JJEA - Crowdfunding Policy

File:  JJEA 

Crowdfunding Policy

The Franklin School Committee recognizes that crowdfunding campaigns have become a useful method by which teachers and organizations can procure resources for specific projects and/or programs. The revenue-raising potential that crowdfunding campaigns may provide can be a benefit for the Franklin Public School District (the District). The School Committee further recognizes, however, that unregulated employee use of crowdfunding campaigns on behalf of the District can subject both the District and employees to potential legal liability. This policy’s intent is to effectively regulate and establish parameters for use of crowdfunding campaigns for District purposes.

It is the responsibility of the donor to understand the potential tax benefits of any donation they make to a crowdfunding platform in support of the District. Moreover, donors should have no expectation of favoritism towards specific children nor quid pro quo considerations in exchange for any donation of funds or other resources to a crowdfunding project.

Definitions:

For the purpose of this policy, crowdfunding is defined as the practice of funding a project or venture by raising monetary contributions, typically via the internet, for a particular purpose or cause.  For the purpose of this policy, a campaign is defined as a fundraising effort launched on an approved platform that is designed to raise funds to meet an advertised goal or need.

Eligibility Requirements:

1. The only online crowdfunding sites approved by the District for use by its employees are those that take monetary donations and distribute materials only, not cash, to the District.  The District shall provide an approved list of crowdfunding sites that meet the criteria outlined in this policy.
2. The District employees eligible to sponsor a crowdfunding campaign must meet the eligibility requirements set forth by the crowdfunding site.
3. The District employees, individuals, groups, clubs, and/or organizations that do not meet the crowdfunding site’s eligibility requirements and that have not been granted formal approval by their building Principal or designee may not engage in crowdfunding campaigns on behalf of the District.

Approval Process:

1. No employee shall post any proposal to a crowdfunding site without prior written approval from the employee’s Principal or designee.  When determining whether to approve, the building Principal or designee will consider the following:

• What is the intended purpose of the campaign?
• Does the intended purpose of the campaign align with School and District initiatives?
• How does the project for which funds are being raised align with the District approved curriculum? 
• Logistically, will the School or District be able to take, keep, and manage possession of the materials to be obtained with said funds? 
• How many crowdfunding campaigns are underway or projected for the school year?
• Are there any other issues salient to how the crowdfunding campaign might impact the School or District?
• Is the campaign within the monetary limits set by the school or District? 
• Does the campaign align with school committee policy KCD?

1. To the extent an employee’s campaign is to include any technology or software, the employee must secure written consent in The Director of Technology or designee prior to submitting a request for approval to the Principal or designee.
2. All digital learning tools and software applications must adhere to the District Student Data Privacy (SDP) guidelines and/or require a signed Student Data Privacy Agreement.  
3. If an employee’s campaign is approved, the employee agrees to use the donated materials solely as stated in the employee’s proposal.
4. Approved crowdfunding campaigns must operate in compliance with all laws and all District policies and administrative guidelines.

Campaign Expectations:

1. All materials obtained from a crowdfunding site become the property of the District, not the individual staff person who initiated the project, and, if applicable, will remain in the school where the staff person who originated the project was located at the time of the crowdfunding campaign.
2. If a campaign is not fully funded within the time period required by the crowdfunding site or the campaign cannot be concluded for any reason, donations already made to the campaign will be handled in accordance with the crowdfunding site’s policy for such occurrences. 

Communication:

1. Once a campaign is approved by the Principal or designee and the crowdfunding site, the District employees may solicit donations to a campaign from their own personal network of acquaintances. 
2. Employees may not directly solicit students or family members of students they currently teach, support, or over whom they have any authority.

Crowdfunding campaigns MAY NOT:

1. Disparage the District or any of its buildings, programs, students or employees or paint the District or any of its employees, students or programs in a negative light; 
2. Include identifiable pictures of the District students in the crowdfunding post or on the project sponsor’s project page on the crowdfunding site if said student’s parents/guardians have made this prohibition;
3. Include identifying information of any District student on the crowdfunding site;
4. Be used for personal gain of any individual other than the District-related benefits associated with the campaign’s purpose;
5. Result in the items being provided delivered directly to the District employee sponsoring the approved campaign;
6. Solicit funds for items or projects that are religious or political in nature or that have a religious or political purpose;
7. Conflict with established Committee policies or violate any applicable state or federal law;
8. Be contingent on additional District spending or “matching” funds from the District or another organization or result in unreasonable or hidden costs to the District;
9. Request gift cards, food items or animals;
10. Contain language that suggests or states that an item or items for which the donations are being sought are required for or otherwise integral to a student’s individual education plan (IEP), necessary for a student to achieve his/her IEP goals, or necessary to ensure participation of a student or students with disabilities in school or a program offered by The District;
11. Place restrictions on school programs or require extensive District maintenance or ongoing support;
12. Require the endorsement of a business product.

Additional Requirements and Regulations:

1. The District reserves the right to refuse items that have been obtained through an approved crowdfunding campaign if it discovers that the project violated this policy or was in violation of the crowdfunding site’s requirements, policies, and/or regulations.
2. The District reserves the right to terminate any pre-approved crowdfunding campaign or withhold approval for any crowdfunding campaign for any reason.
3. PCC’s, Booster organizations, etc. must also receive prior approval before beginning a crowdfunding campaign which will result in a donation to the Franklin Public Schools.  
4. The District shall assume no obligation to maintain or replace donated items that have been worn out, lost, or destroyed.
5. All donations shall become the sole possession of the District and may not be transferred to other schools within the district without the permission of both the sending and receiving principals