PTO Today

Needing some funding for a stage for our Elementary school...Any advice out there

Do you have a stage already that needs replaced or do you want to put in a stage?

You could apply for grants with Lowes Home Improvement Store and Hamburger Helper. Target also has a program that you can check into. If you can't get any "free" money, you could always run raffles, have bake sales, etc. I ran a raffle in November, and we made $2,054. A local business printed the tickets for free.

Good luck to you. I would love to be able to purchase a new stage curtain and new seats for our auditorium, but I know that won't happen any time soon.

This would be for a new stage there is nothing there right now.. The school had money for it before, but they say we ran out of money before they got to the stage...I would like our PTO to do something big, so people can realize that we do make a difference in our school... I am going to get apply for the Lowes ad, never heard of the Hamburger Helper, but will investigate. Thanks for all your help!!
Bo

I was just going to mention the Hamburger Helper program also that looks like something that might be helpful. OR try Home Depot also.

Cindy

you may also be able to reduce costs by having a local technical high school workshop design and build it!

Do you have a school tax credit program? In Arizona, married people filing jointly can donate up to $400 per year to a public school of their choice. This money is then given as a DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR refund or is applied to any state taxes you owe. This can only be used in our state for extra-curricular activities and a stage would qualify. As a PTO we really market this program and let parents know exactly what big purchase we are trying to make. This tax-credit money can also be used for field trips. It's a great program and is seriously a win-win for everyone. Great as it is, not everyone is aware of it so it's worth checking out in your state!