Fundraising

Memberships, which are the primary fundraiser, are solicited in the back-to-school packets which families receive and in our newsletters, 4 times per year. In late November, we appeal directly to those families with students in the music program who are not members. In addition, we have a Fall and Spring product sales. All families are encouraged to participate. Only students in grades 6 and up are asked to solicit. We also conduct a Pancake Breakfast, the first Sunday in May, which includes performances by the students and a silent auction of music related items, including items offered by our teachers such as private performances or lessons. Lastly, we hold a Jazz Cabaret, a night of desserts and dancing to the music of our SHS & RMS Jazz Bands.

Updated Nov 2007 - Read About our New Fundraisers

All SMB funds are used to benefit our music programs. Fundraising activities fall into four categories: Program Fees, General Fundraisers, Designated Student Account Fundraisers, and Travel Fundraisers. See Student Account Guidelines for additional information. See June 2007 Allocations for information about what programs were funded.

Program Fees raise money to cover the costs of specific programs, which are not funded by the schools. These programs include elementary school beginning orchestra and band, SUSD intermediate and advanced bands, Redwood Middle School ensembles, and the SHS marching band, orchestra, drill team, and winter guard. Program fees are collected at the beginning of the year.

General Fundraisers raise money for the SMB operating budget and general funds. These profits are from SMB fundraising not specifically identified as student account directed. These funds are allocated each year at the June board meeting. Allocation is based on meeting the needs of each program and equity between programs. Typical uses are: instrument and capital equipment purchases, clinicians, uniforms, subsidizing program costs, and scholarships.

The sources of these funds are:

SMB Membership - Ongoing
Jazz Cabaret- This year's Swing Dance will be held on March 8, 2008.
Pancake Breakfast is held annually, on the first sunday of May. This fundraiser provides an opportunity to hear all of the SMB supported music groups as they perform at Saratoga High School located on Heriman Avenue in Saratoga. The date cooincides with the annual Saratoga Rotary Art show held across the street from Redwood Middle School at West Valley College.

Designated Student Account Fundraisers are designated fundraisers (e.g. wreath sales and cookie dough sales) that raise money for SMB and provide students the opportunity to raise money on their own behalf. Each designated fundraiser will have 25% of the gross sales after $25 gross sales credited to the selling students's student account. A copy of this document will be distributed to all music students at the beginning of each school year.

For a student to earn credit, all program fees must be current.

See Student Account Guidelines for additional information.

Sources of these funds are:
Cookie Dough (Nov 2006 Results)


Travel Fundraisers are determined by the class and benefit individual student travel accounts. 100% of the profit of specified fundraising done directly for the benefit of a particular music program or group will go into the student account of the individual responsible for the fundraising effort. These fundraisers will only be done on the advice of the relevant music teacher.