In our district, we call the collection of Box Tops, Campbell's, etc, "Cash for Trash",the no-selling fundraiser. Our district has only one restriction on fundraisers, the students can only be used two times per school year. All of the principals are gracious to allow the PTA to use them for one and the school has one. Our other fundraisers are a community craft show, and this year a Krispy Kreme sale. But we don't use students for that one, a flier is sent home for families to purchase the donuts with a paragraph stating that if they would like to sell to family and friends, that is acceptable.
Our district also advertises in the school and through newsletters that the schools can earn more money through Target, Meijer, and our local Spartan stores.
A friend of mine was PTO prez at a small school in Texas and her principal considered it a fundraiser. They were only allowed three per year. A neighboring county with a fundraising limit also views it as fundraising. (The same county that once sent back a $200.00 Target check!)
I hate to pitch it as a fundraiser because when many parents see that word it is a turn off. I hear parents complain alot that they are always having to send money to school for fundraising. Our Boxtops in the district do very well. I suppose since a product is bought and a portion of that money goes to school many would see it as a fundraiser. But as a busy mom I'd much rather clip Box Tops than sell something.
We consider it a collection. You are making money for something that would otherwise be garbage, so we don't consider it a contribution or a fundraiser really.
We have always used boxtops dollars as contribution, however with a new principal, she insists that this is a fundraiser since we are getting cash for the boxtops.
I argue that parents could give us a cash donation as well...that it is not a fundraiser.
