PTO Fundraiser
What makes PTO fundraising ideas different than PTA fundraisers? You need to understand the basic difference in the two types of organizations to understand.
The main differences between a PTA and a PTO are fairly simple. The national PTA is a formal membership organization headquartered in Chicago. Local groups that choose to belong to the PTA must pay dues to the state and national organization and abide by state and national group rules. In return they get member benefits, and they get a voice in the operations of the larger organization. The national PTA maintains a Washington, DC, lobbying office and most state PTAs advocate at their respective state capitals, as well. The PTA carefully protects its name, so that - in theory - only dues-paying members of the group can call themselves "PTA."
For more PTA/PTO Fundraiser Ideas and Articles please see:
PTO, on the other hand, is a more generic term. It generally represents the thousands of parent groups that choose to remain independent. These are most often single-school groups that operate under their own bylaws.
Since there is no national or regional organization, PTO fundraising can be designed specifically for the one school it represents. There are no guidelines other than those created within their own bylaws that dictate the do's and do not's of PTO fundraisers. In other words, the organization can choose from any of the following options:
- Discount Card Fundraisers (a PTO fundraiser favorite)
- Cookie Dough Fundraising
- Candy Fundraising
- Read-a-thons (NEW PTO fundraising idea!)
- Lollipop Fundraisers
We strongly suggest your PTO explore all of the options available to it before choosing one particular product to sell. Click here, if you would like, and we will send you a FREE 24-page PTO Fundraising catalog.
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