As planning begins for next year and budgets tighten, yearbook programs may find themselves in a tenuous position. Costs are under scrutiny, and sometimes the yearbook is viewed as an expense to manage rather than an investment to protect. A strong yearbook is far more than a book on a shelf; It is an educational tool, a leadership program, a historical record, and one of the few lasting artifacts of a student’s school experience.

The school year has just begun, and your yearbook staff is probably buzzing with ideas about themes, coverage, and page layouts. But before you dive too deep into design, there’s a crucial piece to get rolling: fundraising.