By Summer

If you’re a parent, chances are you have a child in school, even if it’s a toddler group or preschool. The thing is schools always need money. ALWAYS! Give and find ways to give savvy.

Toddler Groups / Co-ops – Find out if your program is a 501(c), this will help increase your giving power. Your work might be able to match your donation and/or use the tax deduction. These types of programs might also like to take your physical donations such as gently used books, toys and puzzles.

Preschool / Kindergarten Prep – Your program might also be a 501(c), check with them and remember to match and/or use the tax deduction. Some programs have fundraisers, which actually fall on the parents, not the children! Some preschools will take physical donations of used books, toys, puzzles, and art supplies.

Elementary Schools – Most of their outside funds come from the PTA which will do multiple fundraisers a year to acquire funds to improve the school. Some schools also accept Box Tops for Education and Campbell’s Soup Labels, so collect and turn them in!

Middle School / Junior High – Different programs and clubs will accept private donations, such as rhetoric or band. Students at this age still end up doing fundraisers for the PTA or for extracurricular activities.

High School – This is all about private sponsorship. The yearbook offers ads for the parents of seniors, the newspaper and football programs offer ad space for profit, and uniforms are bought by the participant. Fundraisers are typically held inside the school where students are raising money from students, such as candy-grams at holidays like Halloween or Valentine’s Day. Find a place you’d want to give to your child’s high school or your alma mater.

College / University / Technical Schools – Sometimes you cringle at the money you spent to attend a higher education program where you feel it was worth it or not. Then about 2 years after graduation they want to contact you to donate to the alumni association, your particular program, a dean’s or chancellor’s fund, or other divisions. I’d actually encourage you to join your alumni association if your school has one. Also give at least annually, and if your school is a public or state school check out if the division you’re giving to is a 501(c) which means matching by companies and/or tax deductions.

One more way you might be able to give money to your schools is to check with your human resources about getting paid to volunteer. My husband’s employer will pay an organization for each hour he volunteers for them. I don’t remember the pay rate, but he has to work 10+ hours within the year. Also the “deal” is non-transferable, so I can’t volunteer in his place.

Giving back to education is paying it forward for your children.

About Summer:

Summer is very active in our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living while cooking up a storm.