PTO Today

Our PTO is in trouble financially. We just had our walk-a-thon, and from the looks of the small amount of sponsor sheets turned in, we didn't even make $1,000. We usually use the company Kathryn Beich for our fall fundraiser, but we chose to go a totally different route this year with the walk-a-thon. Last year, we made $16,000 with Kathryn Beich and we added the Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough. The cookie dough delivery was a disaster, and so was our rep, so we decided to try something new. It completely flopped!

Everything that we do for our students and our school is in jeopardy. The walk-a-thon was such a fun and healthy event for our students, but unless people are getting something tangible, they aren't interested. We have 409 students in our school, and only about 20 students turned in money. What a shame!

We know that Kathryn Beich has been bought out by another company, but we are considering using them again for a spring fundraiser.

It's always nice to try something new, but fundraising is one of those scary areas where the tried and true are the safest bets. Also, what is a huge success at one school can be a big flop at another. It's best to have a back up plan just in case.

Your thought on trying the Beich fundraiser in the spring is a good one, if you can wait that long for funds. Would you be able to squeeze something small in that would be a good fit for holiday gifts/entertaining? Maybe the Beich fundraiser now?

I like the walkathon idea from the standpoint of the kids doing something healthy and not having to sell product, and if I were you I'd try it again next school year to see if you can build participation as people get used to it. Maybe move it to the spring as a back-up fundraiser and keep your Beich sale as your fall "fill the coffers" fundraiser.

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Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat.

We also went to a Walk-a-thon this year instead of a catalog-- I budgeted to only make 3,000 though because of it being a new event I felt that the 3,000 would be a good goal for this year and after we sent out notes that we would be doing this again next year- instead of a catalog again so parents knew a head of time and would be ready for it...
AS far as quick money to make up the difference--- I would try and pick up some restaurant nights that give a percentage for anyone that comes in--- that way it's not just the parents that you are getting money from-- Mcdonald's does 15% for 3 hours, Burger kind does a percentage but you have to say with the school-- but no limit on many you can do--- these are pretty easier to run as well with a small amount of volunteers... and the money will add up quick-- we can earn 2-300.00 per night. Good luck!

Just to update everyone on our walk-a-thon. We made $374 dollars! Wow, what a flop! I am completely disgusted. We sent home so much information regarding this walk-a-thon. I was sure it would be a hit. Unfortunately, we will have to stick with the boring catalog sales.

I agree ... I wonder, in terms of the not getting something "tangible" issue, whether you'd have more luck with a targeted fundraiser. Eg, not just "support the PTO" but "walk for computers" or whatever big capital expense you want to fund. Then you still have a "tangible."

We do a run/walk every spring and the most we made was $23,000!!! This can be a successful fundraiser! We didn't use anyone to help plan it so we got 100% of the money. Here's the basics on how we do it.

We do it in 2 days:
Grades k-2 day 1
Grades 3-5 day 2

We get numbers printed on paper (1-20), and each set of 1-20 printed on different colored paper so each class in k-2 has different colors but are all numbered 1-20. These numbers are safety pinned onto the t-shirts.

We get sponsors: one main sponsor and then about 20 or so sponsors whose logos we put on the back of t-shirts (we leave a square on the back in the middle of the sponsors & it has "I ran_____laps")

We provide t-shirts & water bottles.

We have parents come & count laps & help cheer the kids on & monitor water breaks. Last year we had other classes come out with signs to cheer on their classmates.

The kids run/walk for about 30-45 minutes.

Our prizes are almost all donated by local businesses. We have prizes for: top lap runners (boy & girl), most money raised, then we have prizes for the kids who come in under those - probably about 15-20 prizes in all. We've had an electric scooter, i-pod, limo ride, playstation2...

It takes A LOT of work but it is SO much fun!!! I hope you try again - it can be very successful!

we are in the same boat here, I went w/ a different catalog company and we raised 57% less than last year which was $2,oooshort. I had no one (not 1 volunteer show to help with anything). I got from alot of parents why bother my kids will get the money anyway. ( we paid for field trips and printers and cow's) This was my first year as the Fundraiser. I am dreading to think about spring time fundraising coming already.We have 523 students and had 73 people including teachers and staff participate.

our school did the Race for Education last year and raised $15,000. We probably would have done even better but this was a new fundraiser for our parents and not everyone participated. Hopefully, we'll do even better this year. If you want more information about this you can go to Race for Education. Good luck!

WOW do these posts sound familiar. We were in a similar financial situation last fall and found a "quick fix" fundraising company that works with Non Profit Organizations and Youth groups.No volunteers needed, no product to order & stock and it was inexpensive. The best part I thought was it runs 12 months a year as compared to one time events.It's associated with over 500 retailers & since corporate funding is getting tight in these economic times it seemed to be a way to get companies like Target,Staples and Starbucks to still give back. As parents we all shop at these retailers anyways replacing everyday supplies whether we're a business or household & we're averaging 10% profit on all money spent.The company was good to work with ,supplied us with material to get started at no cost. Let me know if you'd like more information.

Our group as a whole all agreed that we would not do any real selling this year. Instead the family or community approach would be implemented. It seems as though people are just tuned out of their children schools. We have held free events making holiday crafts/ with misc things to purchase ie: baked goods etc. We have held shopping nights at local retailers. We've held coffees, scrapbook parties... I can go on and on and its always the same group of people supplying and buying. it's very discouraging as a PTO officer. Our school staff and faculty cannot even be bothered to attend how can we expect more from the general parent population ?