• IGDF: Fundraising, Crowdfunding, and Fund Management

    Policy

     

    Fundraising by Students and Student Activities

    The Board believes in providing opportunities for students to participate through extracurricular and cocurricular activities in fundraising projects that contribute to their educational growth and do not conflict with the instructional program. However, since the Ohio Revised Code and the Auditor of State mandate careful accounting of the receipt and expenditure of such funds, all fiscal operations of student groups must comply with the following guidelines:

    • Participation by students is voluntary.
    • Recognized student groups conduct fundraising to contribute to educational objectives or further the goals of the student group.
    • All fundraising activities are appropriate to the age or grade level of the student participating and consist of activities that schools may appropriately engage in.
    • Teachers or administrators supervise the fundraising, and their participation should not unduly demand their time or work.
    • Schools should limit the number of school-community fundraising campaigns conducted for any school in a given school year to avoid becoming a burden or nuisance to the community and be sensitive to direct competition with fundraising efforts sponsored by recognized groups and organizations within the community.
    • Activity scheduling should not infringe upon instructional time or interfere with scheduled school classes and activities.
    • Prizes or incentives for students who participate should be modest.
    • Students in Grades K-8 shall not engage in door-to-door solicitation unescorted by an adult unless the parent grants permission.
    • Fundraising shall not provide essential items required for instruction in the adopted curriculum.

    The building principal supervises the application of the above criteria for student fundraising activities with an activity approval process established by the Chief Executive Officer or designee and in compliance with additional District procedures related to student activities.

     

    Crowdfunding

    Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project, cause, or purchase through the solicitation of many monetary donations from the public over the Internet. Employees engaging in crowdfunding solicitations must adhere to this Policy.

    Approval of Crowdfunding Solicitations

    Crowdfunding solicitations must be for the direct benefit of students. Employees must use all goods, materials, and monetary donations resulting from solicitations for the purpose stated in the solicitation.

    Educators must communicate with their principal regarding all planned crowdfunding solicitations and get approval from their principal for any solicitation valued at $1,000 or greater. Educators should follow the same approval procedures used for other student activity fundraising efforts.

    Authorized Crowdfunding Platforms

    The Chief Executive Officer or designee may limit the crowdfunding platforms (i.e., websites) employees may use to create crowdfunding solicitations. If the Chief Executive Officer or designee restricts specific platforms, a list of approved platforms will be made available to employees.

    Employees should prioritize using crowdfunding platforms that send goods and materials resulting from successful solicitations directly to their schools instead of platforms that provide donated money.

    Acceptance and Receipt of Money, Goods, and Services

    All money, goods, supplies, materials, or equipment obtained through a crowdfunding solicitation by an employee acting in their capacity as employees and/or for the intended benefit of students shall become the school's property. The money, goods, supplies, materials, or equipment can move from the school with the approval of the CEO or designee.

    Any monetary donations received must be deposited into the appropriate district bank account and made available to the employee through the school's student activity account. In addition, all goods received must be inventoried according to district policies and procedures.

    The Board of Education formally accepts any monetary donations and goods or materials valued at $2,500 or greater obtained through crowdfunding. Employees must notify the Chief Financial Officer of such successful solicitations for formal acceptance by the Board.

    The District is not obligated to install or support technology received through crowdfunding. Educators must work with their principal before establishing a crowdfunding solicitation that may require additional support or investment.

    Intellectual Property and Representation

    Employees must adhere to the branding standards established by the Chief Executive Officer or designee to use the District's name, logos, mottos, mascots, or associated identifying marks or colors.

    Employees acting in their roles as employees and making representations of their school and the District must positively represent themselves, their students, their school, and the District.

    Ethical Limitations

    Employees shall not use crowdfunding to knowingly solicit or accept any compensation to perform their required official duties or supplement their compensation as District employees.

    Student Confidentiality

    Crowdfunding solicitations should not violate any federal or state law, including those governing the confidentiality of student information.

     

    Funds Management

    To safeguard and provide for the efficient financial operation of student activities, the District manages student activity, fundraising, and crowdfunding proceeds as follows:

    • The District places all funds collected through fundraising and crowdfunding under the control and oversight of the Chief Financial Officer.
    • The Chief Financial Officer handles all funds following the State Auditor's requirements, including in an accounting system that complies with the regulations of the Ohio Auditor.
    • The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for properly accounting for student activities funds and is authorized to receive and disburse student funds supporting the entire school activity program.
    • The Chief Financial Officer designates individuals with student activity financial management responsibilities.
    • Requests for purchases from student activities funds can be made only by faculty advisors, coaches, or teachers assigned to an activity and reviewed and approved using the District's procurement systems and procedures.
    • The Chief Financial Officer or designee consolidates dormant funds into a general student activities account to be used at the discretion of the school leader to support other cocurricular and extracurricular activities.

    History

    • Adopted: October 4, 2001
    • Amended: May 24, 2022

    Legal References