The State of School Volunteering, According to PTO and PTA Leaders

Volunteering at schools looks different today than it did just a few years ago, and PTO and PTA leaders are noticing the shift firsthand. PTO Today surveyed school parent group leaders across the country to understand how volunteer participation, event support, and parent involvement are changing—and where support is needed most. The results reveal both the challenges leaders face and the strategies that are helping them keep schools running smoothly.

From reliance on small volunteer teams to burnout among the most active parents—and the underrepresentation of dads and families from diverse cultural backgrounds—these insights give a clear picture of the current state of school volunteering in 2026.

Survey Highlights: The State of School Volunteering

Event Impact and Volunteer Shortages

More than half of PTO and PTA leaders (54%) have had to cancel or scale back school events because of low volunteer turnout. Even well-planned activities can be affected when there aren’t enough hands to help.

A large majority (82%) report relying on fewer than 10 active volunteers at their school. Many PTOs are running on a very small team, which increases the workload for those who do show up.

Small Teams, Big Workload

Nearly all leaders (97%) say the same small group of volunteers is doing most of the work, leading to burnout. This reinforces a common challenge: a dedicated few are carrying the majority of responsibilities.

Two-thirds of leaders (66%) report personally volunteering up to 10 hours per week for their school. Over a typical 36-week school year, that adds up to nearly 360 hours—almost nine full work weeks! 

Volunteer Diversity and Engagement

Nearly three-quarters of leaders (73%) say males or dads are the most underrepresented group among school volunteers. Understanding who isn’t showing up is a first step toward more inclusive volunteer recruitment strategies.

Understanding Why Parents Don’t Volunteer

The top reason parents and caregivers don’t volunteer is work schedules or multiple jobs, cited by 79% of PTO and PTA leaders. Many families simply don’t have the time to commit to regular volunteer activities.

Nearly half (45%) say parents assume others will step up, while 36% report that parents are too busy with their children’s after-school activities to volunteer. Together, these responses show that both time constraints and assumptions about others’ participation are major barriers to engagement.

Strategies That Help Re-Engage Volunteers

Short, simple, and flexible volunteer shifts have helped 58% of schools re-engage volunteers. Flexible opportunities make it easier for busy parents to participate.

Personally asking parents to volunteer has worked for 57%, reinforcing the power of a direct invitation. Digital sign-ups, such as QR codes or volunteer management platforms, have helped 42% of schools bring parents back into the fold.

Which Groups Are Most Underrepresented

Dads remain the most underrepresented group, according to 73% of leaders. Other underrepresented groups include:

• Culturally diverse families: 44%
• Working parents or caregivers: 40%
• Grandparents: 37%
• Teachers: 33%
• Guardians or extended family: 32%

These numbers highlight the need for more inclusive recruitment strategies to reach a broader volunteer base.

Barriers Specific to Dads, Grandparents, and Other Caregivers

52% of leaders say these groups don’t volunteer more often because they aren’t the primary recipients of school communications.

48% report that some caregivers perceive PTO/PTA as “for moms,” while 37% say volunteer opportunities don’t fit their schedules. These insights indicate that targeted outreach and flexible roles could help engage these underrepresented groups.

Volunteer Roles: Hardest vs. Easiest to Fill

The volunteer roles that are hardest to fill at school:

• Event volunteers (general help at school events): 58%
• Fundraising event roles (auction, fun run, carnival, book fair, etc.): 58%
• Board roles (president, treasurer, secretary, VP, etc.): 57%
• Leadership or coordinator positions (committee chairs, etc.): 48%
• Opportunities during the school day: 31%

The easiest volunteer roles to fill at school:

• Classroom volunteers/room parent roles: 44%
• One-off tasks: 35%
• Behind-the-scenes or from-home roles: 22%

This shows that while general support and flexible roles are easier to staff, leadership and event-heavy positions continue to be challenging for most PTOs.

Together, these results paint a clear picture: PTO and PTA leaders are working hard, often with small teams, to keep school programs running. But they’re also facing challenges with participation, diversity, and sustainability—insights that can help every parent group plan for a stronger, more balanced volunteer base.

What This Means for PTO Leaders

School volunteering isn’t disappearing—it’s evolving—and that creates opportunity. PTOs that adapt are finding new ways to engage families and keep their school community supported. These insights can help parent groups focus their energy where it matters most and bring forward programs that reflect the realities of families’ lives today.

As volunteering continues to change, PTO leaders have a chance to rethink what programs, events, and fundraisers look like at their school. By trying new fundraisers and events, offering flexible ways for parents and caregivers to help, and meeting families where they are, PTOs can strengthen their school communities and set themselves up for long-term success. Remember, the most successful PTOs embrace change, try new things, and learn as they go.