Fundraising Practices of PK–12 Music Teachers in Virginia

Abstract

Prior research indicates fundraising is a necessary job function for music educators, yet the how and why of the ways teachers engage in this activity is not well understood. This study sought to investigate the fundraising practices of music educators in the Commonwealth of Virginia. A survey was sent to all members of the Virginia Music Educators Association, as well as solicitations to the fine arts supervisors in the 50 largest districts in the state. Results indicate that teachers raise funds for a variety of expenses, including basic necessities such as instrument repair and required performances. Teachers also reported using many different types of fundraising strategies including item sales, direct appeal (e.g., GoFundMe), and large single events. A majority of teachers agreed with the statements “Fundraising is necessary for me to do my job well” and “I fundraise for materials I believe should be provided through my school budget,” indicating a need for more investigation between school budgets and instructional expectations/teacher evaluation processes. Implications include recommendations for teachers including advocacy talking points.