My PTO is in the process of updating our mission statement in the hope that it will make our decision making more consistent related to requests for funding. Many groups in our community come to our PTO requesting funds for good causes that may not relate directly to our school. They might relate to a community oriented cause or charity. We usually vote on each one individually - resulting in inconsistency and funding things that are really outside of our mission of funding enrichment programs and supporting our school. How do other PTO's Handle funding requests outside of what typically would be considered the Mission of a PTO?

We've had this issue, too and it always seems to bring up some heavy debate. I feel like the funds that the PTO raises should be for the enrichment of the school. You don't see the Animal Rights League donating to the Cancer Society.

Our PTO does fund a couple of outside programs. One is the summer reading program put on by our town library. We feel this is worth the money we give. It goes towards all the kids in the town(most of them are in the elementary level). It may not be something that is 'in' our school, but it definately afftects the children at our school.

We get requests, too, but we try to offer volunteers and publicity rather than money. I could see helping the summer reading program because it is for the same kids pretty much and these nothing you can really do for them in the summer.

One thing we've done kind of like this is support the kids can goods drive in January. We publicize the drive to our members and the last 2 years we've added $200 to the drive for extras. The proceeds go to needy families in town. It's not for the school, but we were happy to do it.

I could see it getting tricky if a whole bunch of groups came to us.

At a recent PTA convention, we were told that PTAs shouldn't be donating funds to other organizations. Many of us at our school don't agree. For several years we donated funds to the town New Years Eve family day and this year we're not. I don't like it.