We do accept donations in the form of our pledge drive. Rather than having members, all our families are automatically members of the group. We have a pledge drive rather than a membership drive. We ask for $180 per student - which seems high but is really only $1 per school day. We tell people that if they give during the pledge drive they don't have to feel obligated to give during our fundraisers. Actually, people still buy during our fundraisers and pledge for our jogathon.
We had over 200 families give pledges and raised over $45,000 this year from the pledges alone.
I know this would not work everywhere and not every school could ask for this much money, but if you push that it's entirely tax deductible, push matching corporate donations (some companies match donations to 501c3s) and push the $1 per day (or 50 cents per day) you will be surprised how successful you can be. Some of the schools in our area were able to raise over $100,000 this way and they just stopped having other fundraisers.
If you're a 501c3 and the donot doesn't get anything in return, then... yes, that $120 would be a $120 deductible charitable contribution. The donor might want a receipt for that donation, though I believe a receipt is only required for a donations north of $200 or $250 total.
I know we cant survive on just asking for donations. I am somehow going to state in a reminder note that if they can't particpate in the fundraisers that making a donation would also help us out. Just not sure how to word it so that we state the fundraiser helps us out more but a donation would be better than nothing. Still thinking on that!!!
Cindy
Cindy<br />
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<br>"People have the right to be stupid, but some abuse the privelege."
We don't make that choice for our parents/members. We offer a fundraiser of selling Wrapping paper and some of our parents make donations. I for one made a donation and only sold a few items because of the role I have at school. We raised over $66,000 and kept $33,000. I can't complain.
Do they have to be mutually exclusive? We always allow people to make a donation if that's what they prefer. Either way, it's cash in our PTO pocket!
Kelley
Madison PTO
Mount Vernon, WA
