Mendon-Upton volunteers hopeful about iPad fundraiser

From:  Milford Daily News

School foundations are able to raise more money when they communicate specific initiatives to be funded.  A foundation in Mendon, Massachusetts found that despite their intention to raise money for iPads through an annual fundraiser, social media was the way that they met their fundraising objective.

The Mendon-Upton Education Foundation wanted to fund a $44,630 grant to provide iPads to 83 seventh graders and four teachers.  A fundraiser on November 4th raised $18,000 in addition to $10,000 that the foundation had already designated for the iPads. 

In a five-day social network fundraiser, volunteers used the Internet (e.g., Facebook) and word of mouth to collect an additional $15,000.  (As of the date of the article, donations are still being received.)  Kathleen Moeckel of Upton, chairwoman of last week’s fundraiser, said “the foundation was able to get donations from about 90 Mendon and Upton residents last week, surpassing its goal of contacting 500 people and instead hitting up 1,000.”

Never underestimate the value of social media and getting your community to “like” your education foundation on Facebook!

http://www.milforddailynews.com/topstories/x1178205641/Mendon-Upton-volunteers-hopeful-about-iPad-fundraiser