Why doesn’t DH’s family support DD’s fundraiser?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate fundraisers that highlight wealth disparities among students. It's really gross to give prizes to kids whose families/friends can afford to donate and I'm surprised you would even participate. Just give directly to the PTA. If I were a grandparent, I'd decline buying a ticket but offer a donation. Elementary aged kids are certsinly old enough to understand why fundraisers that have a financial barrier to participation are just wrong.

This is a valid point. So many schools talk about equity and go out of their way to hide which families get free food, but all that goes out the window for the fundraisers.

What's the alternative? Schools should just do without? And for those who say they just want to give money, I've worked in a fundraising capacity in many different places and they all say fundraising revenue declines when they do a check writing campaign. Turns out donors like the gimmicks and freebies and that's why they're so popular. People want to feel like they're getting something for their donation otherwise they won't donate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of people support fundraisers where the child has to do some type of work or interact (Girl Scout cookies; pancake breakfasts, car wash, bake sales, etc.). I am not a fan of fundraisers where a parent sends me a link asking for a donation to a cause I don't care about, providing something I don't want, and doesn't appear to teach the kid anything.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD is in 2nd grade and her school has an annual raffle fundraiser. People donate amazing prizes, but tickets are only $5 each and the 5 kids that sell the most tickets won a prices, as does the class that sells the most.

Every year I send an email and text to my extended family and DH’s which includes his parents, two aunts and uncles and his sister. And every year my parents and siblings each spend at least $50 buying tickets.

However, no one in DH’s family has ever bought an single ticket and I can’t understand why. They are all very financially secure so why not support their granddaughter? I made DH ask them the second year and they said they would do it but then never did.

Is this odd that not a single person in his family is willing to contribute just $5?

Your DD should be asking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of people support fundraisers where the child has to do some type of work or interact (Girl Scout cookies; pancake breakfasts, car wash, bake sales, etc.). I am not a fan of fundraisers where a parent sends me a link asking for a donation to a cause I don't care about, providing something I don't want, and doesn't appear to teach the kid anything.

+1

I disagree in this case. The car wash or GS cookies are to benefit a team for some activity or for the Girl Scouts to go on a fun trip, it's nice to have but not necessary. I don't think the kids need to learn the lesson of finding donors to provide the school with things they need because there aren't enough books, computers, decent playground equipment or whatever else they are fundraising for that benefits the entire school, even the kids who didn't raise any money. The kids shouldn't be in charge of doing any of this really, the adults should stepping up without waiting for the kids to ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate these fundraisers too and would never let my kids pester relatives or even neighbors.

I agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate fundraisers that highlight wealth disparities among students. It's really gross to give prizes to kids whose families/friends can afford to donate and I'm surprised you would even participate. Just give directly to the PTA. If I were a grandparent, I'd decline buying a ticket but offer a donation. Elementary aged kids are certsinly old enough to understand why fundraisers that have a financial barrier to participation are just wrong.

This is a valid point. So many schools talk about equity and go out of their way to hide which families get free food, but all that goes out the window for the fundraisers.

What's the alternative? Schools should just do without? And for those who say they just want to give money, I've worked in a fundraising capacity in many different places and they all say fundraising revenue declines when they do a check writing campaign. Turns out donors like the gimmicks and freebies and that's why they're so popular. People want to feel like they're getting something for their donation otherwise they won't donate.

Yes, the alternative is schools do without and learn to run on the taxpayer funds they have. Prioritize what they really need.

Or lobby for increased government funding.

[Anonymous]

Fabulous prizes! There is absolutely an alternative to this. Fundraising should not require children to be starry-eyes by fabulous prizes. And, people shouldn’t want to give only for the opportunity for children to win prizes. People saw the problem here, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate fundraisers that highlight wealth disparities among students. It's really gross to give prizes to kids whose families/friends can afford to donate and I'm surprised you would even participate. Just give directly to the PTA. If I were a grandparent, I'd decline buying a ticket but offer a donation. Elementary aged kids are certsinly old enough to understand why fundraisers that have a financial barrier to participation are just wrong.

This is a valid point. So many schools talk about equity and go out of their way to hide which families get free food, but all that goes out the window for the fundraisers.

What's the alternative? Schools should just do without? And for those who say they just want to give money, I've worked in a fundraising capacity in many different places and they all say fundraising revenue declines when they do a check writing campaign. Turns out donors like the gimmicks and freebies and that's why they're so popular. People want to feel like they're getting something for their donation otherwise they won't donate.

Yes, the alternative is schools do without and learn to run on the taxpayer funds they have. Prioritize what they really need.

Or lobby for increased government funding.

Ok. Feel free to do that for your kids and school, they won’t mind going without. The rest if us will provide whats needed. One fundraiser at a time.