JJE - Student Fundraising

DUDLEY-CHARLTON REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

POLICY - JJE

Student Fundraising

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education allows student activity organizations to conduct fundraising activities in accordance with School Committee policies and for the benefit of students to supplement student activities. DCRSD allows for 3 categories of fundraising, School Based, Student Activity Based, and Charitable Organization Based. School Based and Student Activity Based will benefit DCRSD directly, while Charitable Organization Based will impact an outside entity. Students may raise funds for Charitable Organization Based purposes if approved in advance by each building Principal.

Students and student groups are barred by state law and regulation from organizing raffles or games of chance, participating in sales of, or purchasing tickets of such games.

While sound fiscal policy and planning is at the heart of public-school funding, DCRSD recognizes that situations may arise where local, state, and federal funding may not be adequate or appropriate. Policy must be established to minimize any risks involved with such endeavors, and to ensure that funding raised impacts the appropriated purpose. DCRSD fundraising protocols cover a variety of situations. However, the district recognizes that any policy statement will not be comprehensive and cover every possible situation. Therefore, the district expects there will be occasions where specific situations will arise that may warrant individual attention and secondary approval from the Superintendent or designee. In addition, the School Committee may amend the Fundraising Policy as needed and at the School Committees discretion.

For the purpose of this policy, any group representative of the school district programs will be governed by this policy.

Guidelines to attain approval and operate are detailed below: Please note DCRSD does not support door to door fundraising. Prioritization for approved fundraising activities will be given to school-based and student activity-based activities primarily, with charitable organization activity to be approved subsequently.

1. All fundraising events must be supervised and accompanied by a DCRSD staff member
2. Any monies collected must be brought to the Finance Office by the following week and by an authorized staff member using a Revenue Report Form
3. If school property utilization is needed, please request approval via ML Schedules system. Approval to be processed within 7 business days. Please refer to the district policy, Use of School Facilities, for further information related to school property utilization.
4. If items are being sold, obtain a quote from the vendor, but the order must be processed by a purchase order BEFORE any costs are incurred. New vendors will be vetted in accordance with DCRSD guidelines. The total cost of the item must be collected in advance. Please maintain a spreadsheet of who paid and submit with the deposit. Keep a copy for distribution.
5. Timing: fund-raising activities should be scheduled so that activities are not held too close together. The activity should not be extended over a long period of time.
6. Age and grade level of the students: Elementary pupils should not be involved in fund-raising activities in the community.
7. Purpose of the fund raising – The purpose for which funds are being raised should be consistent with the goals of the system and fund raising should be considered only for those purposes for which funds are not available in the budget.
8. The nature of the fund-raising activity – The activity should be an appropriate one with
9. consideration being given to the time required and the nature of other fund-raising activities.