As the president and founder of Custom Fundraising Solutions, Joe Matejka has helped schools across the nation to raise over $40 million. Joe Matejka’s mattress fundraiser concept has provided an opportunity for students to raise more money than the traditional yearly candy bar sale blitz. 

Schools use fundraisers to encourage student and parent involvement. However, for schools today, the need to raise money has gone beyond a simple bake sale. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has found that the majority of schools now provide less funding than they did before the Great Recession. Even worse, budgets continue to be cut in several states. Schools need to raise more money in order to provide students with the education they need to succeed. 

The money earned by fundraising is used for many things. Schools constantly need to upgrade their technology in order to provide relevant education to students. Many schools also focus on increasing their students’ physical activity by improving outdoor equipment. School supplies such as books for students and teachers are always required. Finally, extra funding helps to provide training for teachers and substitute teachers. There is a definite need for fundraising in our schools and, in turn, a need for creative and effective fundraising concepts.