equity challenges
"It is the intent of the Legislature that each charter school be provided with operational funding that is equal to the total funding that would be available to a similar school district serving a similar pupil population..." [Ed Code 47630(a)]
Facilities out of operating funds
Fewer options to deal with state deferrals
Funding relative to districts
Overall public school funding
Can fundraising be a sustainable alternative for charter schools?
• Get to know our audience
• Session objectives
– Stress fundraising fundamentals
– Raise awareness new opportunities available in fundraising due to technology and online media
– Provide “real-life” examples
• school experience
• product demonstrations
– Generate discussion/questions
Agenda
– Introductions and Context
– Panelist presentations
• Jay Owens, Founding Parent, Larchmont Charter Schools
• Jonas Lamis, Chief Operating Officer, Rally
• Erica Labovitz, Director of Marketing, IndieGoGo
– Panel discussion/Q&A
• Introductions
• Right Technology + Good Fundraising Fundamentals = $$$$
• Larchmont Charter School Background (LCS – 931 API / LCW – 940 API)
• Charter Schools - Opportunities, Dangers & 4 Insights
• MyCharterSchool Technology
• Fundraising Fundamentals
• Summary/Results
Larchmont Charter Schools
Fundraising Sources
4 Funding Engines
State Funds
Foundation Grants
Corporations
School Stakeholders
Invited Donors
Business Community
350 Stakeholders
550 Adults x 2 “Gets”
*1450 potential donors – minimum*
MyCharterSchool Home Page
Family/Stakeholder Accounts
Fully Hosted Secure Website (SaaS)
Key Functionality
• School Directory
• Reporting
• Campaigns
• Events
• Auctions
MyCharterSchool Campaigns
User Created Campaigns
Donation/Pledging Flexibility (Check & CC)
Integrated Payment Processing
MyCharterSchool Payments/Receipts
Automated confirmation & tax receipts
Automated thank-you recognition
MyCharterSchool Invitations/Reports
Including friends & family with full functionality
E-mail invitation with link to MyCharterSchool site
Reporting to show historical giving
Includes invited users as a group
MyCharterSchool Events
User Created Events
Tickets/Packages
Volunteering Sign-Ups
Social Media Integration
Back-end Event Management (Tickets, Attendance Sheets, ...)
MyCharterSchool Events
Events with requested supplies Keeps track of who is bringing what
Events with requested volunteers Integrates with user calendars
MyCharterSchool Future
Future functionality:
• Business Homepages
• School “Facebook”
• School Newsletters
• Homework/Grade Portal
9 Fundraising Fundamentals
1. Leadership to inspire and committee for accountability 2. A passionate mission that is bigger than your school needs money 3. A clear fundraising goal 4. Be upfront about what the money is for (#2 reason why people
give) 5. 100% participation goal ( Most important goal - Future
Stakeholders) 6. Ask each stakeholder personally (#1 reason why people give,
email OK) 7. Ask amount is a “Give or Get” (No excuses on a Get) 8. Give Feedback often on Fundraiser (good feelings and hidden
accountability) 9. Quarterly or Yearly reports (strong reason why people give
again...did some good)
LCW Results
• Increased parent/community involvement
• “Give or Get” improved fundraising
• Giving has grown over past 3 years while administration costs
have remained constant
• Continued development of MyCharterSchool functionality driving
towards additional school and community needs
Jay Owens – [email protected]
Michael Fishman – [email protected]
• International Crowdfunding Platform • Open to Everyone • 70K campaigns, 190+ countries, $MM • Offer Perks in Exchange for Money • Earn Merit Based Exposure • Share Your Story via Social Integration • Track Your Success
Indiegogo Class Picture!
What is IndieGoGo?
• Small Business Expansion • Build Awareness
• Validate an Idea • Cover Development Costs
• Save Lives • Fuel Innovation
IndieGoGo Empowers…
Raised: $15,326
Raised: $24,680
Raised: $48,860
Peralta Elementary School: • Nationally recognized art program • Raised money to Save program
Randolph School: • Raised $ to outfit woodworking shop
Colleen Wainwright and WriteGirl • Raised over $50,000 for 50th birthday • Benefits writing mentorships for girls
Education & IndieGoGo
Raised: $17,362
Raised: $61,517
Raised: $2,600
• Tell a Story
• Involve the Students
• Involve the Parents/Community
• Be Creative with Perks
• SHARE, SHARE, SHARE
• Follow Up with Results
What Works
How to Start
• Identify a Discrete Need – Programming Cuts
– School Trips
– Equipment
• Get a Team Together
• Get Started – [email protected]
– Promo Code:
CCSA22912 for 50% Off
Agenda
– Introductions and Context
– Panelist presentations
• Jay Owens, Parent Organizer, Larchmont Charter Schools
• Jonas Lamis, Chief Operating Officer, Rally
• Erica Labovitz, Director of Marketing, IndieGoGo
– Panel discussion/Q&A
