PTO Today..

With so many fundraising options available to PTO’s, it’s easy to second-guess your decisions.
Did we choose the right company to work with? Did we have our product sale at the best time?

 

How do we know a fundraising company is reputable?
A. Check references.
B. Go with your gut feeling.
Answer: A. It’s crucial to check references. Ask for schools that are similar to yours in terms of size and demographics, and schools that have worked with the same rep you will be working with. Consider it a significant red flag if a vendor won’t supply references. Also checking out a company’s social media sites like Facebook, Pinterest and twitter to see what you can learn about it.

Do certain fundraisers work for big schools, and are others better suited for smaller schools?
A. Yes
B. No
Answer: B. No, not necessarily. It comes down to the sales representative and the parents helping run the sale. From a school’s perspective, large or small, they need to get parents and sponsors behind fundraisers from the start.

What are the best times of year to hold fundraisers?
A. There’s no single best time.
B. Don’t worry about the timing. People should support your school at any time of year.
C. Try to find a time when other schools and youth groups aren’t also fundraising.
Answer: A. What works for any one group depends on a number of factors The most common time to run a product sale is in the fall, typically shortly after school starts, followed by the spring. One reason is the need for groups to raise funds early in the year to support their work.

What are some of the expenses that can eat into a fundraiser’s profits?
A. Shipping costs
B. Prizes
C. Participation penalties
D. All of the above
Answer: D. Be sure to ask about all costs before selecting a fundraiser.
We can’t give students prizes as a fundraising incentive. How can we get kids excited and motivated, then?
A. Tell student’s participation is mandatory.
B. Get creative. Ask the principal to dye his hair or do another stunt if students meet their goal.
Answer: B. The only gratification a kid gets from fundraising is a prize, you’ve got to motivate kids to let them come home and be excited.

What’s a good first fundraiser for a new PTO or PTA?
A. Get people’s attention with a trendy new product.
B. Pick a proven product that other schools in your area aren’t selling.
C. It doesn’t matter. Just pick what you like.
Answer: B. familiar products are safest. Go with tried and trusted products that have proven to work in this industry over the last 10 years.

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