| Michigan school PTA organizations across the | | | | discount on a date that they can easily get their |
| state are working hard to maintain activities, | | | | full normal fee for. There are fewer events and |
| projects, and enrichment assemblies programs at | | | | parties held on a Monday - Wednesday, so the |
| their schools, while working with shrinking parent | | | | company may be more eager to offer discounted |
| involvement and Michigan state school budget | | | | fees in order to fill in their schedule. |
| cuts. Cuts in budgets for PTA groups, does not | | | | Always ask if there would be a discount if your |
| have to mean cutting back on the services and | | | | event was on a different night of the week. You |
| activities provided to your school community. | | | | may be surprised at the savings you could be |
| There are many simple things that can be done | | | | offered. |
| to reduce costs and save money - without | | | | There is a common thought among Michigan PTA |
| jeopardizing the goals and mission of your parent | | | | groups that they must have their PTA family |
| group. | | | | night activities on a Friday night. But in reality, a |
| Organize a Michigan PTA Buying Co-Op with Other | | | | Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday night event |
| Area Schools | | | | can be even more successful because the event |
| Teaming up with other schools in your Michigan | | | | is not competing with other activities families may |
| school district to form a buying co-op is one of | | | | have planned for the weekend. |
| the easiest and most effective ways to cut your | | | | Get A Local Sponsor For Your Michigan PTA |
| costs. Having a co-op allows you to contract | | | | Event |
| services and make purchases for supplies and | | | | Ask area Michigan businesses to donate money or |
| school equipment in bulk, which gives you more | | | | products towards a school family night, school |
| negotiating power for a lower per unit price. | | | | assembly program, or improvement project. In |
| Michigan PTA co-ops work great for scheduling | | | | exchange for the donation, offer to feature the |
| school assemblies in Michigan and family night | | | | business in your Michigan school PTA bulletin, |
| enrichment programs, as many Michigan school | | | | display a sign from the business at the event, and |
| assembly performers offer block booking | | | | feature the business as a sponsor in all fliers and |
| discounts for shows at multiple schools booked on | | | | posters for the school event. It is important that |
| the same day or consecutive days. | | | | the business feels as if they are getting proper |
| Here is an example of how block booking | | | | recognition and/ or advertising for their donation |
| discounts may work when your schools wants to | | | | as it will increase their willingness to participate in |
| schedule an assembly performance: | | | | future PTA events. Chances are you will not have |
| Imagine your school is interested in booking a | | | | to look too far for a sponsor, as many of your |
| science assembly program for your Michigan | | | | existing PTA members are probably small |
| elementary students. The normal fee for such this | | | | business owners. |
| science assembly program may be $650 for a | | | | Small Grants Can Add Up To Big Savings For |
| performance at your Michigan school. If you were | | | | Your Michigan PTA School Group |
| to have two other schools in your district that | | | | There are many state, city, county and national |
| were interested in the same program, however, | | | | grants and financial assistance programs available |
| the assembly presenter could now perform a | | | | to Michigan schools who wish to bring in |
| program at your school in the morning, another | | | | enrichment programs to their schools. |
| school in the afternoon, and the final school the | | | | - Local Police DARE organizations have access to |
| next day. The presenter can now offer a | | | | funding for programs and enrichment that support |
| discounted fee to all the schools because they are | | | | drug prevention and positive self-esteem |
| doing more shows and only have to travel to | | | | messages. The DARE chapter may be able to |
| your area one time. The new "block booking" fee | | | | pay for all or part of an anti-drug, or no bullying |
| for this Michigan science assembly may now be | | | | assembly presentation for your school or sponsor |
| $450 per school. That means all three schools in | | | | a say no to drugs family night or red ribbon week |
| your district just saved $200 off their science | | | | event. |
| assembly program. | | | | - Arts and entertainment grants are available |
| Michigan PTA buying co-ops can be beneficial in | | | | through Michigan Arts and Humanities Council for |
| negotiating the best price for almost any service | | | | schools that are looking to bring a touring arts |
| or product. With email mailing lists and networking | | | | program to their students. This organization pays |
| services such as Facebook and Twitter, it is easy | | | | for up to 35% of the cost of select performing |
| to communicate with other Michigan PTA groups | | | | arts programs. The grant application has very |
| and find out who would be interested in | | | | specific requirements and deadlines that must be |
| participating in block booking an assembly program | | | | met, so read the application carefully! |
| or making a group purchase of equipment or | | | | - School assembly presenter agencies such as |
| supplies. | | | | Midwest School Assembly Presenters often list |
| Have Alternate Dates For Your PTA Event or | | | | available Michigan school assembly grants on their |
| Activity in Mind | | | | website. These grants can save schools $50-$100 |
| Michigan magicians, speakers, DJ's, assembly | | | | or more off the cost of an assembly program at |
| presenters, caterers, and other businesses that | | | | their elementary school. |
| provide services to Michigan schools are more | | | | Getting a grant for a PTA program at your |
| likely to be negotiable on the prices for their | | | | Michigan school can often require filling out |
| services if your school event is during a "slow | | | | applications and submitting proposals. It is best if |
| time". Friday nights, weekends, and holidays are | | | | you can get one volunteer from your Michigan |
| prime days for most Michigan event services | | | | PTA group, who is good at composition and |
| providers, and you should expect to pay full price | | | | business writing, to be in charge of all grant |
| for a school event on those days. There is little | | | | program applications. |
| incentive for a business to give your school a | | | | |