Blockbuster, I think not!

You can use this chance to raise awareness in your school about a social issue or a specific cause (ie: teen homelessness). Select a documentary or a movie with a message—you can find some on Do Something’s website, under the “Look/Listen” tab of any specific cause. To save costs skip blockbuster and check out your local library instead, find out if you access the movie for free.

When!

If you really wanna grab a large crowd, you have to be smart about the timing. Talk to your principal and find out if you can show the movie during a class period, lunch, or gym. Coordinate different showings by grade or class and talk to teachers beforehand, find out which faculty members would be willing to let their students attend the film instead of their class. If its not gonna happen offer the movie over the weekend or during a school break when more students will be likely to show up.

Flat Screen Please!

After talking with school administrators to get permission to run the event, find out if you can use the school auditorium or gym. If these spaces aren’t available, reserve an empty classroom for the event. Talk to media services and make sure you can borrow a VCR or DVD player.

Preview Time

Does your school have televisions in most classrooms; find out if you can run a preview of the feature film so that students will get excited for the feature film. Maybe you can show a trailer during a school assembly or meeting. Don’t forget to make some flashy signs, and put them up in different hallways. Always include the date and time of the event as well as the admission price and cause that the fundraiser will support.

Action!

On the day of the movie showing, recruit a ticket taker or two to collect the money. If students are rowdy enlist some ushers to keep the crowds under control. Make sure there is enough seating to accommodate everybody, and dim the lights! If you want to take the event to the next level, hold an informal discussion about the film and give students a chance to talk about what they saw.

Want more ideas on how to fundraise?

First you can...