Christian school principal skydives to celebrate raising $73,000, offers advice to others raising funds

Pine Harbor Christian Academy in Hastings, Minn. recently celebrated a successful fundraiser in a unique way: Principal Scott Urban jumped out of an airplane. 

The school’s annual fundraiser, called ‘Minute to Give It’, always ends with Urban pulling off a challenge to garner interest in the school’s development. He has slept on the school roof overnight while it was snowing, been duct-taped to a wall by students, and shaved his facial hair. 

This year, Urban skydived after donations had come in at around $66,000. After the jump, money continued to come in, bringing the total to $73,000, more than double the original $35,000 goal. 

The Lion asked Urban about what makes the school’s fundraising successful and what he might tell other Christian schools looking to raise funds. He said schools should find ways to get parents and students involved in their capital campaigns. “We asked our students to ask five people to give; if they did, we offered them a party to reward them. It also helps to have a great school with great parent boosters who promote in the community.”

Urban also encouraged schools to look outside of their already existing donor base and fundraising streams. “You have to look for new avenues outside of what you’re already doing.

He also said educators and parents should ask the Lord to bless their efforts. “Seek the Lord and He’ll provide,” Urban said. “I didn’t raise the money; it was our community that did all the work. The Lord is the One who gives growth to our efforts.”

He added that to draw attention to your cause, “communicate that the money will go to something that will benefit students. We advertised things that would make learning more fun for the students.”

Pine Harbor plans on using their funds for student scholarships, building and classroom expansions, musical instruments, and developing their STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math) work area.