Key timelines & checkpoints for new PTA members

Starting your PTA journey can feel overwhelming, but knowing when things happen so you can be prepared is the key to staying on track. This section of our free volunteer handbook provides an overview of the annual PTA calendar, along with important events and the best times to plan popular fundraisers.

When do key PTA projects normally happen?

PTA activities tend to fall into an annual pattern. Understanding this flow makes it easier to stay organized and prepared.

Here’s a month-by-month breakdown of when different types of activities and fundraisers usually take place:

• July: Summer planning sessions, goal-setting for the upcoming school year.
• August: Teacher welcome breakfasts and first PTA meetings.
• September: Back-to-school events, membership drives, curriculum nights, and early-year fundraisers.
• October: Fall fundraisers, Halloween carnivals, and trunk-or-treat events.
• November: Thanksgiving food drives and dinners, gratitude activities for teachers, and preparation for holiday events.
• December: Holiday events, winter concerts, teacher appreciation, and end-of-year giving campaigns.
• January: Mid-year reviews, winter fundraisers, and planning for spring initiatives.
• February: Valentine’s Day activities, cultural celebrations, and spring event planning.
• March: Spring festivals, read-a-thons, and officer nomination periods.
• April: Elections for new PTA officers, Earth Day activities, and major fundraising initiatives.
• May: Teacher appreciation week, field days, and end-of-year celebrations.
• June: Transition meetings for new leadership, final budget reviews, and summer event planning.

Free calendar resources for schools

We’ve got calendar resources that can show you exactly when important dates take place—as well as what holidays you’ll have to work around when planning your fundraisers. Learn more here:

• The Fundraiser’s 2025 Fundraising Plan: Your Complete Calendar of Dates
• The Complete List of 2024/2025 School Holidays in the US

PTA-specific events & deadlines

Many PTAs follow their own specific cycles when it comes to certain events. Be sure to check with your organization and take note of when they schedule the following:

• Membership Enrollment Deadlines
• Fundraising Campaign Launches
• Officer Nomination and Election Periods
• Budget Planning and Approval Dates

You should also take note of any State PTA convention dates for the state in which you live, as well as any National PTA convention dates or deadlines. These can vary each year.

The best times to plan popular fundraisers

Timing is everything when it comes to successful PTA initiatives. Here are the best times to get started:

• Back-to-School Fundraisers: Start planning in July to launch in August or September. These include supply drives, welcome-back events, and early-year donation campaigns.
• Fall Events (e.g., Carnivals, Trunk-or-Treat): Begin preparations in late July or early August to ensure smooth execution in October.
• Holiday Events and Gift Drives: Plan from September to be ready for Thanksgiving food drives in November and holiday events in December.
• Spring Fundraisers (e.g., A-Thons, Walk-a-Thons): A three-month runway is ideal for successful fun runs and other A-Thon events. For example, you should start planning in March for a Fun Run scheduled in May. Learn more about how to plan a Fun Run.
• End-of-Year Events: Begin in February to ensure a seamless wrap-up in May or June, including teacher appreciation events and graduation celebrations.

Remember, the planning process can vary depending on what type of fundraiser or event you’re planning! Find step-by-step guides for popular school fundraisers here.