What Are PTOs Spending Their Fundraising Dollars On? Here's What Our Community Had to Say

Photo: Kera Clements

Your PTO raised the funds...now what? We asked PTO leaders across the country what purchases and projects they’ve funded or are saving up for. Answers ranged from playground makeovers and book vending machines to murals, indoor recess carts, sound systems, wiggle chairs, and even stadium lights.

by Kerri Beauchesne

09/22/2026

Wondering how PTOs decide what to fund? Some start with a wish list and fundraise toward a specific project. Others raise money first and figure out how to put it to work based on their school’s needs.

We asked PTO leaders in our community what big purchases and projects they’ve funded (or are saving up for) and the answers ranged from playground makeovers and book vending machines to art murals, sound systems, indoor recess carts, wiggle chairs, and even stadium lights. Here are some great ideas to get your own PTO thinking!

💡 Need to raise money for your next big project? Check out our big list of 75+ fundraising ideas for PTOs and PTAs. and special offers and resources from friends of PTO Today.

Books, learning & technology

Book vending machines were one of the most popular answers we heard. PTOs are using them to reward students for positive behavior, celebrate birthdays, recognize students of the month, and encourage reading. Just remember that the books will need to be replenished, which is an additional cost to consider. Ideas shared by PTO leaders:

Book vending machines
Schoolwide book purchases
Library renovations and new carpet
Maker spaces
Kilns
3D printers
VR goggles
Chromebooks
Art equipment
Classroom and technology equipment
Laser engraver for technology room
Specialized saws for the school art program

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Principal Kevin Watson (@kendalleagles)

School playground upgrades

For many PTOs, fundraising dollars go toward improving or enhancing the school playground. Ideas included:

New playground equipment
Accessible playground features or equipment
Playground equipment and accessories, such as balls, nets and jump ropes
Gaga ball pits
Adjustable or upgraded basketball hoops
Playground stencils
Sensory paths
Outdoor games (think climbing walls, giant Connect 4, and other oversized games)
Playground sun shade structures and sails
New turf or playground surfacing

One PTO spent two years raising about $80,000 for a playground “glow up” that included shade coverings, concrete slabs, soccer goals and a Gaga pit.

🛝 Download our free school playground planning guide

Outdoor spaces

Outdoor improvements can turn unused or underused space into somewhere students and staff actually want to be. PTOs have funded or are saving for:

Picnic tables
Covered outdoor seating
Outdoor classroom seating
Garden renovations
Garden and growing programs, including hydroponics
Garden classroom spaces
"Kindness rocks" rock garden or path
Playground shade structures
Filtered water bottle-filling stations
Athletic field improvements
Baseball field upgrades
Soccer goals
Industrial outdoor garbage cans

And don't forget to budget for all the pieces of an outdoor project. For example, a seemingly simple seating project may require concrete work or other site preparation.

Invest in the things students and staff use every day

Some of the best PTO purchases aren't flashy—they're the things students and staff interact with all the time. PTOs told us they've invested in:

Phone lockers
Filtered water bottle-filling stations: if your PTO is considering one, check with your school's facilities team first. Installation may involve plumbing or electrical work, and you'll want to know who will handle ongoing maintenance and filter replacement.
Art supplies and equipment
Library furniture or refresh
Flexible classroom furniture, seating and focus tools, like wiggle chairs, wobble stools, bouncy bands, and floor seating
Classroom audio equipment
Sensory bins
White boards
Classroom technology, including Smart Boards
Classroom cruiser bikes
Security/privacy improvements, such as window coverings or door security reinforcements
Rollerblades for PE
Safety equipment for PE
Gym equipment such as balls, nets, jump ropes, pickleball
Projector and screen systems
Communication boards for students with special needs
Projector systems
Stage curtains

Before choosing a project, ask the people who use the space every day. Your PE teacher may have a wish list of equipment, your librarian may have ideas for the library, or your teachers may have classroom needs you haven't considered. Also, any security-related purchase should be reviewed and approved by school/district administrators and the appropriate facilities or safety personnel before a PTO funds it.

Make the school feel special

PTO-funded projects have included:

School murals
Have a local artist custom-paint the playground (for example, four-square courts, alphabet and number lines, or a map of the USA)
Student-created mosaics
Staff lounge makeover
Restroom stall decals
Cafeteria murals
New school marquee signs
School spirit shirts for every student
Mascot costumes

Bring the big events to life

If your school uses a multipurpose room for concerts, graduation and other big events, there are plenty of ways your PTO can make those experiences better!

Portable stages
Sound systems
Gym sound upgrades
Better acoustics in multipurpose rooms
Theater improvements
Popcorn machines
Stage curtains
Special assemblies and school experiences

Make indoor recess better

Several PTO leaders mentioned indoor recess as an area worth investing in, especially with games and activities that kids use every day. Ideas included:

Indoor recess supplies (recess carts or boxes for classrooms)
Games and activities
Classroom play equipment
Interactive indoor play projectors
A dedicated game room for student incentives

Kera Clements shares that her PTO stocked each indoor recess cart (pictured below) with a deck of cards, Uno, Chinese jump ropes, cat’s cradle, beads and string for making bracelets, colored pens and markers, Play-Doh with accessories, Hot Wheels cars, foam dice, a couple of board games, magnet tiles, Lincoln Logs, stepping stones, and Legos!

Photo: Kera Clements

Boosting staff morale

Not everything your PTO funds has to be for students. Supporting the people who spend their days with students can be just as meaningful! Ideas include:

Staff grants
Classroom reimbursements
Classroom supplies (tissues, sanitizing wipes, pencils, etc.)
Staff lounge makeover or enhancements
Monthly or weekly teacher treat trolley
Teacher/staff meals during conference days or busy event days
Coffee, breakfast, or snack stations
Staff appreciation gifts or gift cards
Outdoor teacher patio
Ice machine for the staff lounge
Staff wellness or relaxation activities
Schoolwide staff celebrations
Professional development or conference fees
Supplies or equipment for staff workspaces
Staff recognition programs
End-of-year appreciation events

And then there are the really fun purchases

Not every PTO purchase has to be practical. Sticker machine? Yep. Plinko board? Sure. Popcorn machine? Obviously!

One school brings its custom wavy man inflatable out for the first day of school, school picnics, kindergarten orientation and other events. A purchase like that may not be something you can put on a traditional “school improvement” list, but it can become part of the school's identity and create a lot of smiles for years!

Experiences and opportunities that support students

Look for ways your fundraising dollars can directly affect students' daily school life, enrichment or opportunities. Ideas shared by PTO leaders included:

Paying 100% of field trip costs for all students
Robotics club registration
Author/illustrator visits
Special assemblies
Books for all students at the book fair
Enrichment programs
School care closet
Experiences for the entire school
Funding for clubs
Grade-level and specials grants
5th grade graduation
Schoolwide spirit wear
Student-run programs, such as a café that teaches communication and money skills
5th grade trip

Dream PTO purchases

Most PTOs aren't going to be funding a $390,000 project, but one community member shared an incredible example: their school went 60 years without lights on its athletic field. A community fundraising effort ultimately helped make the project happen, taking about 30 months from the initial vision to the first scrimmage.

Your PTO's big project doesn't have to be that big. Maybe it's a Gaga pit. Maybe it's playground shade. Maybe it's a new sound system or a teachers' lounge makeover. But before you spend those fundraising dollars, don't forget to look beyond the price tag. This is especially important for projects involving playgrounds, shade structures, construction, electrical work, plumbing, or other permanent improvements. A book vending machine needs books. A playground structure likely needs professional installation. Outdoor seating might need concrete. A water bottle-filling station may need plumbing, installation and ongoing filter replacement. A new piece of technology may eventually need software or repairs. Before committing, ask:

Is this something the school or district normally pays for?
Are there installation or construction costs?
Who will maintain or replace it?
Are there ongoing costs?
Does it require district approval?
How many students will benefit?
Will you still have enough money in your PTO reserve?

And, make sure your school administration and district are on board before your PTO starts writing checks.

In the end, the best purchases your PTO can make are the ones that fit your school's needs, get used, and make a difference for students and staff. Start by asking your principal, teachers, PE staff, music teacher and librarian - they may already have a wish list of things that would make a meaningful difference!

What has your PTO purchased with fundraising dollars? We'd love to hear about it! Tag @ptotoday in your social posts so we can see it!