Huntley 158 approves fundraising contracts for athletics after trustees question vendor fees and exclusivity clauses

The Huntley Community School District 158 board approved revenue contracts for extracurricular fundraising platforms after trustees extensively questioned how the services work and what the district pays vendors.

Administration described the fundraising platforms as automated marketing tools that collect donor contact information from students and families and send reminders; in some cases the product is a discount card sold to supporters, and in other cases the vendor handles online solicitations. An administration explanation included this summary: the platform “automates reminders and outreach” and is used by athletics and activity accounts to supplement traditional fee collection.

Trustees asked for clearer contract language on commission rates and exclusivity. One trustee said the vendor terms can mean the district or participating teams pay “25% — up to 40% — of proceeds” in fees or commissions depending on the contract. Another trustee asked the administration to confirm whether the contract requires exclusivity with local businesses (a clause that could prevent using the same merchants if the district changed vendors) and what penalties would apply.

A board member noted an important distinction for community messaging: some agreements are an exchange of goods (a $35 discount card), while others are pure donation-driven crowdfunding; trustees asked that future contract summaries clearly indicate which model a proposal uses.

The board approved the contracts as presented and directed administration to return with a clearer summary of vendor clauses, commission structures and any switching costs or penalties before future renewals. Administration said it will evaluate standardizing on a single platform and will report back to the board.