This trend started before the economy cratered (though reporter makes the connection), but this Michigan piece is still interesting. More and more Michigan groups organizing major community events for their fundraising. Piece profiles several.

This four-year-old group decides that PTA option not working best for them and makes switch to PTO. For more on the PTO v PTA differences, our cover story on PTO v PTA is here.

How’s your fall fundraiser going? This Lancaster (PA) feature takes a critical look at some early-return fundraising struggles for area schools. My take on the current situation included in the piece.

Will just add a bit to my quotes that made the piece: think one big challenge will be what groups will do if these lower returns continue. There will be great tempation to run another big fundraiser or two. Trouble with that, though, is that more groups than ever will start to suffer from over-fundraising-itis.

I’d rather adjust the budget down if we have to (or work even harder on our one biggy) than lose parents for the long-term by fundraising them to death.

How are your returns so far this year? And what are you doing about it?

Impressed by this feature from Michigan, where author captures both the importance of involvement and the challenges of growing involvement at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

A good read…

Interesting ruling in Iowa, where state Board of Ed tells schools that they can not charge fees for school-day, curriculum-related field trips. Such fees are akin to tuition, rules the Board.

I can see the thinking here. Reminds me of a similar debate over during-school fundraising reward assemblies. I have no problem with all kinds of extra-curriculars, including those that might charge fees. But it does seem that — especially at a public school — that the school day should be open to all… and free.

You agree?

PS — Speaking of field trip funds, Target has a generous field trip grant program that’s worth a look.

This Washington Post column brings up an interesting issue — why are Principals fundraising (especially when they have an active parent group already doing so?

Talk about fundraising burnout! The parents at this school must be buying locks for their wallets. At most well-working schools the goals (and the fundraising) is shared. The idea of parents trying to differentiate between a Principal’s fundraiser and a PTO’s is just not realistic. To parents, it’s all just the school reaching into their pockets again, and — long-term — that’s a recipe for turned off parents and (ironically) lower fundraiser earnings. Not good.

This happening at your school? Why?

We’ve worked with these guys a bit in the past, when we’ve had PTO Expos in the Philly area, but we’re continually impressed with the Philadelphia public schools and their outreach to parents. Here’s just another example, as district hosts wide-ranging Parent Appreciation Day. Love it.

Ran across this mom’s blog and couldn’t help but laugh. Talented writer who really captures a day many of us have also had. How many of us can commiserate with these frustrations that sometimes, regrettably go along with school volunteering?

This morning’s feature in the Boston Globe about how the General Mills BoxTops for Education program continues to send more funds to our schools reminded me that it’s been a while since I offered a simple thank you to General Mills and Campbell’s and Target (and there are more) for making this commitment to the kids and schools. So…. thanks.

Yes, these are marketing programs. No doubt. And there are critics who think that any marketing that touches schools in any way is somehow taking advantage of kids. To me, that’s hogwash.

But these companies have about 9,000 options of where to spend their marketing dollars and where to focus their community support, and they choose to support schools. Good for them. They could run 10 more ads on American Idol or buy a Super Bowl ad for a million or two. Instead, they put those dollars towards schools. I certainly hope they get more for their marketing dollars by doing this (I bet they do!), but I can guarantee you that a lot more good — like field trips and playgrounds and teacher support and new computers and yadda, yadda) — has been done through these collecting and school support programs than ever has been done with a Super Bowl ad.

So again — on behalf of school parents — thanks.

The cash for trash name is catchy, but it’s not meant to diminish what have become very successful programs for many groups. This North Carolina story itemizes how several local groups are seeing more and more success with these “passive” (no selling) fundraising programs.

It’s always been true that grocery stores are the big wins in these type of programs, because parents spend so much money every week on these staples. Also true that all “cash for trash” programs aren’t created equal. Check out our feature story for PTO Today Ratings of these fundraising programs.