UNDERSTANDING STRATEGY AND FUNDRAISING

UNDERSTANDING STRATEGY AND FUNDRAISING A. Definition of Strategy Strategy comes from the Greek word strategos, which means General. Therefore the word strategy literally means "Art and General". This word refers to what is the main concern of the top management of the organization. Specifically, strategy is the placement of the company's mission, the determination of organizational goals by binding external and internal forces, the formulation of certain policies and strategies to achieve goals and ensure their proper implementation, so that the main goals and objectives of the organization will be achieved (Antonio, 2001). Strategy is an overall approach related to ideas, planning, and execution, an activity within a certain period of time. In a good strategy there is coordination of the work team, has a theme to identify supporting factors in accordance with the principles of implementing ideas rationally, efficiency in funding and has tactics to achieve goals effectively (Tjiptono, 200: 17). B. Definition of Fundraising Local fundraising can increase the income received by schools from the government. In the government's perspective, schools that are said to be of quality must meet national education standards (SNP) including: a) Graduates, b) Curriculum, c) Learning process, d) Assessment, e) teachers and education personnel, f) facilities and infrastructure, g) management, h) financing. Quality in the world of education includes 3 stages based on SNP consisting of input, process, and output. (Novita, 2017: 4). In order to realize an effective and efficient educational institution, it can be seen from the quality of the graduates produced. One indicator of the quality of graduates of an educational institution is their acceptance in society. To achieve several indicators of success in the quality of graduates, educational institutions must also carry out systematic management activities in the implementation of their education. There are several components to achieve quality graduates. Starting from the fulfillment of educational facilities and infrastructure, both physical and non-physical, teaching and education personnel, and the most dominant is financing. (Novita, 2017: 7). The problem when examined the root cause is about unstable funding. Schools are too dependent on BOS (School Operational Assistance) funds in school funding activities. This will have a negative impact that disrupts the stability of school funding when BOS funds cannot be obtained according to the planned date. Due to the difficulties in funding education, finally the organizers of elementary education units try to cover all operational needs starting from collecting or asking for help from the school committee to raise education funds. Therefore, schools must conduct local fundraising that can increase the income received by schools from the government. Perhaps more importantly, this kind of activity brings schools and their communities closer together, they create the critical partnership discussed earlier. By engaging in joint fundraising activities, schools and their leadership enjoy moral support from the community and the community can learn more about what is happening in the school and its strengths and challenges. As we know, public elementary schools are not allowed to charge fees or collect any mandatory fees. The right of every child to receive basic education should not be compromised. However, schools can increase their funding allocation through fundraising by asking for help from the local community. The scope of fundraising varies widely. Some urban schools are able to conduct activities that generate substantial revenue. The scope in poorer areas is more limited. However, if parents and community members are involved in fundraising, this will increase their sense of ownership and pride in the school. Involvement in fundraising can help community members realize the value of education and their school in particular. Local fundraising should be linked to the implementation of a School Improvement Plan that has been agreed upon by the school and its community. Thus, school fundraising is the practice of raising money to support educational enrichment programs by a school or school group, (e.g., parent-teacher organizations, booster clubs, etc.). One of the most common practices is product fundraising. Schools and other non-profit organizations raise money each year by selling popular consumer goods. In addition, schools and school groups such as Parent Organizations and Parent Teacher Associations find many creative ways to raise funds, from bake sales, dinner parties, auctions and school carnivals to more aggressive advertising, affinity programs, grant writing, and direct solicitation of donations.