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Chandler School Boosters describes umbrella role for 185 PTOs and boosters and financial controls
Summary
Chandler School Boosters (CSB) told the CUSD governing board that it functions as an umbrella 501(c)(3) for parent booster clubs and PTOs, providing standardized bylaws, banking, reporting and training; the organization reported $4.5 million raised last year across 185 clubs and explained a pro rata fee structure to cover CSB operating costs.
Dana Steers, director of Chandler School Boosters (CSB), told the Chandler Unified School District governing board that CSB serves as a 501(c)(3) umbrella organization for PTOs and booster clubs across the district and provides accounting, filing and training services for parent-run groups.
Steers said CSB now encompasses about 185 active booster clubs and PTOs and that those groups collectively raised roughly $4.5 million last year to support extracurricular activities and school events. She said the parent organizations are run primarily by volunteers—about 830 parent volunteers across clubs—and that the CSB team consists of a small operations staff that supports the network.
CSB standardizes bylaws, budgets and banking by operating under a single tax ID and by using one financial institution that integrates with its accounting software. The centralization, Steers said, provides financial transparency and reduced instances of mishandling funds. She said CSB files 990s on behalf of the clubs and provides training, including officer orientation, accounting-software instruction and an online “CSB University” with brief tutorial videos.
On overhead and fees, Steers described a pro rata fee charged to clubs to cover CSB operating costs. She said the fee is calculated as a percentage of a club’s total revenue and that typical nonprofit overhead benchmarks are higher; she provided a historical example of about 1.6% last year and said the pro rata fee is usually around 2%.
Board members asked whether membership in CSB is mandatory for booster clubs; presenters said membership is required. Board members also raised concerns about inequities between wealthy and lower-income schools; district staff and Steers said CSB and the district try to address disparities through district programs and tax-credit donations but said boosters typically raise money specifically for their own schools and are not automatically redistributed.
Steers said CSB was incorporated in November 2012 to standardize operations, provide oversight, and encourage parent engagement. She said CSB supports a wide range of clubs—from elementary PTOs to high‑school athletics, band, robotics and esports—and that the organization seeks to build capacity through volunteer-led governance and regular mandatory meetings for club officers.
