When art educators team up with an art fundraiser partner, they obviously want their efforts to pay off! It’s about securing funds for new classroom resources and projects—but you also want the experience to be rewarding for everyone involved.
When you come to Art to Remember, we make it easy to run a program that’s both engaging for students and efficient for parents to participate. Adopting a few intentional strategies can make a big difference in helping students and their families feel excited and connected to the fundraising process. Then your art program can receive the support you want and need!
5 Strategies for a Successful Art Fundraiser
A successful art fundraiser doesn’t happen by accident. It takes a little planning and clear communication between the classroom and families. Fortunately, with Art to Remember, this isn’t overwhelming. We have the tools you need to walk through things one step at a time. Plus, with these tips, you’ll be able to increase engagement and create a fundraiser that celebrates student creativity while delivering meaningful results.
- Start with a Strong Art Project
The foundation of strong participation is quality artwork. You want students and families to truly fall in love with the project being featured on their keepsake. Our library of free art lessons can help! We have plenty of options that look great when transferred to keepsakes. Along the way, they teach valuable techniques while still allowing for creativity—and they look polished when complete.
Projects like self-portraits, animal explorations, landscapes, or seasonal scenes tend to resonate because parents instantly recognize the personality in their child’s observations. Our team has compiled lessons that include clear steps and thoughtful compositions so students can create pieces they’re excited to show off! That pride directly translates into higher family engagement.
- Talk About the Program Early and Often
Families are more likely to participate when they understand the program before the ordering process kicks off. First, it’s important to take time to explain Art to Remember to students early in the process. That way, they can talk about it at home. Talking about how their artwork can be turned into customized pieces like mugs and magnets is exciting to hear. From there, be sure to highlight how the keepsakes will support the art program with new funds. A little explanation goes a long way.
Repetition helps, too. Mention the program throughout the project, and remind students when their artwork is complete that they’ll be able to see it transformed. The more familiar it feels, the easier it will be for students to encourage their families to make an order.
- Focus on Clear Communication with Parents
Clear communication is one of the biggest drivers of participation. Of course, you can’t just rely on the kids to relay the purpose of the program. Parents want to know three things quickly: what the program is, how it works, and why it matters. Every school is different, so think about what type of communication tools work best for your community. Is there a regular newsletter that goes out via email? Or do you need to send flyers home?
Keep messaging simple, positive, and focused on student pride and school support—not pressure to buy. You can also consider adding visuals of sample keepsakes or finished artwork to help parents understand the value of the program and what to expect.
- Highlight the Keepsake Factor
Families are far more likely to participate when they see Art to Remember as a meaningful keepsake, not just a fundraiser. We like to emphasize how these items work to preserve the key moments in their child’s artistic journey. It’s something they’ll look back on years from now!
In your messaging, remember to point out that each piece is unique and student-created. These aren’t like gifts you’d find in a store. When parents realize that the artwork can be a tangible memory worth saving, it’s only natural that participation will increase.
- Celebrate Everyone’s Experience in the Classroom
Student enthusiasm is contagious. When students are excited, their families will notice. Use your time in the classroom to celebrate the completion of their artwork, and allow time for students to reflect on their pieces. Then they’ll be set up to talk about their art at home.
Simple activities like a mini classroom “gallery walk” or discussing favorite parts of their artwork can help reinforce how special the project is for the year. Making sure to build up confidence and excitement at school makes it easier for students to engage their parents at home.
You Can Always Count on Art to Remember for Support!
With the right approach, your Art to Remember program can support your art budget and celebrate student creativity in a truly meaningful way. You don’t have to do this alone. We provide plenty of tools, resources, and guidance to make the process smooth and successful. From project ideas to ordering support, we help educators focus on what they do best—teaching art!