Chapter 21- Booster Clubs, Foundat~~A~er~~r~niza~n! and Other Parent-Teacher Associations

Booster clubs, foundations, auxiliary organizations and other parent-teacher organizations are formed to contribute money to a club, sports team or other organization. For simplicity this manual will use the term "booster clubs " to refer to any of these types of organizations. Booster clubs are popular in American high schools, community colleges and universities, and are usually run in high schools by the parents of students in the organization being supported, and in colleges by supporters and fans of athletic programs. Fund-raisers are often held to raise money for supplies or equipment that the students may need or for trips that the students may need to rake. The main principle of funding by a U.S. IRS 501 (c)(3) nonprofit is rhar the booster club may not discriminate in making grants to youth or college students on the basis of their family's membership in or funding to the club, or the family's fund-raising or rime put into club activities. Booster clubs are organized with many purposes in mind. One of the largest and most well-known booster clubs is the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA). Other booster clubs are organized to help with special interests or for school activities such as football, or to assist in buying school supplies, or support other sports programs, the arts, and field trips. Booster clubs and other school-related organizations or groups (all of which will be referred to as booster clubs in this chapter) are separate organizations from a school district. In general, booster clubs provide financial support and/or direct assistance in some form to help achieve the common goals of booster and school programs. Booster clubs have many purposes and are not limited to the following examples: • Assisting others: • Assisting a sire administrator, faculty advisor, sports coach, and other district staff in performing parts of activities. • Assisting students through scholarships. • Purchasing supplies for the school. • Assisting with funds for field trip travel. • Specific activities connected to students, parents and adults