Sponsorship Guidelines

The law permits a non-profit organization such as PTA, without payment of income taxes and without risking loss of tax exemption, to receive corporate sponsorships. To learn more about sponsorship versus endorsements, click here.

Follow PTA’S Noncommercial Policy

• Do not make a qualitative judgment on the sponsor’s products or services.
• Do not include comparative language or language that implies good quality in the acknowledgment.
• Do not permit the sponsor to write the acknowledgment of thanks.
• Do not ask your members or the public to buy the products or services of the sponsor.
• Do not advertise a product or service.
• Do not endorse a product or service.

Permissible Activities

• Give the corporate sponsor an acknowledgment of thanks in return for the donation.
• Identify the sponsor’s name, a picture of their product, an address, phone number, web page, and/or including URL if on website.
• Include the logo or slogan of the sponsor for example: “Ford, Where Quality is Job One” or “Ford, Makers of Lincoln Mark VII”.
• Provide free product samples. For example, it is acceptable to have a banner which states, “Pepsi: Valued sponsor of the California State PTA Convention – free samples at Booth 56″ However, be sure any food products are approved by your school first.

Prohibited Activities

• Do not include any comparative statement such as, “MCI is better than AT&T!” or “Chevy: Best Car in America!”
• Do not call for someone to purchase a product. For example, “List your home with Century 21 today!” or “Wells Fargo: Open an account today!”
• Do not hang a banner which states, “PTA hates Coca-Cola and loves Pepsi.”

SOURCE: March 2007 issue of the California State PTA publication, “The Communicator”.

PTA does not sell ads or ad space!

DO NOT sell advertising for advertising sake.  PTA DOES thank sponsors and donors for supporting events and we THANK them by acknowledging them as described above in websites, social media, newsletters, banners, and over PA system if at an event.

Include a statement like this wherever appropriate:

XYZ PT(S)A does not endorse any commercial entity, product or service. No endorsement of ABC Business is implied.

• PTA Member Participation Waiver*
• Volunteer Waiver for Adults
• Volunteer Waiver for Students
• Hold Harmless for Vendors
• AIM Insurance Guide – Complete

*required for ALL PTA members – include in your welcome packets or online forms

• Cash Verification Form

Grants are awarded to local PTAs to support efforts that build and grow student achievement, parent engagement and family involvement to make a difference in your community. Deadline typically by mid-October each year.

See CaPTA

• TheShareWay
  If you are looking for more regional or national type of sponsors and want an easy way to submit a donation request, then this is the site for you.  They have a free version (limited notifications) and a paid version (increases the number of notifications of new vendors)
• OneOC
  Helpful resources for non-profits, but you do have to pay for additional services and activities

• Indianapolis University
  How to engage and be culturally aware when fundraising. Offers insights into various groups of people.

Is PTA Allowed to Collect Money for Teacher Gifts?

No. PTA funds are to be spent on programs and events that directly serve students.  Any teacher gift collection is completely optional. Families should be able to choose whether or not they want to participate in any teacher gift collection personally or privately, but not as part of any room rep coordination affiliated with PTA.