Launch of School Fundraising Programme | toucanBox

16th August 2018

Following a successful trial in which schools raised over £1000, we’re proud to be launching the toucanBox Schools Fundraising Programme UK-wide.

As part of toucanBox’s plan to unleash the creativity in everyone, we’re incredibly excited to announce the launch of our School Fundraising Programme, just in time for when schools open their doors for the new learning year.

The toucanBox Schools Fundraising Programme is a comprehensive scheme that enables schools to raise money for their own improvement projects, or receive toucanBox crafts for its pupils.

After a successful test run where a small group of schools earned a total of over £1,000, we can’t wait to offer the opportunity to schools of all forms across the UK to start earning money.

Marjolein Halfon, our Partnerships Manager, is leading the nationwide roll-out of the project. “We’re so excited to launch our Schools Programme that will help schools raise much needed funds with three simple and easy steps, and continue our mission to provide access to arts and crafts materials to as many children as possible regardless of personal circumstances”, she said.

Since toucanBox’s launch in 2012 we’ve had numerous requests from schools and PTAs to offer support. While we have supported in any way we can, from Christmas grotto boxes and raffle prizes to donating craft materials, our plan was always to offer a more universal and comprehensive support to schools. Art in schools is in a state of crisis. toucanBox not only offers fun moments for children at home, but hones key skills, develops fine motor movements, encourages social interaction, storytelling, instruction-following, language development and extends way beyond the art curriculum. We want to offer support to schools so they in turn can support the art curriculum, encourage creativity, and get children learning and playing in inventive ways.

With this in mind, we wanted to achieve two main things: shout loud to parents and children about the benefits of toucanBox, and offer funds to participating schools. Schools can spend these funds on anything they wish; PTAs and school organisations regularly have plans for development of playground equipment, resources or funds for school events; causes that we want to support and encourage. Alternatively, schools can use exchange the funds raised for toucanBox craft kits; handy resources for whole classes, small groups, intervention programmes, and supporting children enrolled on pupil premium.

What does toucanBox offer schools?

A very simple fundraiser

Anyone in a school or PTA can obtain a unique link that can be shared with parents, grandparents and friends. Any time someone subscribes using that unique school link toucanBox will donate £5 to the school. Parents at the school will get their first craft box for free and they can cancel at any time - there is never any commitment with a toucanBox subscription.

At the end of the school year toucanBox sends a summary with how much the school has earned. The school can then choose to draw the funds or swap the funds for crafts. There is no upper limit to how much a school can earn. To obtain a unique school link, visit https://www.toucanbox.com/fundraising

We worked with Muthill Primary Parent Council to trail the offer. “We’re delighted with the toucanBox fundraiser,” they said. “We’ve had a great response simply by sharing the link with parents online. We’re a small school – around sixty pupils or so – so it’s not usually worth our while participating in typical school-fundraising schemes but we’ve managed to raise a significant amount very easily. We feel we’re always asking parents for donations, raffle tickets, sponsor money, etc., but with toucanBox we can give them something nice in return!”

Unique, quality gifts or prizes for school events

toucanBox is offering exclusively to schools a significant discount on bulk purchases. A minimum order value of 30 boxes applies and will be delivered directly to the school. Seasonal boxes are popular for summer fairs, end-of-year parties, Easter parties, Santa’s grottos and Halloween parties. To enquire just email Marjolein at [email protected].

St John’s School PTA said “… The most thoughtful part about toucanBox is the range of activities for children of all ages throughout our school. They were the perfect Santa’s grotto present. A toucanBox has everything you need in order to complete the craft and engage boys and girls alike …which makes happy children AND happy parents. Thank you toucanBox for giving us such a new and worthwhile way to raise money.”

Convenient, themed activities for the classroom

toucanBox is offering the same exclusive discount on bulk purchases for classroom topic starters, to support pupil premium funded children, to support SEN, and after-school clubs. toucanBox has over 100 themes across the National Curriculum, ranging from space to oceans, dinosaurs to animals, countries and so much more.

“We’re delighted that schools are requesting our toucanBoxes for classroom and after school club use. Feedback has been extremely positive with teachers feeding back that children not only enjoyed making their crafts such as the tie dye butterflies, but are also very excited to show their creations to parents”, said our very own Marjolein.

Last updated on 14th May 2021