AP 547 - School Fundraising By For External Agencies

Background

The purpose of this administrative procedure is to provide direction regarding the solicitation of funds by external organizations and/or the raising of funds for such agencies within the Surrey School District No. 36 (the “District”).
The Board of Education of School District No. 36 (Surrey) (the “Board”) will not make any outright grants to any external agency. As a general rule, the participation of pupils and employees in fund raising or promotions by external agencies through the school system is to be avoided. However, the solicitation of contributions by recognized humanitarian, charitable or cultural agencies is acceptable, provided the Superintendent has given prior approval.
Individual schools may participate in or hold fund-raising activities for an acceptable agency or purpose when the activity would be a desirable school project, and the principal and staff are willing to supervise the activity and accept fiscal responsibility.
Where approval is given by the principal for individual schools, or by the Superintendent for District schools as a whole, to participate in fund raising by or for an external agency, the participation of pupils and employees is to be strictly voluntary.

Definitions

“External agencies” in this context includes individuals and private or public organizations.

Procedures

Conducting Fundraising Activities

a.	The Board assigns each school principal primary responsibility for and authority to conduct fundraising by/for external agencies.
b.	Any fundraising involving students must be approved by the school principal.
c.	Unsupervised canvassing door to door or in a shopping centre by elementary school students is not acceptable as a means of raising funds.
d.	Fundraising for external agencies or individuals that are not registered charities must be accomplished using a financial institution with an ‘in trust’ arrangement.
e.	Where an activity of an external agency benefits the learning initiatives of the District, but an ‘in trust’ arrangement cannot be utilized, prior approval of the Secretary-Treasurer is required.
f.	Where an individual school participates in or hold fundraising activities as a school project, the principal will ensure that funds are accounted for and adequately safeguarded in accordance with the administrative procedure governing the management of site-based funds.
g.	Funds raised are to be remitted in their entirety to the designated external agency in a timely manner and in the name of the school.

Approved:

June 10, 2026