School Fundraising Amid Economic Uncertainty in 2025

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Our latest parent group survey shows that PTO and PTA groups plan to do the same or significantly more fundraising in 2025-2026 amid school budget cuts and looming economic uncertainty.

by PTO Today Editors

05/30/2025

With school budgets tightening and economic uncertainty continuing into the year ahead, fundraising has become an even more critical—and challenging—part of supporting education. To better understand how school parent groups are planning and adapting, we conducted a survey of 764 active PTO and PTA leaders across the country. Below, we share the key highlights from PTO Today's School Fundraising in 2025-2026 survey.

Survey Highlights

PTO Today Fundraising Survey 2025-2026

97% plan to do the same or more fundraising in 2025-2026 than the previous year
45% say their PTO/PTA plans to increase fundraising efforts in 2025-2026
43% expect increased demand for PTO/PTA support due to school budget cuts
33% expect pressure to financially support needs typically outside of the PTO/PTA’s scope
62% expect decreased volunteer participation or engagement, with 64% citing "shortage in volunteers" as the biggest challenge their school currently faces in terms of community engagement
52% feel fun family events designed to build community and school spirit will have the most positive impact during the coming school year
79% share their principal or assistant principal attends every PTO/PTA meeting
67% share their principal is very or moderately involved in determining which fundraisers the PTO ultimately moves forward with

"We have already been asked to help with supplying Chromebooks, auditorium renovations, and classroom supplies. Beside those, I anticipate the teachers reaching out for assistance with website and app subscriptions, gym equipment, and other curriculum resources. Our district has already cut so much and I think this is just the beginning. The PTO/PTA groups will be asked to do so much more with less money. It would be very helpful if there were more opportunities to work with companies to bridge the gap."

"We’ve already been asked to support the programming for Disabilities Awareness Week, as their budget was cut significantly. We also anticipate we will have a lot more basic supplies we will need to furnish for the classrooms, as many families will not be as able to help or even purchase their own basic supplies."

"...Our PTO group will have to be more creative for sure. We are saving more and trying to be more creative with less. The things our school needs, walkie talkies - various technology are being impacted by tariffs so we are all in a wait and see spot."

This PTO Today survey was conducted in May 2025; respondent sample size: 764 PTO & PTA leaders.