PTA Fundraising Chair Responsibilities

PTAs are important providers of school support and a vital role within the organization is the Fundraising Chair. Whether you have been recently asked or are considering involvement, here is a bit of information about this important position.

How to Become a Fundraising Chair

The Fundraising Chair is usually elected by the PTA Board or is appointed by the PTA President. The fundraising committee could be made up of the treasurer, publicity chairman, the room representative coordinator, the principal, a faculty member and perhaps the President. The committee is responsible for all fundraising activities.

Timeframe

Oftentimes the time commitment is one year. The position generally begins in the Summer, say July and lasts through the school year until the end of June; though specific dates may vary by school. The time commitment is also highly variable by school. Some groups require 1-2 hours per week and are compatible with a full-time work and family schedule while others require at least 8-10 hours a week and ask for a high level of schedule flexibility.

Make sure to have a clear understanding of expectations before taking on the role.

Responsibilities

The fundraising chair works with school volunteers, parents, students, staff and community members to oversee all fundraising activities for the PTA. Fundraisers may include large events like walk-a-thons, auctions and book fairs as well as ongoing efforts like BoxTops for Education, Receipt programs and others. Sometimes sub-committees take on these roles with the Fundraising Chair overseeing the sub-committees.

The Fundraising Chair is expected to attend monthly board meetings and be an active member of the PTA. The Chair must develop and manage a sponsorship and procurement team and work closely with school administration to plan key fundraising dates. They must delegate appropriate duties to volunteers and oversee all volunteer training. Overall, the Chair must work and motivate others with a strong sense of the fundraising goals and timeline.

Communication

It is important for the Fundraising Chair to be an efficient and clear communicator. The Chair works closely with the business community to secure services and supply donations. They must review all public fundraising communications and must respond in a timely manner to staff and volunteer coordinator communications. The chair reports periodically to the PTA board on fundraising status.

Qualifications

There are certain qualifications that all PTA Fundraising Chairs should have. The Fundraising Chair should be comfortable using Excel or other database management software and be available by email and cell phone most of the time. They should be detail oriented and have strong organizational skills and a flexible schedule to be around before and after school to meet with instructors, parents, staff and other PTA members.

The PTA Fundraising Chair is a big job to do but a valuable one to your school and a rewarding experience for you and your family.

Lafayette PTA