5 Ways to Refresh Your PTO Goals for a Successful School Year

As a new school year approaches, it's the perfect time to refresh your PTO or PTA goals.

Whether you're building on existing ideas or starting with a clean slate, refreshing your goals starts with two steps: assess your needs, and envision what success looks like this year. 

Below, we share tips for refreshing your PTO or PTA goals—everything from fundraising to communication and participation targets.

1. Think SMART

Before deciding on your game plan for the year, you need to set SMART targets to move the needle toward tangible results. A SMART goal is defined as:

• S(pecific) – Your PTA goal is specific, clear, and easy to understand, including all necessary details. The PTA will raise $5,000 through fundraising to update the playground.
  
  
• M(easurable) – Your target is easily trackable and measurable. Through two fundraising events.
  
  
• A(ttainable) – Your goal is something you can reasonably achieve. Dream big, envision any potential challenges, and then edit your objective to accommodate them. The PTO will raise $5,000.
  
  
• R(elevant) – Your goal supports your PTA or PTO's missions and objectives. To update the playground.
  
  
• T(ime-bound) – Your target has a specific deadline or timeframe. By January.

When you combine these, your SMART goal is this: The PTA will run two fundraising events to raise $5,000 by January to update the playground.

Plus, you can set school fundraising targets for anything, from raising money for classroom supplies to improving student safety with new playground equipment.

2. Ask yourself these questions

When updating your PTO or PTA goals for the upcoming year, check in with yourself on the following: 

• Are we involving as many people as possible in setting our PTO or PTA goals, through surveys, suggestion boxes, or in-person meetings? Reassure fellow parents that you have their interests top of mind.
  
  
• Do we have one primary goal supported by a few smaller, more achievable objectives? Parents often feel like they're being asked to do too much, but know you can still garner their support without overwhelming them.
  
  
• Think about your organization's future. What do you want the PTO to accomplish? Who do you want to be involved? What benefits can you provide students for years to come?

Considering these questions can help you set your PTA or PTO goals effectively.

3. Adjust your fundraising strategy

Do you have significant financial goals to reach with your fundraisers this year? While traditional options like bake sales or family game nights work well, you can also switch it up with ideas like:

• Passive earning programs like RaiseRight
• Read-a-thons
• Restaurant nights
• Auctions
• Movie at the park
• Parents' night out

By offering a variety of fundraisers throughout the year, you can make participation more accessible, boost engagement, and maximize your earnings. If your PTO or PTA has been running the same fundraiser for years, consider mixing it up to reach a wider audience.

Not sure which fundraising ideas to try first? Check out this free 12-Month Fundraising Workbook, packed with creative, seasonal ideas to keep your efforts fresh—and help your PTO or PTA potentially raise $10,000 or more in a year.

4. Rethink your communications plan

One major roadblock many PTOs and PTAs face is reaching the right people, from members to community leaders. If increasing awareness is among your PTO goals this year, improving and diversifying your communication methods can help you spread your messages more efficiently.

Here are some tips for specific communication channels:

• Email – Communicating crucial information via email is one of the easiest ways to reach a large group. Send anything from event and fundraiser reminders to announcements or meeting agendas.
  
  
• Social media – Create a members-only (or public) Facebook group to reach relevant folks in your community. Share information quickly, or post reminders, updates, and event photos.
  
  
• Newsletter – You can distribute newsletters via email, blog, or as hard copies sent home with students. Newsletters work well for calendars, activity reminders, and sharing goals and achievements.

Better communication also makes discussing your PTO or PTA goals easier with parents, teachers, and the community. 

Read more: PTO and PTA Ideas for Back-to-School Events

5. Ease parent involvement

Lastly, if your PTO or PTA goals focus on increasing involvement, lower barriers to entry or offer flexible ways for parents to participate without demanding additional time or energy.

One way to do this is to coordinate parents' strengths and interests with relevant jobs.

For example, talkative, outgoing parents with open schedules may prefer to be chaperones or leaders at events. Parents with less availability or personality differences may prefer to help with bookkeeping or social media.

You can also make involvement more convenient by offering refreshments or child care at after-school meetings. These ideas can help parents participate in your PTO or PTA by alleviating some of their other responsibilities. 

Additionally, consider low-effort fundraisers, like RaiseRight, that make it easy for even the busiest families to get involved. Not every parent has time to volunteer or attend events, but everyone shops.

With RaiseRight, families can support your PTO or PTA just by shopping or dining at places they love. They can buy gift cards for everyday purchases or gifting, shop online using affiliate links, dine at participating restaurants, or book travel, and every purchase earns money back for your organization.

With hundreds of brands to choose from, RaiseRight has something for everyone. Parents can effortlessly contribute to your PTO or PTA through routine spending, without the extra commitment.