Something else to mention about the "classifieds" section in our newsletter. We have on going "ads" with some of our parents who provide lawn care service, karate lessons, trash service, etc. The ads are ran as space allows and basically for each new person that starts using their service the PTO gets either a percentage or a set dollar amount for the referral. (We also include the person on a special page of our website with the same promotion.)

So far we have only made about $200 on it this year but that is $200 more then we had that would have otherwise been blank spots in the newsletter! And basically covered the cost of 2 of the newsletter printings!

Next year we are hoping to increase this to a "book" type of deal and encourage all parents with private businesses or services to advertise and twice a year we would put out a book at our cost (next to nothing since we can use the schools copier!) with the understanding we get monies back from each contact made through the book. Once again no way to track it but it will hopefully cover its own cost and provides a good parent/PTO relationship building tool.

I agree with Barb. These arrangements are very common and typically a win-win for all involved. We do it mostly with restaurants. Some have it as a percentage of all sales within a specific time frame; others require the customer identify themselves as being with our group. And sometimes the % is based on gross; other times net.

It pretty much relies on the honor system as far as the business telling you how much your portion is.

But these tend to be pretty easy to set up and foster relationships with businesses that may prove valuable at other times.

Kayla;142290 wrote: Have any of your PTOs partnered with a store or restaurant as a fundraiser where if the customer mentions that they are a part of your group, the store will credit your PTO with 10% (or whatever) of that sale? The deal is that the store or restaurant gets more visibility and the PTO gets money for doing nothing more than allowing the store or restaurant to use you as a vehicle of advertisement. I would want some disclaimer that we are not necessarily endorsing the products/meals sold. How do you monitor that we will be correctly credited with our percentage? If someone has successfully done this, I would love to hear how you work the fundraiser. Also, would this type of fundraising be ok in our designation as a (hopeful) 501C3? Thanks.

We do that type of fundraising at times. We normally try to work with only people who have a vested interest in our school (due to kids going there, etc.) to help ensure that we are more likely to get the proceeds as promised. How to track it on your own... not sure there is a way.

We don't do a disclaimer, we normally put it in the newsletter under the "classifieds" section and it is considered like any other paid advertisement in a newspaper setting.

And yes, from my experience it would be all right with the 501c3. The fundraising is actually a "donation" from the business for the percentage of sale. They aren't getting anything of value (since how can you really put a $ amount on the advertising) or in return.

Our PTO has been doing these partner restaurant program for years and the local restaurants have always mailed us checks based on the number of $ sold during a 5-8PM time slot on a certain day. One restaurant has forms send home which need to be given at the counter when ordering and the second restaurant just send us 15% from all sales from this time slot. We have also used a program called Save and Support Discount Card which offer discount cards for community restaurants. They have a website which discusses the program. PTO's can earn up to 96% of the cost based on sales price and #'s sold. Please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I can give you additional resources. Good Luck!

Have any of your PTOs partnered with a store or restaurant as a fundraiser where if the customer mentions that they are a part of your group, the store will credit your PTO with 10% (or whatever) of that sale? The deal is that the store or restaurant gets more visibility and the PTO gets money for doing nothing more than allowing the store or restaurant to use you as a vehicle of advertisement. I would want some disclaimer that we are not necessarily endorsing the products/meals sold. How do you monitor that we will be correctly credited with our percentage? If someone has successfully done this, I would love to hear how you work the fundraiser. Also, would this type of fundraising be ok in our designation as a (hopeful) 501C3? Thanks.