The Appleton Area School District values the generous support of our community in helping our students succeed. While we appreciate the intent of individuals, businesses, and organizations who wish to hold fundraisers or supply drives that may benefit our schools, we must also ensure that any public association with the district is consistent with our mission and values and follows all legal requirements.
To that end, the following guidelines apply to requests from private individuals, organizations, and companies wishing to promote an event, fundraiser, or supply drive that they indicate will benefit the district or its students.
Direct Donations Preferred
The district accepts donations of school supplies, funds, and other resources directly from individuals and organizations. Learn more here.
Direct donations ensure that contributions go entirely to support our students and allow us to acknowledge donors appropriately.
We encourage those wishing to help to work directly with our Family & Community Engagement Department to ensure donations meet our needs.
Community Collaboration
We deeply appreciate the willingness of community members and organizations to support our students. To ensure contributions have the greatest impact, the district provides a list of current priority needs that helps coordinate donation efforts that are fully aligned with our schools.
Promotional Requests
The district does not promote third-party events, sales, raffles, or fundraisers in which:
- The event is organized primarily by a private business or organization for its own marketing or profit purposes.
- The district is not directly involved in the planning, oversight, or accounting of proceeds.
- The percentage or value of proceeds benefiting the district is unclear, minimal, or not guaranteed.
Promotional channels (district website, social media, newsletters, etc.) are reserved for district-sponsored or district-partnered events that have been formally approved.
Use of the District Identity
- Unauthorized use of the district’s identity in marketing or promotional materials will be requested to cease immediately.
Transparency & Accountability
Any organization wishing to publicly associate the district with a fundraising effort must:
- Submit a written request describing the event, timeline, promotional plans, and intended benefit to the district to the Family & Community Engagement Department.
- Provide clear documentation of how and when the district will receive the promised benefit.
The district reserves the right to decline association with any event that does not align with our mission or operational guidelines.
School-Affiliated Group Fundraisers
- School-based organizations such as PTOs, PTAs, Booster Clubs, Charter Boards, and officially recognized student groups may partner with local businesses (e.g., restaurant nights, percentage-of-sales promotions) as part of their ongoing fundraising efforts.
- These partnerships must be initiated and managed by the school-affiliated group, with proceeds going directly to support school programs.
- The district may share information about these events if they are sponsored by a school-affiliated group and meet all district communication guidelines.
