PTO Fundraising Questions and Answers

December, 2007

As parent/teacher organizations begin to plan next years' fundraisers, they need to consider the following issues. Hopefully the responses to these questions will provide additional guidance as groups move forward in their planning.

Is a PTO fundraiser considered a "school related activity"?
Answer: YES
Can the PTO sponsor a fundraiser that sells candy if we are selling to PARENTS and not to kids?
Answer: NO Board of Ed policy states: "Food related fundraising - Candy will not be given or sold to students during the school day. In addition, after 9/1/2008, candy will not be offered for sale as part of any school related activity or fundraising at the elementary and middle schools."
If we distribute our product outside of school hours, does it still fall within the guidelines?
Answer : YES
What is the difference between a "Booster Club" that can sell candy, and a "PTO"? I'm assuming Booster Club is for sports, but maybe not? Can we only sell candy to support sports, not education? Or can we create an "Education" Booster Club and make that a subset of the PTO, and still do our regular sales thru that?
Answer: Booster Clubs are designated for high schools and support high school needs including athletics. Elementary and middle schools do not have booster clubs. PTOs are the approved support organization for elementary and middle schools. The original draft of the MMSD Wellness Policy prohibited the sale of candy across all grade levels, including booster clubs at the high schools. The Board of Education chose to exempt high school Boosters and clubs, allowing them to sell candy outside of school. The Board of Education chose to prohibit the sale of candy at the elementary and middle school levels.
Can candy still be a part of a fundraiser that includes other things?
Answer: YES until Sept. 1, 2008. PTOs need to seek suppliers that do not include candy in their marketing materials. As school districts across the nation adopt policies prohibiting the sale of candy and other junk foods, suppliers should be getting on line.
Examples:
Innisbrook Sale: even if we eliminate the candy-only catalogue, the "regular" wrapping paper catalogue still includes peppermint candies, cashew brittle, etc.
Answer: Not allowed after Sept. 1, 2008.

Market Day includes candies and other food items that don't meet our guidelines. Can PTOs continue selling through Market Day.
Answer: YES. Market Day was contacted in fall of 2006 informing them of the MMSD Wellness Policy. No response was received but the Wellness Committee Chair will contact them again. Our hope is that they change their catalogue to exclude candy. Many Market Day products would not hold up well under the Wellness Policy guidelines(fat content especially), but the policy only addresses candy at this point.
Can PTOs sell Fannie Mae gift cards and the like? Would this be considered the same as selling candy? SCRIP includes cards for candy shops and other sweets only stores (i.e., Fannie Mae).
Answer: YES. Selling SCRIP and gift cards is fine. This is not selling candy, however, PTOs must ask themselves if selling certain gift cards is in contradiction to MMSD Wellness Policy goals and intent.
Is other junk food banned such as a fund raiser, such as cookie dough, sweet rolls, etc.?
Answer: NO. Many products would not hold up well under the Wellness Policy guidelines(fat content especially), but the policy only addresses candy at this point. Some schools have had success in selling locally grown items( Hamilton) and citrus fruits around the holidays.

If you have further questions about specific situations, please send an email to Lucy Chaffin at lchaffin@madison.k12.wi.us. The Wellness Committee will review the questions and post answers on the website.

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