PTO Today Spending Survey 2019: Small but Mighty
PTOs have fewer volunteers, but many leaders feel they're expected to do more. How does your group compare?
If it feels like fewer people actively volunteer with your group than they did a few years ago, you're not alone. PTO Today reader surveys show that the percentage of school parent groups with more than 30 volunteers has steadily declined, from 21% in 2013 to 8% in 2019. The majority of groups in a November 2019 PTO Today reader survey—80%—have 20 or fewer volunteers.
PTO Today has conducted the survey every two years since 2011. The 2019 survey asked leaders about their parent group's plans for the 2019-20 school year. Leaders from 896 schools participated. Keep reading for more about what parent groups look like and the ways they support their schools.
Key Areas of Support: Money and Time
45% of leaders feel their group has been expected to offer more financial support in the 2019-20 school year than in the previous school year.
38% of leaders feel their group has been expected to offer more volunteer support in the 2019-20 school year than in the previous school year.
Fundraising Facts
93% of groups hold a fall fundraiser (13% increase in groups holding fall fundraisers from 2017 to 2019).
How fall fundraisers performed:
50% of groups' profits up from previous year
26% of groups' profits about the same both years
24% of groups' profits down from previous year
What Parent Groups Look Like
80% of groups have 20 or fewer volunteers
Fewer groups have a large volunteer base (30-plus people)
21% = 2013
14% = 2015
9% = 2017
8% = 2019
Most groups have budgets of $15,000 or less
25% = $0-$5,000
31% = $5,001-$15,000
20% = $15,001-$25,000
10% = $25,001-$35,000
13% = $35,000+
76% of groups prepare an annual budget
Planned Spending
33% of groups expect to increase spending on family events
32% of groups say they will sped more on student enrichment
25% of groups expect to increase spending on teaching aids and classroom supplies
25% of groups expect to spend more on school equipment or renovations
How Parent Groups Spend Money
Leaders told us these are their top priorities
49%: how many students and/or staff will benefit
29%: how well it fits with the group's mission and goals
10%: how urgent the need is
6%: doing the same thing that's been done in the past
4%: whether it supports the administration's academic goals
2%: other
Budget Breakdown
On average, here's how much parent groups plan to spend this school year:
$3,939 student enrichment (assemblies, (assemblies, field trips, author visits)
$3,740 school equipment or renovations (including playgrounds)
$3,114 teaching aids and classroom supplies
$2,369 technology purchases (hardware and software)
$1,795 family events
$1,216 teacher and staff appreciation
$721 principal’s discretionary fund
Biggest Budget Changes
Family events down 14% on average
Student enrichment down 13% on average
Teacher and staff appreciation up 9% on average
