Can a PTO look to an outside company to sponsor a product for the school? For example, at the PTO Today conference there was a free sample of a refrigerator magnet that had the school calendar and events, contact numbers, website, etc. on it.

I was thinking of saving our PTO some money and try to get a local business to promote their business on the bottom and have a spot that says "Proudly Sponsored By ABC Pizza". We always have a free give-a-way at our Back to School Night - but it does cost a nice penny.

Does anyone know if this is allowed?

As far as what's "allowed" on these type things, it's usually what your own policies (if any) state. Yes, you could do that. Some would see that as no different than corporate adds in the school director or newsletter.

However, I'd also work with the school on the THEIR policies. Although this is a PTO effort, once that calendar is out and in use, people really won't distinguish it from something distributed by the school itself. You might even need a disclaimer on it.

You need to be aware of potential problems. For example what if the district has a contract with a particular vendor, but its main competitor wants to be the sponsor. Or what if a company that isn't quite family-oriented signs up. Does that matter?

Hi! Yes you can do it. Our school has done this for years. We have a bank in town who has been paying for our magnets for years and they get their logo somewhere on the calendar magnet. We send them home with the kids on the first day of school. We have been using Magnet Street to make the magnets. http://www.magnetstreet.com

[ 04-24-2006, 01:30 PM: Message edited by: Serendipity ]