Board raises concerns about crowdfunding fees after examples of vendors taking 35–60% of donations
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Summary
Board members flagged crowdfunding arrangements that can take 35–60% of fundraising proceeds and asked administration to negotiate preferred vendor terms or change procedures so donors keep more of their gifts; staff said they are exploring vendor agreements and procedural fixes rather than immediate policy rewrites.
Board members during the fiscal update raised concerns about third‑party fundraising platforms and revenue contracts that can divert a substantial share of donations to platform fees or merchandise costs. Multiple trustees said they had seen examples where a fundraising vendor retains 40%–60% of the gross proceeds, which the board called unacceptable for pure donation drives.
Finance and operations staff told the board that the district is reviewing the issue as part of an activity‑account and fundraising review. Options under consideration include negotiating a preferred vendor agreement with lower fees, changing procedures to steer certain fundraisers toward district‑managed donations, and improved disclosures so parents understand tax implications. Staff said that in some instances platforms charge higher percentages because they purchase and resell merchandise; in other cases (pure donations) the district will seek better terms.
Board members also raised concerns about pressure on students participating in fundraising activities (for example whether participation is truly voluntary and whether students with disabilities or accommodations are being asked to fundraise). Administrators said the high‑school administration is part of the review and that they will bring back recommended operational changes.
