{"id":352,"date":"2024-10-16T11:44:03","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T15:44:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forourschool.org\/blog\/?p=352"},"modified":"2024-10-28T11:31:32","modified_gmt":"2024-10-28T15:31:32","slug":"middle-school-fundraising-vs-elementary-school-fundraising","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forourschool.org\/blog\/middle-school-fundraising-vs-elementary-school-fundraising\/","title":{"rendered":"Middle School Fundraising vs Elementary School Fundraising"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Before you spend too much time deciding which fundraisers are right for your school, it is important to first consider the role your PTO should take. While each middle school is different, PTOs tend to take on a much smaller role than they did in elementary school. The role that they do take is often more focused on specific clubs and groups, rather than the school as a whole.<\/p>\n<p>To help you think through the role your PTO might play, here are some key considerations:<\/p>\n<h2>Fundraising needs<\/h2>\n<p>In elementary school, fundraising typically benefits three main groups: the student&#8217;s class, their grade, and the school as a whole. Most fundraisers focus on raising money for broad, school-wide initiatives, but occasionally are targeted towards specific grades (such as a 5th grade class trip) or individual classrooms for materials.<\/p>\n<p>In middle school, students often attend many different classes throughout the day, interacting with students from different grades. Student clubs and activities may also become a significant part of their school experience. As a result, the benefactors of fundraising events may shift from school-wide initiatives to more specific student activities related to these groups.<\/p>\n<h2>Student independence<\/h2>\n<p>As students enter middle school, they begin to take a more active role in deciding on the activities and academics to focus on. This shift can also impact fundraising, as students may start to have more influence over where funds should be directed and what types of events should be held.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike in elementary school, where parents tend to organize and manage events,\u00a0 middle school students may take on these responsibilities, with parents providing oversight and support.<\/p>\n<p>By encouraging students to lead fundraisers, they not only build critical leadership and teamwork skills, but also they become incentivized to their friends and families in the process. This can instill a sense of ownership and pride in the success of the event.<\/p>\n<h2>Academic maturity<\/h2>\n<p>Middle school students are more academically mature and ready to participate in events and projects that are both challenging and complex. This opens the door for fundraisers that are more academically oriented than those typically held in elementary schools. For example, events like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forourschool.org\/blog\/what-is-a-math-a-thon\/\" rel=\"\">math-a-thons<\/a>, science expos, or robotics challenges can raise money while fostering academic growth. These fundraisers can be organized by student clubs and organizations, giving students a chance to apply their learning to real-world projects.<\/p>\n<h2>Parent involvement<\/h2>\n<p>While many middle school fundraising events are led by students, PTOs still play a crucial role in general school-wide fundraising. In many schools, this fundraising is not tied to a specific event and can continue throughout the school year. These funds can be critical, helping to bridge gaps in the school&#8217;s budget and support various programs that benefit the student body as a whole.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding:1rem 0 0;text-align:center;margin:0\">\n<h4 style=\"margin-bottom:1.5rem;font-size:calc(1.375rem + 1.5vw);font-weight:300;line-height:1.2\">Make Fundraising Fun and Educational<\/h4>\n<div style=\"padding:0 0 3rem;font-size:0.975rem;\">ForOurSchool.org is a Math-A-Thon and Read-A-Thon platform focused on enhancing math skills, promoting literacy, and fostering community spirit<\/div>\n<div style=\"--bs-gutter-x: 1.625rem;--bs-gutter-y: 0;display: flex;flex-wrap: wrap;margin-top: calc(-1* var(--bs-gutter-y));margin-right: calc(-0.5* var(--bs-gutter-x));margin-left: calc(-0.5* var(--bs-gutter-x));justify-content: space-between !important;\">\n<div style=\"flex: 0 0 auto;    box-sizing: border-box;padding-right: calc(var(--bs-gutter-x)* .5);padding-left: calc(var(--bs-gutter-x)* .5);width: 50%; margin-bottom:1.5rem\">\n<div style=\"border: 1px solid #696cff !important;background-clip: padding-box;box-shadow: 0 2px 6px 0 rgba(67, 89, 113, .12);position: relative;display: flex;flex-direction: column;min-width: 0;word-wrap: break-word;background-color: #fff;border-radius: .5rem;padding:1rem;\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forourschool.org\/\" style=\"text-decoration:none;color:#000\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100px;box-sizing: border-box;padding: 20px 20px 1rem;height: 100px;border-radius: 50%;margin: 0 auto;align-items: center;justify-content: center;display:flex;border: 2px solid #FDE;background: #FEE;\">\n                  <img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width:100%\" src=\"https:\/\/asset.forourschool.org\/img\/icons\/donation.png\" alt=\"Outstretched hand with heart over it signifying requesting donations\" title=\"Donation request icon\">\n               <\/div>\n<div style=\"font-size:1.125rem;font-weight:bold;padding:1rem 0 .5rem\">Personalized Donation Pages<\/div>\n<div style=\"font-size:.9375rem\">We provide the most secure platform at the best price. That means more money for your school and students!<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a>\n         <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"flex: 0 0 auto;box-sizing: border-box;padding-right: calc(var(--bs-gutter-x)* .5);padding-left: calc(var(--bs-gutter-x)* .5);width: 50%; margin-bottom:1.5rem\">\n<div style=\"border: 1px solid #696cff !important;background-clip: padding-box;box-shadow: 0 2px 6px 0 rgba(67, 89, 113, .12);position: relative;display: flex;flex-direction: column;min-width: 0;word-wrap: break-word;background-color: #fff;border-radius: .5rem;padding:1rem;\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forourschool.org\/\" style=\"text-decoration:none;color:#000\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100px;box-sizing: border-box;padding: 20px 20px 1rem;height: 100px;border-radius: 50%;margin: 0 auto;align-items: center;justify-content: center;display:flex;border: 2px solid #e7e6be;background: #f0f0d9;\">\n                  <img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width:100%\" src=\"https:\/\/asset.forourschool.org\/img\/icons\/leaderboard.png\" alt=\"Podium with star above first place signifying leaderboard\" title=\"Leaderboard icon\">\n               <\/div>\n<div style=\"font-size:1.125rem;font-weight:bold;padding:1rem 0 .5rem\">Flexible Setup<\/div>\n<div style=\"font-size:.9375rem\">We offer a range of customization options, allowing you to tailor your event to perfectly suit your school&#8217;s needs.<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a>\n         <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"flex: 0 0 auto;    box-sizing: border-box;padding-right: calc(var(--bs-gutter-x)* .5);padding-left: calc(var(--bs-gutter-x)* .5);width: 50%; margin-bottom:1.5rem\">\n<div style=\"border: 1px solid #696cff !important;background-clip: padding-box;box-shadow: 0 2px 6px 0 rgba(67, 89, 113, .12);position: relative;display: flex;flex-direction: column;min-width: 0;word-wrap: break-word;background-color: #fff;border-radius: .5rem;padding:1rem;\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forourschool.org\/\" style=\"text-decoration:none;color:#000\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100px;box-sizing: border-box;padding: 20px 20px 1rem;height: 100px;border-radius: 50%;margin: 0 auto;align-items: center;justify-content: center;display:flex;border: 2px solid #b5dfba;background: #daf0dd;\">\n                  <img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width:100%\" src=\"https:\/\/asset.forourschool.org\/img\/icons\/arithmetic.png\" alt=\"Plus, minus, multiplication, and equal sign operators signifying arithmetic math problem\" title=\"Arithmetic icon\">\n               <\/div>\n<div style=\"font-size:1.125rem;font-weight:bold;padding:1rem 0 .5rem\">Extensive Math Practice<\/div>\n<div style=\"font-size:.9375rem\">Students can access over 400 math games online or via printed worksheets, with problems aligned to their grade level and ability.<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a>\n         <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"flex: 0 0 auto;    box-sizing: border-box;padding-right: calc(var(--bs-gutter-x)* .5);padding-left: calc(var(--bs-gutter-x)* .5);width: 50%; margin-bottom:1.5rem\">\n<div style=\"border: 1px solid #696cff !important;background-clip: padding-box;box-shadow: 0 2px 6px 0 rgba(67, 89, 113, .12);position: relative;display: flex;flex-direction: column;min-width: 0;word-wrap: break-word;background-color: #fff;border-radius: .5rem;padding:1rem;\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forourschool.org\/\" style=\"text-decoration:none;color:#000\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100px;box-sizing: border-box;padding: 20px 20px 1rem;height: 100px;border-radius: 50%;margin: 0 auto;align-items: center;justify-content: center;display:flex;border: 2px solid #badfea;background: #e1f8ff;\">\n                  <img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width:100%\" src=\"https:\/\/asset.forourschool.org\/img\/icons\/progress-bar.png\" alt=\"Progress bar steadily growing representing personal goals that can be set\" title=\"Progress bar icon\">\n               <\/div>\n<div style=\"font-size:1.125rem;font-weight:bold;padding:1rem 0 .5rem\">Personal Reading Goals<\/div>\n<div style=\"font-size:.9375rem\">Students are encouraged to reach their personal reading goals through motivational messages and unlockable avatars.<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a>\n         <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Before you spend too much time deciding which fundraisers are right for your school, it is important to first consider the role your PTO should&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":365,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forourschool.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/352"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forourschool.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forourschool.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forourschool.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forourschool.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=352"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.forourschool.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/352\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":409,"href":"https:\/\/www.forourschool.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/352\/revisions\/409"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forourschool.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/365"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forourschool.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forourschool.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forourschool.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}