WAYS AND MEANS
PTAs work hard developing activities and programs in classrooms and throughout their communities that help children and families. Fund-raising should be done to secure resources for PTA programs—not overshadow them or be the primary focus.
A PTA may wish to establish one general committee that deals with all fund-raising events, or it may prefer to set up specific committees that deal with individual events. Click on the NYS PTA Guidelines on Fundraising.
The PTA may hold one “main” fund-raiser or a number of smaller ones. For every event the committee should consider the following:
The 3-to-1 Rule
When planning the year’s activities, PTAs should use the 3-to-1 rule. For every fund-raising activity, there should be at least three non fund-raising projects aimed at helping parents or children, or advocating for school improvements.
Questions to Consider When Planning a Fund-raiser:
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Does the program require children to purchase a product in order to participate?
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Is it expected or implied that children will be required to sell to others?
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If there are classroom materials, are they credible and accurate?
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Has the company produced the materials in partnership with a recognized authority?
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Are the materials complete and not deceiving or misleading by omission?
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Is the language and organization of material ageappropriate?
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Is the information designed to sell products?
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Do the text and illustrations uphold the PTA’s nondiscrimination policies?
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Is this a financial win-win situation where the PTA is benefiting financially or otherwise from the relationship?