PTA Fundraising & PTO Fundraising

PTA fundraising (or PTO fundraising) is a common way for parent-teacher groups to raise funds to support school programs and development projects. When schools experience budget shortfalls, they often turn to parents to help raise money and reach out to the local community for support. After all, parents are usually more than willing to help support their child's education, making PTA fundraising and PTO fundraising campaigns a very common way to supplement funding. See PTA fundraising ideas.

What is the difference between a PTO and PTA Fundraiser?

As far as fundraising goes, there is really no difference between a PTO fundraiser or a PTA fundraiser. Both groups are very important to the schools and communities they serve. Both look to raise additional dollars through fundraising efforts in order to help fund school programs including: new educational resources, school development projects, or funding programs and extracurricular activities.

The difference is really only determined by whether the group has an affiliation with the National PTA or they are an independent group. Nearly 75% of parent groups today are independent PTO's. Local groups that choose to belong to the PTA must pay dues and abide by state and national group rules. In return, they get member benefits, and "a voice" in the operations of the larger organization. PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) is a more generic term and represents groups that choose to remain independent of the PTA. These groups typically concern themselves with what's going on within their own school district, at their building or in their community only.

Factors to consider when planning PTA Fundraising & PTO Fundraising Campaigns:

Parents and school administrators need to work together to determine goals, set budgets, manage timelines, and organize various details of the fundraising campaign. Consideration of these factors in your planning efforts will help make your fundraiser a greater success:

  • What age are the students? Consider what students are interested in and capable of doing prior to selecting your fundraising initiative (remember to engage parents for grade school fundraisers). See Fundraising Through The Years for more ideas.
  • Financial Planning: What is your budget for producing the fundraiser? What are the upfront costs and how will your organization cover these?
  • What resources do you have including: Parents, volunteers, local business & media relationships that can assist with sponsorships and spreading awareness of your cause.
  • What are your plans for promoting the fundraiser? Networking, social media, community relationships, local businesses, event calendars, email blasts, website links, school gatherings, etc.
  • What message and skills are you teaching students through your fundraising campaign?
  • How will you motivate participants? Will there be any prizes or awards for top performers?
  • What tools/resources (i.e. online fundraising software) will you use to collect donations and manage all the planning details of your fundraiser?

Over Fundraising

PTA and PTO members should help regulate the volume of fundraisers the school intends to host. Since not all fundraisers are organized by parent/teacher groups, planners need to be aware of ongoing fundraising efforts throughout the school so students, parents and community members don't get burnt out. Limiting the number of school fundraisers will help increase the potential success of each individual fundraising campaign. Similarly, schools need to be aware of what fundraisers neighboring schools are planning so they can create a unique fundraiser that does not directly compete with others. This will also prevent too many groups from "selling" to the same market and tapping into the same pool of volunteers and resources.

PTO & PTA Fundraising Ideas

We've created a page loaded with fun PTA fundraising ideas (PTO fundraising ideas) to get you started with planning your fundraiser! Some of our favorite school fundraisers include:

School Fundraising Resources