No more wrapping paper: PTA fundraiser alternatives

I don't know about you, but when I need wrapping paper, I like to get the cheapest tube that I can get from a dollar store. And, when I want to support the PTA at my kids' schools, I'd rather all of my money go directly to that all-important group and not split among some company making money off the sale of stuff I don't really need.

But, that's the story for many school fundraisers. Kids and families are asked to fan out across the community with fliers for candles or candy or wrapping paper. Schools get just a percentage of the proceeds when, in reality, they really need all of it after years of classroom cuts that leave parents buying everything from tissues to wipes.

Regardless of what a PTA lands on, Marianne Hedrick Weant, N.C. PTA's director of health programs, tells me that it's critical for PTAs to keep in mind their mission: To make every child's potential a reality.

"As a PTA thinks through that mission and the activities they want to undertake at their school, they should also be thinking about how advocacy plays into that, at their school, in their district, and at the state and national levels," Weant said.

Here are some fundraising options:

Weant suggest schools lay out what the school might get if the goal is hit. Perhaps it might support a school garden, literacy programs or teacher appreciation. PTAs also could suggest specific amounts. So a $100 donation provides a classroom with needed supplies, for instance.

"We see no fuss fundraisers often go the other way - donate the $25 you'd use for wrapping paper - but I think framing it in terms of what that means to a school is a compelling 'ask' and a great conversation starter about the needs of the school and school funding, which is one of our advocacy priorities," Weant said.

Kelly Langston, N.C. PTA president, said dentists, restaurants and other local businesses will line up and pay good money for their names to be emblazoned on the back of a race T-shirt, for instance. By encouraging help from the community, these events also mean there's less pressure on parents to raise the money for school needs. Langston said she's seen PTAs raise $40,000 from these single events.

"It's the business owners that contribute," Langston said. "That's always nice because you're not being hit with back-to-school expenses and fundraisers at the same time."

Langston does caution PTAs from hiring race coordinators, who can sometimes take as much as a 50 percent cut from the event's earnings. "That's crazy, in my opinion," she said. "They aren't that difficult to do."

PTAs also have been successful raising money through fall festivals, spring flings, movie or family nights and dances. These events can be great ways to connect parents and families, provide access to academic resources and raise money, Weant said.

But some schools, especially elementary and middle schools, do make money through the sale of items such as spirit wear or car magnets. Langston's son's cross country team sells pansies. Students are asked to sell a certain number of flats of pansies or make a $60 donation.

"If you're going to sell something," Langston said, "give parents an option for a straight up amount so they aren't guessing" if if they'd rather just write a check.

For sales - or any kind of fundraiser - Langston said PTAs must be mindful of the labor required to get it done.

"When you commit to a fundraiser and you commit to the hours of labor, don’t forget to put a price tag on that labor," she said. "If you have a strong volunteer base, it’s one thing. But if you’re topping out your volunteers to raise a little money, I don’t think it’s going to serve your organization well. People get burned out quickly."

Langston added: "Sometimes we get these big goals - $5,000 profit - but we all spent way too many hours. I would challenge is that fundraiser even worth it or did it tap parents and volunteers out. Don’t just do anything for a few bucks."