Fundraisers...ugh!

[live4christp1]

Well, it's that time of year again...time to suck family and friends dry with the annual fundraiser! Ok, the wrapping paper isn't too bad...it's just that the "powers that be" tell kids what cool stuff they'll get if they sell this many or that many items. I just cannot afford to buy $200 worth of junk! Ugh....

Anyone else going thru this?

Yep, ours is books this year and DS who is in the 3rd grade comes home saying we have to sell $800 so that he can get this thing (he didn't even know what it was, it was just the top prize) that turned out to be a $100 MP3 player. This is me

What really bugs me though is DS goes to a private school....we pay tuition, we do lots of volunteer hours, we buy our own text books, pay computer lab fees, etc......I don't think we should have to do fundraisers.

 

[CEDmom]

If the prize is a party, then everyone has the opportunity to meet their goal and attend the party, why would you be screaming to high heaven over this. If your family chooses not to participate in a fundraiser, then you also choose not to participate in any of the prizes, including parties.

I don't like doing fundraisers either, I would much rather just write a check and be done, but since our school needs the fundraisers, we participate. My kids benefit from the money earned and I feel we should do our part to raise that money. We start our huge magazine drive on Friday. We have grown our drive large enough that we only have to do 2 fundraisers each year, which is REALLY nice! It has been around for so long that the town just waits for the kids to come buy to renew their magazines. It is a pretty easy $90,000 for our school.

But, if I choose to write a check for $50 rather than buy $50 worth of stuff my child should be credited with $50 in sales (actually $100 since most times the school only earns 50% of what's sold).

My DD bought the 1st fund raiser home and mentioned that there's a contest and the winner gets to go to TRU. I told her we're not playing that game and I'll take her to TRU myself. It's just crazy how competitive this has become. My DD is only 6 - she doesn't need to deal with this kind of nonsense.

BTW, I joined the PTO at DD's school and will make a cash donation but won't participate in any fund raising. I'm sure that'll win me lots of friends .

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

We got lucky this year - DD is selling Yankee candles - something most people we know like and would buy anyway! - (cookie dough is the worst!)

What I really don't like are the incentives - just as children should be expected to do chores around the house as part of the responsiblity of being part of a family - they should be taught that they are raising money to provide for a nicer playground, or special programs that they enjoy, or whatever.. and that this is the reward in and of itself! (Edited to add: I am not saying this means they should be compelled to sell - only that the benefits gained should be enough of an incentive alone!)

 

[golfgal]

But, if I choose to write a check for $50 rather than buy $50 worth of stuff my child should be credited with $50 in sales (actually $100 since most times the school only earns 50% of what's sold).

My DD bought the 1st fund raiser home and mentioned that there's a contest and the winner gets to go to TRU. I told her we're not playing that game and I'll take her to TRU myself. It's just crazy how competitive this has become. My DD is only 6 - she doesn't need to deal with this kind of nonsense.

BTW, I joined the PTO at DD's school and will make a cash donation but won't participate in any fund raising. I'm sure that'll win me lots of friends .

Not all schools so this, but we DO credit the kids for cash donations, but they are VERY few and far between. People talk a big game about not wanting to buy and will give a cash donation instead, but frankly, it just doesn't happen that way, they just don't do anything.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I know PTO's and private schools do fund raising, but now almost every sport in our area does fundraising.

Anyone else ever ask to see a budget or audit sheet on income and expenses for these fund raisers?

We are going through the sport fundraising too. Our sports were cut out of our budget this year because our taxes had gone up so much. I actually sat at a town meeting where a resident wanted to cut all girls sports. Well DH got up there and told him fine but in CT there is a law stating if you cut a sport for one gender you have to cut the other gender as well. Now we pay to play.
As for audits, I always ask our other groups and our PTO publishes ours at the end of the year. In a way it protects me since I handle the money in fundraising. If I need to purchase something the treasurer either gives me money and I give her the change and a receipt or I pay for it and get reimbursed when she gets the receipt. Unless it's a big ticket item I just keep the receipt and write it off on my taxes. I also write off mileage to and from any PTO event I attend in an official capacity(I'm the VP).

 

[golfgal]

We are going through the sport fundraising too. Our sports were cut out of our budget this year because our taxes had gone up so much. I actually sat at a town meeting where a resident wanted to cut all girls sports. Well DH got up there and told him fine but in CT there is a law stating if you cut a sport for one gender you have to cut the other gender as well. Now we pay to play.
As for audits, I always ask our other groups and our PTO publishes ours at the end of the year. In a way it protects me since I handle the money in fundraising. If I need to purchase something the treasurer either gives me money and I give her the change and a receipt or I pay for it and get reimbursed when she gets the receipt. Unless it's a big ticket item I just keep the receipt and write it off on my taxes. I also write off mileage to and from any PTO event I attend in an official capacity(I'm the VP).

Actually it is a FEDERAL law called Title IX that you have to provide equal opportunities for female athletes. Nice guy .

All of our funds from our magazine drive get deposited into the general school account so they are audited with the school accounts.

 

[puffkin]

I don't even have kids yet, and I hate fundraisers! At my work, they get passed from desk to desk, and I can't tell you how many have come through in the past few weeks.

I have started to become very selective on what I buy. I generally only buy for sports, bands, and other types of organizations (and of course girl scout cookies, yum!). I don't usually buy from the general PTO or school fundraisers. I like when the money goes to a particular kid for a particular thing (like a band trip), not when it goes into the general school fund. That is what I pay my exhorbinant taxes for. I know PTO's and such do wonderful things for schools, but I can't support everyone.

The youth league I went to (sports complex for youth sports) when I was a kid had a great system. They fundraise to keep their costs down (it is still $40 a kid per sport, which is very reasonable). When you sign your kid up for the sport, you are given an option of 4-5 different fundraisers (from candy bars to pizzas to coupons to a local sandwhich shop) to pick from. You pick what you want to sell. Or, if you don't want to fundraise, you can either commit to volunteering in the snack bar for a few hours or making a $35 donation. They never had problems meeting their fundraising goals (whether parents sold or just paid the fee) or for having volunteers to work the concession stand or at tournaments and such. I thought it was a great system.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Actually it is a FEDERAL law called Title IX that you have to provide equal opportunities for female athletes. Nice guy .

His actual quote was "I could do without girls sports, how much would that save." My response would have been it would have cost you a heck of a lot more in law suits, but DH beat me to it. He's more well spoken then I am.
Besides which, if he had bothered to come to any sporting event he would have known that all of our sports are co-ed and multi aged because we don't have enough kids to play separate sports.
I actually wouldn't have even known about the law except my brother took women's studies in high school. I'm glad to know it's federal.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

Forgive me if this is a stupid question but...

Why doesn't the PTA/PTO sent out a letter at the beginning of the year stating in leiu of fundraisers they are asking every family to contribute x amount (not per student, just per family). If they asked each family to contribute $20 or $30 for the year and they had 500 students they would get $10k. You can't tell me that these fundraisers clear that much for the school.

 

[grlpwrd]

I'm not too keen on my kids being little salespeople either, but what can you do? Fundraising has its virtues and raising funds for things the kids and schools need is vital.

I sometimes just give a donation...

 

[golfgal]

Forgive me if this is a stupid question but...

Why doesn't the PTA/PTO sent out a letter at the beginning of the year stating in leiu of fundraisers they are asking every family to contribute x amount (not per student, just per family). If they asked each family to contribute $20 or $30 for the year and they had 500 students they would get $10k. You can't tell me that these fundraisers clear that much for the school.

Our magazine drive brings in about $90,000, so yes, some fundraisers do bring in more then that. Our PTA (it is actually called Home and School) does just that, they send a letter with our registration packets asking for contributions. It works for them and they fund raise for "extras" for the school (Catholic school) like field trips, etc. Our magazine drive goes toward the school budget.

 

[CookieGVB]

We're involved with all sorts of fundraisers for my older son's band. The raffle tickets for a trip to Disney World went over big here at work, but that's for the general fund.

They also have a sale of certificates for a WaWa sandwhich, that costs $3 each (the sandwhich is usually $3.79, so the person saves money), and the band gets $1 from each one sold, also for the General Fund.

Each band member has their own individual fund, which they can use to pay the band fee, or put money towards the band trip (which is to Disney World - woohoo!). The kids were allowed to work at the fair this year, and were supposed to be paid a certain amount per hour worked, depending on what was pulled in at the gate. Not even sure how much he earned yet...

There's also been book sox, candles, snacks & something else, I can't remember.

I actually volunteered to run the Entertainment Book sale...I'm still waiting for the information from our fundraiser coordinator. (Anyone want to buy an Entertainment Book?? LOL)

The big seller around my office is the Cinderella cheesecakes. I may be able to fund the entire trip with just those alone.

But this is going to be going on all year 'round. I'll sell the stuff, because that's less money I have to front for the trip.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

Thanks golfgal. It is good to know that some fundraisers bring in a lot of money.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I just wish all of the fundraisers were not at the same time. In August when my niece and nephew in NC started school, I promised to buy one thing from nephew's fundraiser and give $15 to niece (hers is magazines--so is ours, but she gets credit for one sale with a $15 donation). Next week my own two younger kids get magazines, and I got hit up by my niece here in town, but I threw it out before DH saw it because he'd say to get a magazine. We already have popcorn for DS. I will only ask the remaining relatives (my parents) about magazines since my niece's probably got my in-laws. If they sell 4 subscriptions they get to go to "air extreme" which is a deal with a bunch of blow-up things to play on. DD#2 wants to sell 10 to get a limo ride, but since most of this will be my renewals (I throw out all of my renewal notices since I always renew with the kids) I don't think we'll be getting up to 14 subscriptions!
What bugs me is that the magazine sale is the elementary parents'--which covers all 4 elementaries--and two weeks after it is over, they start the wrapping paper sale! Can't they wait until spring? We have stopped buying the wrapping paper except maybe the one item thing, because I'd rather save box tops and go to the carnival for our OWN school association only.
I also will have DD#1 selling pies, etc. soon for choir. And DD#2 has the option of doing the fall product sale for her girl scout troop. Fall product is junk--peanuts, cheap calendars--so we skip it. Last year I don't think her leaders, who I love dearly, were very happy about it, but we sell almost 300 boxes of cookies (I teach at a HS with very hungry boys) so we make up for it then.
I only bother relatives with magazines, and only take popcorn and cookies to school. The only exception I ever made for this was when DD#1 sold some junk in 6th grade and 1/2 her profits went directly to whittling down her $180 fee for 6th grade camp.
All I buy from my students is an entertainment book from DECA and band fruit.
Robin M.

 

[gshanny]

Count me in as another PTO peep. I am the treasurerer. I dislike the fund-raisers, but don't see any other way to get any real money. One thing we do at our school is have permission forms. No kid has to sell and will not be allowed to without the parent signing a form. I have several already get permission and then found out Girl Scouts or something else they were in was selling right now also. That is ok, and I let the kids know that was fine.(one girl I told to hit me up when the cookies get ordered) Even though these kids sold nothing they get something just for attempting. We do not do any type of assembly for winners only.
With this money I am saved about $8 for bus fees for my DS's field trip. The kids get playground equipment and games for rainy days. They all get a book for an author to sign when they come. Of course the authors are through money we earn for the author account.(boxtops, store cards, etc) The kids have twice been taken to Science City all paid for and all on the same day. That is an awesome trip and tiring, but fun. They get snacks on track meet day and the ribbons too. The yearbooks they purchase are almost at cost, if not pennies under like last year.(I personally play Yearbook Fairy every year and pick a kid or two who can't afford one and pay for theirs, but they are not to be told it is me, just the Yearbook Fairy)
We are limited and that is fine by me. We are allowed to have our carnival/chili supper and one other type of fund-raiser. All other money is raised by moms volunteering on picture day to do all the work for the photogs and things like that.
We are a Title 1 school and I would hate to see what would happen if there were no PTO. These kids would miss out on a lot. Some of these kids have a hard enough time coming up with a $1 sometimes for a field trip.
So even though I dislike them a lot, they seem to be an evil we have to endure for all the good that can come out of it.
Now.... anyone interested in ordering something from my DS......

 

[Albertan mom]

As a former fundraising chair for our school-WE LOVE THOSE PEOPLE THAT GIVE MONEY!!!!

If every family just gave $100, we wouldn't have to fundraiser at all.
No magazines, no candles, no wrapping paper, no chocolate bars-nothing!

So please consider giving money-your fundraiser won't look down on that-they will be thrilled! To make $100, a fundraiser basically has to sell about $700-$1000 worth of stuff....

And be nice to your fundraising person-it is a hard job, that gets lots of criticism, not much support, and no praise!

 

[Kitty 34]

We have a bunch:
1. magazines
2. cookie dough
3. popcorn
4. cookies
5. wrapping paper
6. candles
7. cards you buy that offer discounts at local businesses

and probably more.

 

[halestrm]

I get frustrated because I have donated $350 cash, brought in 100 books for the library, got deep discounts for the band department and donated 6 sets of baseball tickets to the auction. I then said enough, when March of Dimes walk comes I will sponser but nothing more until then...and guess what, I still got hit with a follow-up letter, you child hasn't sold anything yet. WTH, I said I would do this INSTEAD of fundraising. I am a manager, can't take the stuff to work, it is intimidating to employees who report to me. No family in town and friends all have kids.

UGGGGHHHh I am ready to run to the hills.

PS Would love to join PTSA but all meetings are a 3:15 pm, sorry, gotta work so I can afford to buy all this stuff.

 

[Albertan mom]

I get frustrated because I have donated $350 cash, brought in 100 books for the library, got deep discounts for the band department and donated 6 sets of baseball tickets to the auction. I then said enough, when March of Dimes walk comes I will sponser but nothing more until then...and guess what, I still got hit with a follow-up letter, you child hasn't sold anything yet. WTH, I said I would do this INSTEAD of fundraising. I am a manager, can't take the stuff to work, it is intimidating to employees who report to me. No family in town and friends all have kids.

UGGGGHHHh I am ready to run to the hills.

PS Would love to join PTSA but all meetings are a 3:15 pm, sorry, gotta work so I can afford to buy all this stuff.

You have done more then your fair share. The PTSA should be thankful to you, not harassing you!!

 

[lbgraves]

Forgive me if this is a stupid question but...

Why doesn't the PTA/PTO sent out a letter at the beginning of the year stating in leiu of fundraisers they are asking every family to contribute x amount (not per student, just per family). If they asked each family to contribute $20 or $30 for the year and they had 500 students they would get $10k. You can't tell me that these fundraisers clear that much for the school.

When our school of 402 students started a month ago we basically did send this home as an option with a contest for the class that brings in the most money combined with box tops. This was in answer to all of the requests to "opt out" with a donation in the past. Would you like to know how much we have received in donations to date? ZERO! Yesterday we sent home our first fundraiser. I would LOVE it if we were able to raise a total of 10K in a year!