REAPING THE BENEFITS OF PARTNERSHIPS Planning An Education Foundation Vendor Luncheon Presented by: Jeannie Thielemann Dickinson ISD Education Foundation

START WITH THE BASICS Appoint a committee Chairperson Determine a budget Set a Fundraising Goal Determine a Date for Your Event or General Time of Year Appoint a Vendor Solicitation Team

BUILD YOUR LIST OF PROSPECTS: 1.Who Are Your Districts Largest Vendors ($250,000 and Up)? 2.Who Are Your District’s Top Tax-Payers? 3.What Local Businesses Does Your District Utilize the Most? 4.What Corporations and Businesses Have a Vested Interest in Your Students? - Visit with your Superintendent, Finance Director, Operations Director, Transportation Director and other Administrators to Determine Which Businesses They Use Frequently and For Large Purchases.

DEVELOP A LIST OF NEEDS AND DETERMINE A GOAL: What Does Your District Need?  Funds for Enhancement Programs  Student Scholarships  School Volunteers  Basic School Supplies  Computers, I-Pads, Technology  ….

BEGIN PLANNING YOUR EVENT:  SELECT A CENTRAL LOCATION  CHOOSE A QUALITY FACILITY WHERE VENDORS WILL FEEL COMFORTABLE AND AT EASE  SELECT A CATERER AND MENU THAT IS AFFORDABLE BUT NOT TOO LUXURIOUS  CREATE YOUR INVITATIONS  BEGIN LOOKING FOR SPONSORS AND LEAD GIFTS

CREATE YOUR LUNCHEON GIVING PACKET 1.Foundation Marketing Materials 2.School Facts & Results 3.Awards, Achievements & Recognitions 4.List of Past and Present Donors 5.List of Needs and Opportunities for Involvement 6.Pledge and Donor Cards

SCHEDULE YOUR SPEAKERS  TEACHERS WHO CAN PASSIONATELY TALK ABOUT THEIR GRANTS AND DEMONSTRATE THE RESULTS …  BUSINESSES OWNERS AND VENDORS WHO CAN SINCERELY TALK ABOUT THEIR POSITIVE INVOLVEMENT WITH YOUR DISTRICT AND THE IMPACT IT HAS HAD ON THE STUDENTS AND THEIR BUSINESS  ALUMNI WHO CAN DEMONSTRATE AND ATTEST TO THE RESULTS OF YOUR DISTRICT  STUDENTS WHO CAN TALK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE

TIME FOR THE LUNCHEON TIME TO TELL YOUR STORY 1.Have your Superintendent Tell About the District’s Needs and Facts 2.Have a Teacher and Student Share Their Experience with a Grant 3.Have a Business Owner Attest to the Impact Their Involvement Has Had 4.Allow an Alumni to Share Their Experience 5.Recognize Your Lead Donors and Have Them Challenge Your Guests 6.Make the “Ask” For the CHILDREN! – Have your Pledge and Donor Cards on the Table with a Pen and Allow Time for Pledges and Gifts.

THANK THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN AND LET YOUR GUESTS KNOW THAT THEY ARE WELCOME TO BE A PART OF THIS GROUP

AFTER THE EVENT: Thank All Who Attended and Donated Several Times Follow-up with Those Who Did Not Attend or Donate and Invite Them to BE A PARTNER? Share and Announce Your Results Continue to Share on A Regular Basis The Successes of Your Students and Those Involved

Questions? Time to Share  What does your district do?  Who can you partner with to make things better each luncheon?  What works for your community? Thank you. Jeannie Thielemann Dickinson ISD Education Foundation Executive Director of Development & Community Relations (281)