PTO fundraising advice for a newbie

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Questions for you - what specifically are you fundraising for? Pizza at school events? Food and childcare at PTO meetings? Enrichment activities/field trips? That may help tailor the responses.

Thank you. Great question. At this point, we are just hoping to help support the school in whatever way the principal/assistant principal and teachers ask. This year, for instance, we helped fund the annual picnic and a teacher appreciation lunch, helped a staffer attend a virtual conference for professional development, and gave out smallish Amazon gift certificates - $100 I think - for every teacher to buy classroom supplies.

I've heard that schools with wealthier demographics than ours are able to do big things like provide every teacher with an aide, fund a mindfulness coach...all sort of wonderful things.

Our school has significant needs and we would love to be able to offer that kind of support some day. For instance, teachers tell us the school could use more mental health counselors since many students have experienced trauma.

But for now, something like bringing in new staff is totally pie in the sky. We are thinking small - money to help with events and celebrations, fill in resource gaps for teachers, that sort of thing.

If you're able to do that many $100 gift cards, you're actually doing pretty well. Where is that money coming from?

Well, that's good to hear! It's a very small school so it wasn't that many gift cards.

For now, money is mostly coming from parents like me who have some disposal income and are planning to stay at the school long-term. There are maybe 10 or so of us who made significant donations ($100 or more).

Honestly you'll never get a ton of money from parents of young kids. They just have too many other expenses.

Form a tiny grants committee (like two people) and set a goal of applying to one grant each. It gets a lot easier after the first few, because you can recycle a lot of the text. You can ask the teachers for suggestions, sparing them the work of doing the applications themselves. Do not neglect in-kind grants such as Kennedy Center's Get On The Bus. You can estimate a value and include it in your year-end PTO report to the school.

Consider getting insurance for the PTO, it isn't that expensive. Fraud happens all too often!

Congrats on your transition from baby PTO to a growing organization!

Thank you!

I love this idea! Constructive and doable! Is there a clearinghouse or resource for local (or not local?) grants someone can point me to?

Grantsforteachers.com

I think if you make an effort to befriend other Title I PTO parents you can find one. Try reaching out to Langley, they've recently made this transition and they're a very warm and active PTO.

https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/partnerships/performance-access-programs/
https://www.grantsforteachers.com/corporate-grants/Target_Store_Field_Trip_Grants_/grantdetails_184.aspx
https://www.aad.org/public/public-health/shade-structure-grants

Be thinking not "How can I get money", but "How can I add value". You can do in-kind drives amongst your membership. For example for outgrown books, outgrown uniforms, winter coats. But you don't want to be dumping a bunch of shabby old stuff on the school staff-- a parent has to step up and handle it, cull it, and make sure everything donated is wanted and dispose of what's not needed. You can involve the older elementary students as a community service project.

Another worthwhile thing is having parents scout and network for free field trips, classroom visitors, and other enrichments. We've had things like visiting a restaurant for a tour of the kitchen, a parent's chamber music group came to demonstrate instruments, and a college athletic team came to "coach PE" and the kids really loved it. Remember that high school students in DC need to accrue community service hours-- if you're located near a high school, see if they will partner with you on something.

I believe that all of us have a contribution to make, it's just a matter of finding out what it is. Some people are great chaperones. Others are excellent at DCRA nonprofit paperwork. One of our parents knows how to repair bedraggled library books. Others can operate a grill. There is plenty to do, people just need you to see the connections.

[Anonymous]

Don't forget recruiting, OP. Does your school have unfilled seats? Every empty seats is costing you at least $10,000! Up your recruitment and it will pay off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't forget recruiting, OP. Does your school have unfilled seats? Every empty seats is costing you at least $10,000! Up your recruitment and it will pay off.

We are working on this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Questions for you - what specifically are you fundraising for? Pizza at school events? Food and childcare at PTO meetings? Enrichment activities/field trips? That may help tailor the responses.

Thank you. Great question. At this point, we are just hoping to help support the school in whatever way the principal/assistant principal and teachers ask. This year, for instance, we helped fund the annual picnic and a teacher appreciation lunch, helped a staffer attend a virtual conference for professional development, and gave out smallish Amazon gift certificates - $100 I think - for every teacher to buy classroom supplies.

I've heard that schools with wealthier demographics than ours are able to do big things like provide every teacher with an aide, fund a mindfulness coach...all sort of wonderful things.

Our school has significant needs and we would love to be able to offer that kind of support some day. For instance, teachers tell us the school could use more mental health counselors since many students have experienced trauma.

But for now, something like bringing in new staff is totally pie in the sky. We are thinking small - money to help with events and celebrations, fill in resource gaps for teachers, that sort of thing.

If you're able to do that many $100 gift cards, you're actually doing pretty well. Where is that money coming from?

Well, that's good to hear! It's a very small school so it wasn't that many gift cards.

For now, money is mostly coming from parents like me who have some disposal income and are planning to stay at the school long-term. There are maybe 10 or so of us who made significant donations ($100 or more).

Honestly you'll never get a ton of money from parents of young kids. They just have too many other expenses.

Form a tiny grants committee (like two people) and set a goal of applying to one grant each. It gets a lot easier after the first few, because you can recycle a lot of the text. You can ask the teachers for suggestions, sparing them the work of doing the applications themselves. Do not neglect in-kind grants such as Kennedy Center's Get On The Bus. You can estimate a value and include it in your year-end PTO report to the school.

Consider getting insurance for the PTO, it isn't that expensive. Fraud happens all too often!

Congrats on your transition from baby PTO to a growing organization!

Thank you!

I love this idea! Constructive and doable! Is there a clearinghouse or resource for local (or not local?) grants someone can point me to?

Grantsforteachers.com

I think if you make an effort to befriend other Title I PTO parents you can find one. Try reaching out to Langley, they've recently made this transition and they're a very warm and active PTO.

https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/partnerships/performance-access-programs/
https://www.grantsforteachers.com/corporate-grants/Target_Store_Field_Trip_Grants_/grantdetails_184.aspx
https://www.aad.org/public/public-health/shade-structure-grants

Be thinking not "How can I get money", but "How can I add value". You can do in-kind drives amongst your membership. For example for outgrown books, outgrown uniforms, winter coats. But you don't want to be dumping a bunch of shabby old stuff on the school staff-- a parent has to step up and handle it, cull it, and make sure everything donated is wanted and dispose of what's not needed. You can involve the older elementary students as a community service project.

Another worthwhile thing is having parents scout and network for free field trips, classroom visitors, and other enrichments. We've had things like visiting a restaurant for a tour of the kitchen, a parent's chamber music group came to demonstrate instruments, and a college athletic team came to "coach PE" and the kids really loved it. Remember that high school students in DC need to accrue community service hours-- if you're located near a high school, see if they will partner with you on something.

I believe that all of us have a contribution to make, it's just a matter of finding out what it is. Some people are great chaperones. Others are excellent at DCRA nonprofit paperwork. One of our parents knows how to repair bedraggled library books. Others can operate a grill. There is plenty to do, people just need you to see the connections.

This is so thoughtful and helpful - thank you!

Are you a Langley parent? If so...who is a good person to reach there? I've heard their PTO is doing great work to support the school and I agree we can learn from them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Questions for you - what specifically are you fundraising for? Pizza at school events? Food and childcare at PTO meetings? Enrichment activities/field trips? That may help tailor the responses.

Thank you. Great question. At this point, we are just hoping to help support the school in whatever way the principal/assistant principal and teachers ask. This year, for instance, we helped fund the annual picnic and a teacher appreciation lunch, helped a staffer attend a virtual conference for professional development, and gave out smallish Amazon gift certificates - $100 I think - for every teacher to buy classroom supplies.

I've heard that schools with wealthier demographics than ours are able to do big things like provide every teacher with an aide, fund a mindfulness coach...all sort of wonderful things.

Our school has significant needs and we would love to be able to offer that kind of support some day. For instance, teachers tell us the school could use more mental health counselors since many students have experienced trauma.

But for now, something like bringing in new staff is totally pie in the sky. We are thinking small - money to help with events and celebrations, fill in resource gaps for teachers, that sort of thing.

If you're able to do that many $100 gift cards, you're actually doing pretty well. Where is that money coming from?

Well, that's good to hear! It's a very small school so it wasn't that many gift cards.

For now, money is mostly coming from parents like me who have some disposal income and are planning to stay at the school long-term. There are maybe 10 or so of us who made significant donations ($100 or more).

Honestly you'll never get a ton of money from parents of young kids. They just have too many other expenses.

Form a tiny grants committee (like two people) and set a goal of applying to one grant each. It gets a lot easier after the first few, because you can recycle a lot of the text. You can ask the teachers for suggestions, sparing them the work of doing the applications themselves. Do not neglect in-kind grants such as Kennedy Center's Get On The Bus. You can estimate a value and include it in your year-end PTO report to the school.

Consider getting insurance for the PTO, it isn't that expensive. Fraud happens all too often!

Congrats on your transition from baby PTO to a growing organization!

Thank you!

I love this idea! Constructive and doable! Is there a clearinghouse or resource for local (or not local?) grants someone can point me to?

Grantsforteachers.com

I think if you make an effort to befriend other Title I PTO parents you can find one. Try reaching out to Langley, they've recently made this transition and they're a very warm and active PTO.

https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/partnerships/performance-access-programs/
https://www.grantsforteachers.com/corporate-grants/Target_Store_Field_Trip_Grants_/grantdetails_184.aspx
https://www.aad.org/public/public-health/shade-structure-grants

Be thinking not "How can I get money", but "How can I add value". You can do in-kind drives amongst your membership. For example for outgrown books, outgrown uniforms, winter coats. But you don't want to be dumping a bunch of shabby old stuff on the school staff-- a parent has to step up and handle it, cull it, and make sure everything donated is wanted and dispose of what's not needed. You can involve the older elementary students as a community service project.

Another worthwhile thing is having parents scout and network for free field trips, classroom visitors, and other enrichments. We've had things like visiting a restaurant for a tour of the kitchen, a parent's chamber music group came to demonstrate instruments, and a college athletic team came to "coach PE" and the kids really loved it. Remember that high school students in DC need to accrue community service hours-- if you're located near a high school, see if they will partner with you on something.

I believe that all of us have a contribution to make, it's just a matter of finding out what it is. Some people are great chaperones. Others are excellent at DCRA nonprofit paperwork. One of our parents knows how to repair bedraggled library books. Others can operate a grill. There is plenty to do, people just need you to see the connections.

This is so thoughtful and helpful - thank you!

Are you a Langley parent? If so...who is a good person to reach there? I've heard their PTO is doing great work to support the school and I agree we can learn from them.

I'm not, I just live nearby. Try the main email address [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Somebody mentioned Harris Teeter. I was going to say Giant has worked in the suburbs. I believe they gave us a gift card. Are you asking at the beginning of the year/month? This was years ago, but somewhere (I think it was at a Giant) told me they'd already given their allotment for that month/year but they did say when to come back to ask.

Also keep a Google Sheets file for contact info and responses so you know where to ask next time.

Are there any swim schools, breweries, massage places, bowling places, karate places, other after school programs, orthodontists? All of those and more have donated to our school. They may want to donate in kind goods and/or get recognized as a sponsor. If you can get, for instance, a gift card from a massage place or brewery you can have a door prize for a teacher lunch or just a random drawing for teacher appreciation.

[Anonymous]

Yes, gather and hoard people's card numbers for Harris Teeter and Giant so that you can re-upload annually without needing each person to do it. You don't get a ton of money from this, but it's easy and every little bit helps.

[Anonymous]

I think step 1 is to decide if an auction appeals to you. A lot of schools with a majority low-income or ELL population think it isn't suitable. Other schools do an auction but it's almost more like a random drawing for each prize rather than people bidding dollar amounts.

If you don't want to do an auction, you can consider an "annual appeal" where you just ask for money and offer people sponsorship logos on a handout or PTO website or on a sign outside the school. If you can show yourself to be a well-organized and professional shop, people will be more inclined to step up.

And yes, don't emphasize poverty and need. Instead, emphasize your excellent staff, your delightful kids, and that fundraising is normal for DC public schools because you want the children to have a more enrichment than the city budget will cover. Any success stories you can tell will be very helpful here-- if you can share photos of student work (not photos of students!), or a brief interview with a teacher, any awards or other types of recognition such as a teaching award, an article they've been mentioned in, really anything is good.

See if you can get a parent who's good at photography to work on your website. Get it looking nice with happy kids and professional-looking head shots for the teachers. Even if you have to pay, I think it's worth it. Your website is one of the first things donors and incoming parents look to.

[Anonymous]

Are you asking for money or giving them an option of money or X? Maybe a law firm would like to sponsor a bounce house or carnival game.

I have helped with fundraising for a big event with prizes. We emailed a letter with the school logo saying what PTA we were. We described the event, how many people we expected to attend, asked them for a donation or types of items we were looking for, said we could come by and pick them up, described how we would advertise their company at the event (program/part of slide show), said it was tax deductible and provided the EIN.

This worked pretty well, but also we were starting from the Google Sheet I mentioned above that had a list of places that had and had not donated in the past.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you asking for money or giving them an option of money or X? Maybe a law firm would like to sponsor a bounce house or carnival game.

I have helped with fundraising for a big event with prizes. We emailed a letter with the school logo saying what PTA we were. We described the event, how many people we expected to attend, asked them for a donation or types of items we were looking for, said we could come by and pick them up, described how we would advertise their company at the event (program/part of slide show), said it was tax deductible and provided the EIN.

This worked pretty well, but also we were starting from the Google Sheet I mentioned above that had a list of places that had and had not donated in the past.

If we didn't have an email, we took a copy of the letter in person, which may be more of what you have to do the first year.

[Anonymous]

Only a handful of schools hire aides, and only 1 in significant numbers.

[Anonymous]

An auction is tremendous work. Not an early step.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only a handful of schools hire aides, and only 1 in significant numbers.

OP, don't make hiring aides your goal. It costs a ton-- even at minimum wage it's over $50,000 each, when taxes and stuff like that is taken into consideration. And then it's a whole to-do over who gets the aide and whether people are happy with it. Better to set a manageable goal for your fundraising, and then spread that fundraising around many grade levels and topics, so that everyone gets something. Do NOT neglect the needs of the upper grades-- that's a common mistake among new PTOs. Some events, some field trips, some books, and some lasting physical items like tables and chairs.

Be sure to communicate your success! When the PTO pays for something, try to communicate that in whatever way you can. Do an annual report (can be like 2 pages long) on what was obtained and how it was spent. This kind of transparency builds donor relationships. Your $25 a year donors are next year's $50 a year donors, so treat them well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Questions for you - what specifically are you fundraising for? Pizza at school events? Food and childcare at PTO meetings? Enrichment activities/field trips? That may help tailor the responses.

Thank you. Great question. At this point, we are just hoping to help support the school in whatever way the principal/assistant principal and teachers ask. This year, for instance, we helped fund the annual picnic and a teacher appreciation lunch, helped a staffer attend a virtual conference for professional development, and gave out smallish Amazon gift certificates - $100 I think - for every teacher to buy classroom supplies.

I've heard that schools with wealthier demographics than ours are able to do big things like provide every teacher with an aide, fund a mindfulness coach...all sort of wonderful things.

Our school has significant needs and we would love to be able to offer that kind of support some day. For instance, teachers tell us the school could use more mental health counselors since many students have experienced trauma.

But for now, something like bringing in new staff is totally pie in the sky. We are thinking small - money to help with events and celebrations, fill in resource gaps for teachers, that sort of thing.

Teachers don’t need all that stuff, especially when you’re dealing with poor families. Focus on what you need not what you want. Focus on sending items vs sending money. You can get a pack of pencils for $1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Questions for you - what specifically are you fundraising for? Pizza at school events? Food and childcare at PTO meetings? Enrichment activities/field trips? That may help tailor the responses.

Thank you. Great question. At this point, we are just hoping to help support the school in whatever way the principal/assistant principal and teachers ask. This year, for instance, we helped fund the annual picnic and a teacher appreciation lunch, helped a staffer attend a virtual conference for professional development, and gave out smallish Amazon gift certificates - $100 I think - for every teacher to buy classroom supplies.

I've heard that schools with wealthier demographics than ours are able to do big things like provide every teacher with an aide, fund a mindfulness coach...all sort of wonderful things.

Our school has significant needs and we would love to be able to offer that kind of support some day. For instance, teachers tell us the school could use more mental health counselors since many students have experienced trauma.

But for now, something like bringing in new staff is totally pie in the sky. We are thinking small - money to help with events and celebrations, fill in resource gaps for teachers, that sort of thing.

If you're able to do that many $100 gift cards, you're actually doing pretty well. Where is that money coming from?

Well, that's good to hear! It's a very small school so it wasn't that many gift cards.

For now, money is mostly coming from parents like me who have some disposal income and are planning to stay at the school long-term. There are maybe 10 or so of us who made significant donations ($100 or more).

You need to change your thinking. $25 might be very significant for some families, treat every donation as significant.