Student Fundraising Activities
NEPN/NSBA Code: JJE
The School Committee recognizes that it is responsible for providing, through the budget process, the resources necessary to support the school unit’s instructional program. However, the School Committee acknowledges that student organizations may wish to engage in fundraising in order to support their activities, to provide funding for social events and/or student travel, to benefit the school or community, or for humanitarian purposes.
It is the purpose of this policy to provide guidelines for student participation in fundraising activities.
A. Fundraising Guidelines by Student Organizations, including the Solicitation of Funds by and From Students for Humanitarian or Charitable Organizations.
All student fundraising activities must be approved in advance by the building principal. There must be sufficient educational or financial benefits to the school and/or students to justify the fundraising activity.
Student fundraising activities must be supervised by a building administrator, teacher or activity advisor.
The activity must be one in which schools and students may appropriately engage, and must not subject the schools or students to unnecessary risk or responsibility. In the event there is a question regarding the appropriateness of a proposed activity, the building principal shall consult with the Superintendent.
Participation by students shall be voluntary.
The activity must not be unduly demanding of student or staff time or work. Neither students nor staff should miss instructional time to plan or implement fundraising activities, acquire, demonstrate or distribute products, solicit sales, or to collect or record monies. Students may participate in fundraising activities during non-instructional time, such as lunch periods and before and after school.
There shall be no mandatory quotas for product sales or donations.
Class time will not be used for distribution of promotional materials.
Students participating in fundraising activities are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with School Committee policies, school rules and the student code of conduct.
In the interest of student safety, activities involving door-to-door solicitation by elementary level students are prohibited unless prior explicit approval by the principal is granted.
The building administrator and teachers or advisors supervising fundraising activities will be responsible for the collection, monitoring, deposit into student activity accounts, and disbursement of funds raised in accordance with the School Committee’s policy JJF, Student Activities Funds Management.
Participation in or donation to any fundraising activity shall be optional. Under no circumstances will any student be compelled to participate or donate, or be penalized for not participating or donating.
All fundraising activities shall conform to the expectations set forth in the district wellness policy (NEPN/NSBA Code JL).
B. Use of Students in PTO/Parent Group, Booster Groups and Educational Foundation Fundraisers
The School Committee recognizes that PTOs, Booster groups, educational foundations and other parent groups may wish to involve students in fundraising activities. The following provisions apply to student participation in such activities:
Any fundraising activity sponsored by a PTO, educational foundation, or other parent group that involves student participation must be approved in advance by the building principal and be conducted in consultation with the building principal and staff.
Participation should provide a positive experience for students.
Participation by staff and students shall be voluntary.
Instructional time will not be used for fundraising activities or solicitations.
Athletic booster groups are an extension of the athletic program and, therefore, are subject to the restrictions of the Maine Principals Association Sport Season Policy. As such, student and coach participation in booster fundraising activities shall be limited to the season to which the sport is assigned. This policy applies to all booster groups serving student athletes in grades 9 through 12 during the school year only and does not apply during the summer recess. The MPA policy defines each sport season as being preceded by a practice period of a set duration.
C. Coordination of Fundraising Activities
PTOs, educational foundations, boosters and other parent groups are encouraged to coordinate their fundraising activities with student organization-initiated fundraisers in order to avoid burdening local businesses and the community.
Each principal shall maintain a fundraising calendar to appropriately schedule fundraisers over the school year.
Cross Reference:
JJF-Student Activities Funds Management
JL-Wellness Policy
EFE-Sale of Foods in School
Maine Principals Association Sports Season Policy
Adopted: June 23, 2011