Elementary pta fundraising event

[Anonymous]

Our mcps elementary school pta is hosting an annual fundraising event of dinner, all you can drink bar, and dancing. Tickets cost $100 per person- so $200 for a couple. Is it normal for school fundraisers to have such a high ticket cost? I’d prefer a cash bar and lower price. It seems like an event that would only attract a limited subset of the parents. Is this the normal cost for these things?

[Anonymous]

That’s one way to make sure any middle or lower middle class family who managed to get in bounds knows they really aren’t welcome

[Anonymous]

Wow. You must be in a W school catchment or something. That would totally price us downcounty folk out! Though, the current ES parents are a lot wealthier overall than those of us w/ HS/college kids. Lots of Cap Hill/Dupont people w/ money moving here. So, that may be us soon!

[Anonymous]

At our high school, the Booster Club (kind of like a PTA for athletics) also had a $100 price tag per person for the fundraiser. It definitely feels like they don't want to be inclusive of everyone.

Maybe you can go to a meeting and share how you feel? I think the open bar vs cash bar suggestion is a good one.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like the fundraising event is just a good excuse for a party!

[Anonymous]

Ours had a similar event as well. I thought it was cliquey, and when you added on the cost of babysitting and the fundraising tickets, it was an out of touch and very expensive fundraiser for our public elementary school.
The pictures of the event showed the same rich group of families. That event never sat right with me.

On the other hand, it raised money for the school, which is always a good thing.

[Anonymous]

Ours hasn't had one since the pandemic, but IIRC it tickets were in that range for the foundation, not the PTA. I give to the PTA fund and skip fundraiser parties, and I don't give to the foundation.

[Anonymous]

You have to realize that some events are designated as community building events, that are budgeted to come out as a net loss or even, and some are designated as fundraisers, where you do really need to bring in revenue in order to fund all the pta initiatives that support the students and the school. I totally get why this might be off putting to some, but if the fundraiser is intended to raise money, it needs to come from somewhere. I agree a cash bar could be considered, but there may actually be PTA bylaws dictating rules regarding the purchase of alcohol (these do exist). In any event, if you’d rather it be handled differently, you should volunteer to be the event chair next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have to realize that some events are designated as community building events, that are budgeted to come out as a net loss or even, and some are designated as fundraisers, where you do really need to bring in revenue in order to fund all the pta initiatives that support the students and the school. I totally get why this might be off putting to some, but if the fundraiser is intended to raise money, it needs to come from somewhere. I agree a cash bar could be considered, but there may actually be PTA bylaws dictating rules regarding the purchase of alcohol (these do exist). In any event, if you’d rather it be handled differently, you should volunteer to be the event chair next year.

Alcohol is allowed via the insurance, bylaws don't exclude it. It is a bit gross to charge $100. I could afford it and wouldn't go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At our high school, the Booster Club (kind of like a PTA for athletics) also had a $100 price tag per person for the fundraiser. It definitely feels like they don't want to be inclusive of everyone.

Maybe you can go to a meeting and share how you feel? I think the open bar vs cash bar suggestion is a good one.

OP- Good idea. I will go to a meeting and bring it up. I realize it is a fundraising event that needs to bring in a lot of money, but I am also wondering if they made some minor changes they could attract a larger crowd and in turn raise more/similar amounts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ours had a similar event as well. I thought it was cliquey, and when you added on the cost of babysitting and the fundraising tickets, it was an out of touch and very expensive fundraiser for our public elementary school.
The pictures of the event showed the same rich group of families. That event never sat right with me.

On the other hand, it raised money for the school, which is always a good thing.

It is? What is the money for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have to realize that some events are designated as community building events, that are budgeted to come out as a net loss or even, and some are designated as fundraisers, where you do really need to bring in revenue in order to fund all the pta initiatives that support the students and the school. I totally get why this might be off putting to some, but if the fundraiser is intended to raise money, it needs to come from somewhere. I agree a cash bar could be considered, but there may actually be PTA bylaws dictating rules regarding the purchase of alcohol (these do exist). In any event, if you’d rather it be handled differently, you should volunteer to be the event chair next year.

Good BS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ours had a similar event as well. I thought it was cliquey, and when you added on the cost of babysitting and the fundraising tickets, it was an out of touch and very expensive fundraiser for our public elementary school.
The pictures of the event showed the same rich group of families. That event never sat right with me.

On the other hand, it raised money for the school, which is always a good thing.

It is? What is the money for?

If it's not for the PTA, then it's probably for a fundraiser their school "foundation" -- mostly minor pet projects of the plastic set. You know, some new equipment for classrooms here and there or amenities/enrichment for the students or staff, that sort of thing. Mostly, it's an excuse to have a party organized by and thrown by the bored wives of law firm partners who don't have anything better to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ours had a similar event as well. I thought it was cliquey, and when you added on the cost of babysitting and the fundraising tickets, it was an out of touch and very expensive fundraiser for our public elementary school.
The pictures of the event showed the same rich group of families. That event never sat right with me.

On the other hand, it raised money for the school, which is always a good thing.

It is? What is the money for?

If it's not for the PTA, then it's probably for a fundraiser their school "foundation" -- mostly minor pet projects of the plastic set. You know, some new equipment for classrooms here and there or amenities/enrichment for the students or staff, that sort of thing. Mostly, it's an excuse to have a party organized by and thrown by the bored wives of law firm partners who don't have anything better to do.

Nice, great way to slam those who actually help. Funny how you are posting here during work hours yet slamming sahm. Get back to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ours had a similar event as well. I thought it was cliquey, and when you added on the cost of babysitting and the fundraising tickets, it was an out of touch and very expensive fundraiser for our public elementary school.
The pictures of the event showed the same rich group of families. That event never sat right with me.

On the other hand, it raised money for the school, which is always a good thing.

It is? What is the money for?

If it's not for the PTA, then it's probably for a fundraiser their school "foundation" -- mostly minor pet projects of the plastic set. You know, some new equipment for classrooms here and there or amenities/enrichment for the students or staff, that sort of thing. Mostly, it's an excuse to have a party organized by and thrown by the bored wives of law firm partners who don't have anything better to do.

Nice, great way to slam those who actually help. Funny how you are posting here during work hours yet slamming sahm. Get back to work.

Oh sweetie, you know why you're doing it and it's not "for the kids"!