Elementary pta fundraising event

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

I’d be against this. Alcohol should be part of a school pta fundraiser

[Anonymous]

It’s a fundraiser. It needs to raise money. Have you been to a benefit dinner before? It’s a similar idea. And yes, these are usually foundation events not PTA.

[Anonymous]

These foundations are ridiculous and totally inequitable. The one at our school sends out weekly emails asking for money to the PTA listserv, and the PTA already asked people to donate to a separate fund over and above the PTA dues. This seems so unfair to kids who attend schools without a week-funded PTA and/or foundation.

[Anonymous]

Our school foundation did this one year but I think it was a lot of work and poorly attended so they never repeated. I know some of the parents involved and they are nice enough with the best intentions. I think our school just doenst have enough of a schmoozy set to make it work. We do like the bingo night though! I think that’s the best fundraiser other than just asking for money. The kids do seem to like the things they get for the school.

[Anonymous]

I would rather just give the $100 or $200 and not go the lane event.

[Anonymous]

No way this is for the PTA. Likely their Foundation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would rather just give the $100 or $200 and not go the lane event.

Even if you don't go there are always donations and sponsorships available. But it takes money to make money and these events can make a lot of money. Which is good for all the kids. I don't get why people are so bitter that other people want to open their pocketbooks to help all the students.

[Anonymous]

I work at a W school and our foundation does this to raise money for things like instruments and professional development. Teachers go for free if they want to go, so I don't know what they charge families, but they are generally hosted by well-meaning parents with nice houses. The foundation is the fundraising arm of the school, not the PTA. There's no question that it's not the same situation at every school, with W schools probably able to raise more money than schools with fewer wealthy families. The parents who host are generally working parents though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work at a W school and our foundation does this to raise money for things like instruments and professional development. Teachers go for free if they want to go, so I don't know what they charge families, but they are generally hosted by well-meaning parents with nice houses. The foundation is the fundraising arm of the school, not the PTA. There's no question that it's not the same situation at every school, with W schools probably able to raise more money than schools with fewer wealthy families. The parents who host are generally working parents though.

Foundation can bypass mcps and the pta. So they are very useful if you want to throw money at the problem. I think it is fabulous that there are well funded PTAs in some schools. My kids always went to poor schools, but the rich schools provided a road map to emulate and some clever parents were able to bring the same programs to the poor schools for pennies.

[Anonymous]

It’s a fundraiser. Meaning the objective is to make money.

They’ve paid for a venue and are feeding you dinner, providing an open bar, and a band or DJ. How much do you think that should cost for an event designed to generate a profit?

Stop being cheap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

Yes. There are costs to rent the space and throw the event, which is what most of the ticket price covers. Usually the auction items and other donations bring in money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

Either this isn't real or the PTA leadership is very misguided. PTAs have strict limitations on use of fund to purchase or advertise alcohol. I've been involved in MCPS PTAs for 20+ years, including ES PTAs in in two "W" attendance areas, and have never heard of anything like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

Either this isn't real or the PTA leadership is very misguided. PTAs have strict limitations on use of fund to purchase or advertise alcohol. I've been involved in MCPS PTAs for 20+ years, including ES PTAs in in two "W" attendance areas, and have never heard of anything like this.

Pretty sure I know what school this is (otherwise my school in has the exact same pricing and event soon), and it is the school foundation not the pta organizing this event.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

Either this isn't real or the PTA leadership is very misguided. PTAs have strict limitations on use of fund to purchase or advertise alcohol. I've been involved in MCPS PTAs for 20+ years, including ES PTAs in in two "W" attendance areas, and have never heard of anything like this.

Pretty sure I know what school this is (otherwise my school in has the exact same pricing and event soon), and it is the school foundation not the pta organizing this event.

+ 1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would rather just give the $100 or $200 and not go the lane event.

Even if you don't go there are always donations and sponsorships available. But it takes money to make money and these events can make a lot of money. Which is good for all the kids. I don't get why people are so bitter that other people want to open their pocketbooks to help all the students.

It may help all students at that school, but it is really inequitable to students across the country. That's a key reason I don't donate to our school's foundation.