We usually set goals. It seems like before I became pres the Box Top money was always set toward a goal. One year it was an outside water fountian (there is a story within itself) by the time I took over it was mulch, the next year it was mulch. We finally got that mulch, after I stepped down.
This past school year we found out in late fall that they needed some new computers so we put together a spring fundraiser. Typically spring fundraisers aren't big money makers because there are just too many other things like Girl Scout cookie sales and such going on, but we made a point of putting on the form that the money was being raised to purchase new computers for our school and we made more than enough money to cover the computers(we used the extra to buy some things off our teachers' wish lists). Everyone felt that having that specific goal on the forms made people more apt to buy and I personally think it helped the kids with their "sales pitch" because they could tell potential customers why they were selling the items.
This year we are planning on doing this with our big fundraiser in the fall-we will list specific programs and items that the money will be used for.
On a similar note, we are planning on really communicating on a regular basis what the money we raise go toward in our newsletters and by publishing our budget and the goals achieved(or not) throughout the year. We're hoping it will let more people actually see for themselves what our group does and perhaps increase involvement in our group.
Does your PTO/PTA set a goal every year? Like for gym equip., playground equip., etc?
We never have but I think it would motivate more parents to participate in our fall fundraiser which is our main fundraiser. You can write and explain until your blue in the face about all the things we do (pay for field trips, assemblies, etc.) but I don't think that has much of an impact. I just wondered what the rest of your PTO's do on this matter. Thanks for lending an ear and hopefully some input.
