<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>walker8888: When I inquired, I was told by last years treasurer that every year the PTO needs to leave "start-up" costs for the next PTO.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The amount being carried over is really irrelevant, so long as the amount being spent is roughly equal to the amount being raised. The exception to that rule, of course, being funds raised as part of major multi-year efforts. In organizations which raise money this year to fund next year's budget, they obviously carry over the full amount raised.

Assuming that your group is like ours, that this year's fundraising is generally for this year's events, some carry over is a good idea. Basically, you need enough to cover the expenses that occur before you have your first fundraiser. How much that needs to be is dependent totally on your circumstances.

I have seen resources say 50% of your annual budget. I have seen resources say 10% of your annual budget. I have heard an Associate Superintendent of our district say $1000. There is no consensus.

We need enough to pay for the ice cream social at the start of school. We help pay for field trips, and grades 3-6 will have one before the fall fundraiser. We also will have one major cultural arts assembly. Toss in some unusual expenses, like a special opportunity the art teacher had with a funding deadline of the second day of school. I would be uncomfortable carrying over only $1000.

But remember that the purpose of our organizations is NOT to be fundraisers. Fundraising exists to support the activities that meet our goals of providing the best educational opportunities for our kids. So, if raise about $12K a year you want to spend about $12K a year, but having $2K in carryover might not be a bad figure for you.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>I was told that the money we raise should be spent on "capitol expenditures" <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Do you need to see the statistics on student performance in homes with parental involvement? Did you see the Department of Education study quoted in the latest PTOtoday? Students whose mothers are involved just three times a year are 20% more likely to get mostly As; and with fathers it is 42%!

Events that get parents involved may not spend the money on the future of your building, but they will do wonders for the future of your students!

I am currently the new President of a PTO of an elementary school. For the past 2 years I was the fundraising chairperson. I came up with the idea of holding a walkathon at the beginning of the school year to raise our funds at 100% profit. We have raised over $12,000 each year the past two years. I was a little shocked to see our balance this year start out at $14,000+. When I inquired, I was told by last years treasurer that every year the PTO needs to leave "start-up" costs for the next PTO. We only raised $12,000 but we carried over $14,000??!! I thought the money raised should be spent the same year it is raised, and other parents I have talked to think their hard earned time and money should be spent the year the money is raised...I agree. I was also told that the money should not be spent on "dances" and "family nights" because they are things that "once the money is spent on these things, it's gone". I was told that the money we raise should be spent on "capitol expenditures" (things that will last years to come in the school). I think dances and family nights are what parents come to expect as part of what they raise, and also things that will improve the school for years to come. Can anyone offer their advice? Also, what is a normal amount your PTO's carry over for the next year start up costs? I personally think it should be spent on cultural enrichment events, and social activiites that bring the families and children together to make their school year memorable.