Last year our fundraiser did poorly also, netting us maybe 1/5 of the funds we normally raise. However we had other events during the year that provided us with some profits, especially our silent auction, and the year worked out okay. It helped that everyone, particularly the school staff, got it into their heads that we didn't have much money even after our bank balance was semi-okay and restricted their funds requests.

We are a PTA so we can have 2 fundraisers per year and we did consider holding one in the Spring if it was necessary, but luckily we didn't need to.

How many times do I read a story like this? If you netted over $10,000 on cookie dough, why did you switch? You said everyone hated it. Was "everyone" just four or five people? It worked well for you. Was there a problem with the cookie dough sale that could have been corrected for this year? It is obvious your community was not very thrilled with a catalog sale either.

I do not know why you are limited to one sale. Is it a district rule? You might want to make sure. Some of these "rules" can be tweaked and changed if necessary. Perhaps you could run another sale with the student council and you split the profits. Good luck!

If you're only allowed the one fundraiser, which is now over and done with, it would seem the only option would be to make your PTO's activities for the year match your budget.

I wanted to share my first PTO President experience with our annual fundraiser:

Out of 390 students, we had 45 turn orders in for a whopping total of $4087. I am in total disgust. I don't know what to do with these people around here. We are only allowed one fundraiser a year. Last year they netted $10000 in cookie dough sales, but everybody complained about it. So this year, we went with Signature Fundraising (great to work with) for the variety and prices. We didn't even do half of last year's sales!!!

Any suggestions? I need help!!! We won't have enough to get through the next 3 months of PTO.