Giving Tuesday playbook for a PTA or PTO

Steps

1. T-6 weeks: get board and principal approval, and confirm your PTA's nonprofit/tax status and how donations are receipted.
2. T-5 weeks: pick one concrete goal (for example, classroom libraries) and a dollar target.
3. T-4 weeks: ask a local business or family for a matching gift.
4. T-2 weeks: set up the donation page on the platform your PTA already uses, and test a $1 donation.
5. T-1 week: announce in the newsletter; schedule reminders for the morning, lunchtime and evening of Dec 1.
6. Day-of: post progress updates toward the goal.
7. Within 48 hours: thank every donor and share the total.

Money-handling notes

• Follow your PTA's bylaws and treasurer procedures; two people should reconcile online donations against the platform report.
• Check your state PTA guidance and school district rules before naming a business sponsor.

Sources

GivingTuesday — https://www.givingtuesday.org/