What Should a New PTO or PTG Do Before Its First Fundraiser?
Run a few simple, visible events first so families experience value before you ask them for significant fundraising support.
New parent groups often launch with a fundraiser right away.
For families who have not seen the group do anything yet, that first request can feel a bit off.
A better approach is to run a few simple community events first. When families see the group organizing activities, helping teachers, and bringing people together, they understand what the organization does.
That will contribute to a more successful fundraiser later in the year, when community understands how valuable the parent-teacher groups is.
What Are “Community-First” PTO Events?
Community-first events are simple activities that bring families together without focusing on fundraising.
The goal is participation and visibility, not revenue.
A good community-first event:
- helps students have a positive experience
- brings families into the school community
- shows that the parent group supports the school
These early events help families understand that the PTO or PTG exists to strengthen the school community, not just collect money.
What Are Good First Events for a New PTO or PTG?
The best early events are simple, inclusive, and easy for volunteers to run.
Strong options include:
Ice cream social
- Easy welcome event
- Broad participation
- Minimal planning
Pizza night
- Simple family gathering
- Encourages school community connection
- Works well early in the year
Book bingo
- Fun literacy-focused event
- Easy to organize with small prizes
- High student participation
Spirit wear sale
- Builds school identity
- Creates excitement for the group
- Generates light revenue without feeling like a major fundraiser
Spirit wear works best when positioned as school pride first and revenue second.
How Many Events Should a New PTO Run Before Fundraising?
Most new PTOs or PTGs should run three visible events before launching a major fundraiser.
Three events gives families enough exposure to understand the value of the group.
A simple sequence works well:
-
Welcome event Ice cream social or pizza night.
-
Participation event Book bingo or family activity night.
-
School identity event Spirit wear launch.
After these three events, families have experienced the group in action and are much more likely to support fundraising.
How Do You Choose Good Early PTO Events?
Use a simple five-point check when selecting early events.
Ask these questions:
1. Will families notice this happened? If the event is invisible, it will not build trust.
2. How many volunteers will this take? Assume you’ll get no volunteers beyond yourself and the executiy board. Can you run this event?
3. Is the cost manageable? Avoid large upfront expenses before the group has stable funding. Pizza is cheap. Ice cream is cheaper.
4. Does the event include many families? Early events should welcome cast a wide net.
5. Can we clearly communicate the outcome? Families should easily see the result of the event.
If an idea fails two or more of these checks, it is usually not a good early event.
What Happens After Community Events?
Once a PTO or PTG has delivered a few visible wins, the group is ready to consider its first major fundraiser.
At that point:
- families understand the purpose of the group
- volunteers have momentum
- participation is usually much stronger
Next step: Decide When to Run Your First Fundraiser
