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When one parent shared a school letter on Reddit, parents everywhere breathed a little easier—and laughed a little, too. The note, titled The No-Fuss “Un-Fundraiser” Form, offered a refreshingly honest take on PTO fundraising: donate directly, skip the stress, and still support the school.
The letter broke donations into lighthearted tiers that struck a chord:
- $15 if you’d rather not bake cupcakes or shop for treats this year
- $25 if you won’t remember to link your grocery account to the PTO
- $50 if you’d prefer to skip selling candles or catalog items to family and friends
- $75 if you’d rather skip the run, walk, or bike events and just let the PTO handle the snacks
For those who wanted to give a different amount, the form even included a blank line for custom donations. The fine print jokingly warned that families might still receive fundraising materials, because, of course, even the most generous opt-outs can’t always escape the catalog avalanche.
What parents are saying
Reddit parents loved it. The thread’s comment section turned into a collective exhale for parents who are over the bake sales and catalog drives.
- “I would fill this out so fast” — CECINS
- “That’s tight. I remember my Dad wouldn’t let us sell sh*t from school fundraisers which always made me feel left out.” — BurnerBackTurner
- “This is great! I’m glad schools are finally getting the message…This is a much nicer way tohandle fundraisers!” — Advanced-Humor9786
- “Easiest $100 to give. Cost is the paper and ink so I know the kids get my full donation, assuming no corruption in the organization…which is a tough assumption these days ngl.” — SaltyShawarma
The message was clear: parents appreciated a fundraising option that valued their time, their money, and their already-stretched bandwidth.
Related: This is Motherhood: Dr. Aditi Nerurkar on reversing parental burnout
Why this resonates right now
Between full-time jobs, after-school drop-offs, and dinner that always seems to happen an hour too late, most parents are running on empty. Finding time to organize bake sales or chase catalog orders can feel impossible and many third-party fundraisers take a hefty cut (up to 40–50%) before a single dollar reaches the school.
By contrast, direct PTO donations keep funds close to home—supporting classroom supplies, field trips, and assemblies without the extra markups or middlemen. For families balancing work, childcare, and burnout, this approach doesn’t feel like a shortcut. It feels like relief.
With the rising cost of everything from groceries to after-school care, even small fundraisers can feel like one more financial strain for families. It’s one small example of how acknowledging parents’ time and mental load can go further than any traditional fundraiser ever could.
Related: How to lighten the mental load: Parenting coach Sam Kelly on ending invisible labor and raising capable kids
The equity and community question
Of course, the “un-fundraiser” sparked another thoughtful conversation: if everyone donates money instead of volunteering, who will plan the harvest party, run the fun fair, or bake cupcakes for the teacher luncheon?
Reddit parents were divided: some loved the simplicity, while others worried that a pay-instead-of-participate model could chip away at school community spirit.
The truth is, schools can keep community connections strong while respecting parents’ limits. Inclusive ideas include:
- Micro-volunteering: 15–30 minute tasks like handing out forms, setting up snacks, or managing sign-in sheets
- Virtual roles: designing event flyers, managing digital sign-ups, or coordinating communications
- Transparent volunteer calendars: distributing tasks fairly so no one parent shoulders the load
Not every family can give time or money—but both deserve equal value. When schools honor that balance, kids benefit most.
What parents can do right now
If your school is still stuck in the “wrapping paper era,” there are simple ways to shift toward sanity-saving solutions:
- Ask your PTO about direct-donation options and request transparency on how funds are used.
- Use employer matching programs if your PTO is a 501(c)(3) to double your impact.
- Prioritize local events where the school keeps the largest share: like DIY fun runs or bake sales that don’t rely on outside vendors.
- Volunteer smarter, not harder: help with digital design, manage pickup-line handouts, or assist for short shifts instead of full-day events.
These choices help preserve community spirit while fitting more realistically into modern family life.
The bigger picture
The viral “un-fundraiser” may have started as a funny Reddit post, but it revealed something deeper about parenting today. Schools depend on family generosity to fund the extras—field trips, Art programs, assemblies but parents are running out of hours in the day.
By reimagining how we support schools with flexibility, honesty, and empathy, parents and educators can meet in the middle. Because the real goal is helping families show up in ways that actually work for them.
Sometimes, the simplest idea, just asking parents to give in a way that fits real life, can turn fundraising fatigue into a moment of collective relief.