School Fundraisers: For or Against?
Posted August 28, 2015 - 8:17am
Did you guys see the viral pic of the PTA asking for money in lieu of time/work? It really resonated with many of my FB friends and I get why. Year after year, those fundraisers get annoying. And if you have more than one kid, how can you tactfully handle that with family and co-workers?
On the flip side, schools rely on those fundraisers. The schools would suffer without them. When my daughter started public school a few years ago, I was so surprised at how much a "free" education really costs, but what alternative do we have?
What do you think about fundraisers? Happy to help, or would you rather just write a check and be done with it?
Frugal Minded M...
I saw that post and was someone in agreement with it. In most cases I end up just sending in money anyways. We don't have family here, our friends have kids who are doing the same fund raisers and my husband doesn't feel it's right to take them to work so what are we to do. I usually pay enough so that the kids will get at least some reward, but unfortunately most of the time they don't get to go to the special assemblies.
jonbonjovious
I've been a PTA President twice. I know how vital those fund-raisers are to giving better to our children. I do, however, believe that everyone sells the same ol' same ol'. We use to offer the option of giving money rather than buying over priced cookie dough, expensive wrapping paper and all the other stuff. The profit is so low and nobody is going to allow a child to go door-to-door. The reality is if each family gave an amount as simple as $5 the school wouldn't need a fund-raiser.
justamom
I think a better solution than selling stuff door to door would be holding some kind of fundraiser that everyone participates in like a rummage sale, pledge walk, charging admission to a film or whatever else their clever minds can come up with.
jonbonjovious
I agree, however, the issue then becomes finding the volunteers to support the activity to make it a success.
sunnykathleen
My children's school had a requirement of each family selling 100 candy bars. We were just given a box and a deadline to return the money. I thought this was very pushy and I called and asked if there was a buy out. I certainly didn't want all that chocolate at my house or to have to hit up all the neighbors! I was able to do a buy out program. I feel torn about this. I understand the school does need the money, but isn't there a better way to go about it?
jonbonjovious
Ouch! That seems steep and pushy to me too. I'm glad there was a buy-out option and that you were smart enough to call and ask.
CandyOvercaffed
I feel like ideally there would be a way to add a learning compontent to fundraising. Make it a community event (like a rummage sale) or have classrooms nominate ideas and the school vote on one, or SOMETHING. Maybe this wouldn't cover all fundraising needs, but it seems like involving the students would be a great way to learn more about money and project management.
Frugal Minded M...
Guess what came home on Friday from the school? The fundraiser for my 3rd grader. Found it interesting that if I pay $7 contribuition, he will get a prize. So at least I don't have to buy junk I don't need. Also this year, everybody will get to go to the reward assembly, not just people who sell a ton. They just won't be given VIP status. That sounds fair to me.
CandyOvercaffed
That does sound a little better. I always get so sad for the kids whose families sincerely cannot pay/contribute anything and then the child or the class get penalized. That doesn't help anybody.
jonbonjovious
I agree. This is a better alternative and that no child is excluded is a win-win! Congratulations for your school--here's to their success.
Momofboys
I hate them. I understand 100% that schools need money but there are so many other fundraising ideas that they could come up with that would be better. I will have two in school this year, and now I will be forced to purchase double of things I don’t need. From last year’s numerous fundraisers I racked up numerous things that still haven’t been opened (minus the Yankee Candle fundraiser). Then, they promote the fundraisers to the kids heavily that they would feel bad if they didn’t get a prize or make sales.Throughout the year, I also purchase from Scholastics, which also benefits the school, and participate in the pizza orders, which donate a percentage to them. I even shop online through a program that gives the school a percentage in commission. I feel they should get rid of the fundraiser catalogs and do other fundraising ideas.
CandyOvercaffed
I agree. And it seems like they are fundraising all year long. It makes me wonder if it is a problem they are getting themselves into. That they are so used to "needing" everything in the budget that they never revisit what it is they are asking for. It seems like a case of "this is what we've always done so this is what we are going to keep doing". Chromebooks and tablets are cool, but are they necessary for learning? And if so, do they need so many of them if they also have a computer lab? I honestly don't know the answer.
jonbonjovious
Right? Between the school fundraising and the PTA fund raisers, it's a never ending cycle. Sadly, the percentage from all these fundraisers is so low.
sunnykathleen
The other thing that makes me uncomfortable is asking family or friends to purchase items, especially as the holidays approach. It is a shame that the taxes collected for schools don't cover the operating costs!
CandyOvercaffed
I agree! It feels like the system is broken. I wish there was an easy way to fix it.
jonbonjovious
I've lived in states with lotteries where the money is suppose to go into education....they are some of the lowest ranking schools. Everyone needs their cut. I remember filling out paperwork for a grant that was intended to help raise our students' test score. I was so disgusted by how little money actually went to the core of educating the children...everyone needed a cut of the grant for salaries. Something needs to change where the children come first.
Frugal Minded M...
Guess I'm fortunate in that my school only does one fund raiser a year. Now if you participte in a team sport there is additional, but each school only does one a year.