FUNDRAISING

Background

Schools raise funds in order to add to the school’s resources or to carry out established programs or initiatives that are not supported by the District budget.  Fundraising activities are initiated most often by staff, students and/or parents.  Businesses, community groups and individuals are sometimes requested to make donations of goods or services to support school activities.

The District recognizes that schools are involved in fundraising activities in order to provide additional goods and services to students, and that these activities are supported by the school communities in our District.  The District reserves its right to intervene if the proposed fundraising activity is inappropriate.  Principals, in consultation with their Parents’ Advisory Council and staff have the responsibility to ensure that all fundraising activities follow this Administrative Procedure.

Definition

Fundraising is deemed to include activities designed to provide money, goods or services for use in the school through:

• Sales to members of the community including parents, staff and students
• The solicitation or acceptance of donations from, or contracts with persons or businesses outside of the school.

Fundraising includes contracts for the purchase of goods and services entered into by a school only if they involve a rebate of money, or the provision of free goods and services to the school.

Procedures

1. All fundraising activities conducted in the school or outside the school, using the name of the school in any way, must have the approval of the Principal.
2. In considering fundraising plans, prior to their approval, principals are to consider factors including:
   1. The safety of students, staff members and volunteers.
   2. The voluntary nature of the planned activities.
   3. Plans that have a minimum effect on regular instructional time.
   4. The age of students and their potential vulnerability to any commercial values or messages associated with the fundraising endeavor.
   5. An opportunity for the school’s Parents’ Advisory Council and Staff to be made aware of the fundraising proposal in its planning stages and to provide feedback to the Principal.
   6. How contributors will be made aware of the purposes for which funds are being raised.
3. A fundraising activity must benefit the school and school community and be consistent with school procedures and with the overall direction of the school as a positive learning community.
4. A fundraising activity may not interfere with the nature or delivery of the school’s educational program.
5. Business relationships must not engage the school in what would appear to be a contentious political, moral, ethical or social issue.
6. Any fundraising that involves donations or partnerships, including those that are connected in any way to businesses or corporations, must be in accordance with Administrative Procedure 525 – External Funding.
7. Principals are encouraged to communicate with each other regarding planned fundraising activities in order to avoid conflicts regarding timing, the type of fundraising or target groups.
8. Sponsors of fundraising activities will ensure that:
   1. The parents of the students of the class or of the school are in support of the proposed activities and of the proposed dates for the venture
   2. There is clear understanding in advance of any contract or agreement as to what form of recognition, if any, donors or contractors may receive; such recognition will be in accordance with the provisions of Administrative Procedure 525.
   3. The scope of the fundraising is proportional to the planned activity
   4. Plans are shared regarding the disbursement of any funds that are surplus to the cost of the activity.
9. Upon request, the Parent Advisory Council may ask for information on fundraising activities from the Principal.
10. Sponsors of lotteries, raffles or games of chance must be sure to comply with the appropriate government licensing regulations.  Casino-style or similar gambling events are not considered appropriate fundraising activities for schools.
11. Students involved in any “door to door” solicitation, whether on behalf of the school or any other agency are to:
    1. Carry school identification,
    2. Solicit in pairs or groups, never alone,
    3. Present a school handout clearly articulating the purpose of the fundraising.
12. All funds raised under this Administrative Procedure shall be accounted for in accordance with Administrative Procedure 511 – School Non-Public Funds.
13. Any proposal for fund raising through a partnership with a business is to be considered within the provisions of Administrative Procedure 525 – External Funding.
14. Where a Parents’ Advisory Council wishes to raise funds for the school, using the school name, staff, or students in the process, it must follow the terms of this Administrative Procedure.