Fundraising Activities

The fundraising program at the Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop involves promotional activities in support of our shop -- most are easy to do. 

Work together as a community to reach your fundraising goals.  These fundraising activities for school groups help the Thrift Shop by promoting the shop, bringing in donations, and providing other needed support.  

All of our fundraising options are subject to our budget and the needs of the shop.  Our profits are determined month-to-month, based on sales and operating costs, and we do our best to project our profits for each school year.  We reserve the right to change our program as needed at any time.

All of our fundraising opportunities are promotional in nature and are coordinated through your School Rep.  When you fundraise with us, your group will promote our shop and grow our community profile within your school community.  In this way, our distributions help grow our profits.

Here's what groups can do:

• Show Your Support:  member PTOs, teams, student clubs and groups currently registered with the Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop are invited to participate in the promotional "Show Your Support" fundraising program.  Make a 12 inch wide by 18 inch tall poster to showcase your school group in the store.  Shoppers show their support by shopping and - for every $5 spent in the shop - dropping a token into your collection jar. Token totals at the end of each week determine the amount of funds your group receives.  We will showcase four groups per week this year during weeks when AAPS is in session. *No groups will be booked during scheduled 2011-2012 AAPS break weeks this year.  Payouts for this fundraising activity occur at our regular distributions in September, January, and May.  Email us for details, dates and poster specifications so your group can be a part of this fun, community-based fundraising opportunity.   a2ptothrift@gmail.com

• Promos in Publications:  Promote the shop in your school, PTO, team, group, or club annual or seasonal publications using set promotional PDFs.  This promotional activity helps spread the word about the Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop and its work on behalf of AAPS students to your school community.  It's an easy way to earn extra funds for your group.  Eligible publications are wide-ranging and include school directories, PTO and PTSO newsletters/e-newsletters plus seasonal team sports programs, performance programs and playbills (including theatre, orchestra, band, choir and jazz band), and other year- or season-long publications, as deemed appropriate.  A PDF of our Promo is provided and must be used as provided for a full page.  Verification copies of each publication must be provided to ensure payout.  Funding rates are based on the publications' nature, frequency, and reach.  Payouts for this fundraising activity occur at our regular distributions in September, January, and May.  Email us about your school publication and book a page to promote the Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop.  a2ptothrift@gmail.com

Please note:  all activities and funding rates are subject to change based on the needs and budget parameters of the shop. 

*IMPORTANT 2011-2012 FUNDRAISING UPDATES* 

Please note the following significant changes to our AAPS fundraising program.

One of our regular fundraising activities -- Donation Drives -- has been temporarily suspended based on these shop needs and budget limitations.  Donation Drives may be restored as our budget outlook and inventory needs shift over the course of the school year.  Please understand our need to suspend this activity at this time.  

 Show Your Support has also been changed for the coming school year, 2011-2012.  Our shop will showcase four groups per week this year during weeks when AAPS is in session.  No groups will be booked for Show Your Support fundraising opportunities during scheduled 2011-2012 AAPS break weeks.  

We apologize for any inconvenience these changes may present .  Please be assured that any changes to our fundraising program are not made without careful consideration.  We will update this site with any further changes as soon as they are determined by our Board of Directors and Management Group.  Please email any questions or concerns to our Director of Promotions and Community Relations:  a2ptothrift@gmail.com

How to participate

1. A representative of a school PTO, booster club, or organized club (president, PTO officer, fundraising chair, club faculty adviser, etc.) contacts us and we will start a records worksheet for your school PTO or other group.  We will assist you with further information such as guidelines and fundraising amounts.
2. Your school PTO must have a PTO Thrift Shop representative (" a rep") to participate in our fundraising programs.  See  What's a rep?
3. For group fundraising activities, your group organizes the event by enlisting volunteers, publicizing the event in your school, and following the guidelines.
4. The Thrift Shop keeps track of the support activities performed by your PTO, clubs, or organizations.  Funds for all participation in our fundraising activities will be included for your school PTO on each payout date.
5. Clubs, trips, teams, activities are itemized in the payout report received by your school PTO treasurer to make distribution or crediting to various clubs or organizations simple and easy for you.