Since the CCSTA first launched its Toonies for Tuition program nine years ago, we have heard from a number of trustees, educators and parents telling us about the different ways they have brought in money to help support the campaign.
From dress-down days to a Toonies trophy, creativity has been key to help spread the word about limited or no funding for Catholic schools, and how each person can make a difference by donating a Toonie to the cause.
In honour of the official Toonies for Tuition fundraiser day, which takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015, we’ve put together an ideas’ package to help you get started on your Toonies plans. Here’s a breakdown of the Toonies for Tuition story, fundraising ideas and resources to help you organize your Toonies for Tuition fundraiser.
Why did Toonies for Tuition get started?
In 2004, the idea of creating an Endowment Fund for the Association was raised by President Bernakevitch. After two years of discussion and design, followed by applying for governmental approval, the CCSTA Endowment Fund became a reality in 2006. The primary purpose of the fund is to provide Tuition Assistance to help Catholic students attend Catholic schools in Provinces and Territories which provide limited funding – or no funding at all – for Catholic Education.
In 2006, at the St. John’s Convention, the CCSTA membership approved the Toonies for Tuition campaign as the official fundraiser to support the Endowment Fund. Since that time, the CCSTA has been able to provide more than $230,000 to families across Canada to help pay for tuition costs.
How can I host a fundraiser?
That’s up to you! It all depends on where you plan to host a fundraiser. Here are some ideas:
If you’re hosting it in a school:
- If students wear uniforms, you could host a dress-down day. Alternatively, you could host a hat day or a dance in which admission fees will be contributed to Toonies for Tuition;
- Two words: bake sale;
- Because we’re approaching Thanksgiving, you could host a Turkey Toonie toss, in which students and teachers would throw a toonie in the center of your gym from behind a prescribe line – the toonie closest to the gym’s center wins a turkey. It’s all about engaging your community and finding ways to communicate the who and the why behind your fundraiser.
If you’re hosting it at a church:
- Speak to the congregation before the mass wraps up, and outline that you’ll be accepting donations at the back of the church;
- Host a Harvest church dinner;
- Host a book sale; and
- Organize a Christmas Wreath fundraiser.
If you’re a Trustee:
- Reach out to your school community and work with teachers on hosting a fundraising event. You’ll need advocates in your school hallways to promote the fundraiser.
- Take small steps to get your school community on board. Make it your goal to have three local schools take part in a Toonies for Tuition fundraiser. Word will spread on this fundraiser and will help make the Toonies for Tuition campaign a well-known name throughout your region.
- Use social media. If your school board uses social media to communicate with parents, students, teachers and anyone else involved in the school, as that they use this platform to promote Toonies for Tuition. Hint: you could have them link up to this article.
Are You Ready to Host a Toonies for Tuition Fundraiser?
CCSTA is happy to provide you with any marketing content to promote your event, including a Toonies for Tuition poster, speaking notes and relevant information. For more information, please visit our Toonies for Tuition page.
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