Our PTO sponsored Partners in Progress last year. We raised about $11,000. We have about 700 students. We asked each student to get sponsors to "invest $5.00 in their education". Only about 1/2 of our students participated. But our grand prize winner turned in over $400.00. We offered prizes to the students who raised the most money. (We had playstation 2, limo rides, etc.) Other schools in our area have been much more successful than we were. An elementary school down the road raised around $30,000.00 with the same project.Our school has an annual BBQ that raises much $$ so our PTO fundraising efforts aren't always as successful as we'd like.This year we went with booster cards with local merchant discounts on back. Our parents loved this one because they were getting something for their money. People who never participate in anything bought one of these. We sold out of our initial order of 1500 gold cards.

Our school has done a Booster Club since 1987 and we wouldn't change it for anything. We typically raise around $3,000 (our student count is around 380) and the only other fundraising we do is a Spring Carnival. All other Special Events are for social activity. No one misses the door-to-door sales!

plw-
as a charter school we don't receive the same amount of funding as other schools because of our small size. Most schools in our district average 30-35 in one class room as we limit ourselves 25-30. 30 is really pushing it. It's not that we are punished by the district it's that schools here receive like $50 a student. Larger schools make out great, we srape by and so they fundraise us to the limit.
Oh, I'm getting wordy again but I have asked this many times and this is the answer I have been given. I have also been told, grants are really hard to receive now because businesses want to send their cash to NY. This will be a tough year all around.

Our high school has done a Painless Project now for about 5 years. Mind you there is not much expense incurred at that level for the PTA because there are many other booster clubs. They ask for a $10.00 donation instead of baking cookies and participating in fund raisers. I definately think it is worth a try. Before you introduce anything new though I would make sure you are financially ok in case it does not go over well. Have extra money saved up first.

Our PTAs do 1-2 fundraisers a year which #1 is all our parents are willing to have and #2 our school district limits them. We will sometimes make money on Spirit Wear or a Sock Hop but you they do not raise that much money. It is more like accidental income.

Always big in our area are the fall holiday catalogue sales, Spring Easter candy sales, and auctions. You can always opt to award all students who turn in orders. Tell your fundraiser to not offer those cheap prizes and settle on a top seller for each grade level give them a gift certificate for a bookstore and then goody bags for everyone who turns in an order. The company may just give you a better cut or a monetary reward (That you could purchase your own prizes with) Thank the families in your news letter for making such and such possible for your PTA to afford because of their support.

Also look into your area businesses to support an assembly, project, teacher appreciation, volunteer recognition etc. to cut down on your budget.

I think we are all sick and tired of fundraising but... it has to be done. Our job is to make it as painless as possible.

mykidsmom, What does your school use the money for that they have to have so many fundraisers?
Best Wishes!

Hi Eve, Our PTO faced that challenge last year and I belive we have been able to solve this problem well. We did ask for donations last year and brought in $750 after printing expences--not bad but (against my better judgement the letter was sent home after Thanksgiving and I felt it could have been done at better time).
We also have skate parties. There is a locally owned skate rink that hosts the party for the families of your school (teachers get in free!) and we recieve so much money per PAID skater! Last year we also offered Summer Skate Passes that brought in an extra $100 ( we get a $1 for every $2 pass we sell)
The parties were not very big funds raiser but this year our first party gave us a check for $200!
We also do a book fair with Barnes and Noble Bookstore. Once again we recieve a % of the stores sales in a four hour period and I would check with your store to see how this works (I have every manager we have worked with in 3 years do things differently each time!)
The school already has 5 fundraisers planned THAT IS NOT including our 3 or 4 we do so we were begged to think of a way to do this without sending students door to door.
A parent mentioned doing a Spell-a-thon. Not sure how she wanted to do that though. My little brother's school did a walk-a-thon to raise money for a new playground. That was HUGE! Even 10 years ago when they did it!

I hope this can give you a start. I will admit this has been a challenge for us but fun in the same sense since we've actually had to use some brain power!!
Good luck!

Our PTO is frustrated by the fundraising companies. We really don't like the children selling door to door despite our advising against this. We also find the products are disappointing and over priced, of course. I'm not even happy with how they almost take advantage of the children by showing them all the great prizes that almost none of them will really be able to earn. Has anyone ever tried just asking parents to donate to the PTO if they can. I'm worried we wouldn't generate enough revenue but I'm almost frustrated enough to try it. And I don't think it's just our company. All I've seen are like this. Do you share my feelings?