There are three different types of Fundraising that take place in the Roosevelt Choral Department:
Department Fundraisers, Show Choir Fundraisers and Student Account Fundraisers
DEPARTMENT FUNDRAISERS
Every now and then we ask the entire choral department to participate in a fundraiser to boost the choral budget. Our program has increased 87% in the last three years. Growth is expensive and our provided budgets do not increase. The Roosevelt administration, booster club and school store have been generous and supportive with their available funds... but our growth exceeds any income we have coming in. For example, over the last six years, we have spent over $18,000 in supplemental robes to cover all of our students. With more singers, the amount we spend on music and busing increases, etc.
We try to keep department wide fundraising to a minimum so we don't max out our families on Fundraisers.
What you can expect on an annual basis in this area can include (but is not limited to):
- Concerts (Fall, Winter, Spring, Pops)
- Bake Sales
- Flower Sales (Poinsettias, Mums)
- Executive Showcase Show Choir Competition
- Dine to Donate Events
SHOW CHOIR FUNDRAISERS
A successful show choir season is incredibly expensive. In order to be competitive, it takes a certain level of professional help and materials to put a high quality competitive season together. Since SD is not a pay to play state, we can not charge fees to participate in the group like other states and show choirs we compete against do (up to $800/student). Because of this, we have a fundraising TARGET of $350 for each participant to strive toward. These targets are very important. If any number of students don't meet their target, we will need to re-asses the extent of our seasons and travel in the future. It is not fair for some in the group to raise money and others to not put forth effort. Everyone agrees to raise the money when they sign their participation contract at the beginning of each season. Commitment to the team and season can be taken into consideration when it comes to future show choir rosters.
What show choir can expect in fundraising opportunities can include (but is not limited to):
- Selling fundraising items (Yankee Candles, Pizza, etc.)
- Working off the target amount through our clean up efforts at the Sanford Pentagon
- Working off the target amount through opportunities offered through local businesses
STUDENT ACCOUNT FUNDRAISERS
Every student in choir, not just Concert Choir, is assigned a "choir student account." The responsibility to build up funds in that account is up to you. This account is in place to be used toward Concert Choir trips every other year, auditions fees for Junior, Regional or National Honor Choirs, choir T-shirts or any other fee based event connected to the choral department.
If students build individual choir account balances gradually, then trips don’t need to feel like a huge burden all at once. Keep this in mind if you are not yet in Concert Choir… it is never too early to start building in your account for a year when you do need those funds!
When a student graduates, the account can only be transferred to a sibling if they are currently enrolled at Roosevelt. Funds in choir accounts can not be transferred to band or orchestra accounts or vice versa. Money built up in the account can not be withdrawn as cash. When a senior graduates without a sibling enrolled at Roosevelt, their remaining balance becomes a part of a scholarship fund for future students in need of financial assistance.
We will offer several Fundraisers to Concert Choir on trip years, including Frozen Foods, Cookie Dough, ButterBraids, Wreaths, Chocolates, Pot Pies, etc.
HYVEE CARDS
This is the student account fundraiser available to all choir students every day of the year - summer and breaks, too! This is how it works:
- The front office at Roosevelt purchases HyVee cards in bulk.
- You bring money to the front office, and receive the same amount back in HyVee cards to spend at your local HyVee store! They work for grocery, gas, pharmacy, etc.
- You also earn 4.5% to go toward your individual student account for use toward future Concert Choir trips.
- This is to be used for the choir student account only. HyVee cards are NOT for show choir fundraising targets.