NYC's school PTA fundraising gap is growing, mirroring broader racial disparities

Recent Department of Education data reveals that New York City parent associations reported nearly $70 million in revenue during the 2024-25 academic year. However, the benefits are unevenly distributed; schools serving majority white student populations raised five times more than those serving primarily Black children. Locally, P.S. 29 in Cobble Hill raised approximately $2 million, the highest in the city, while P.S. 8 in Brooklyn Heights also relies on parent contributions to fund essential services.

While the city uses a Fair Student Funding formula to assist schools in lower-income areas, education experts argue these public resources fail to bridge the gap created by private fundraising. PTA leaders, including Anita Baier of P.S. 8, noted that parent groups are increasingly forced to operate like small businesses to cover costs for after-school programs and support staff that are not adequately covered by the city's budget.

Summary by Dispatch AI — read the full story at Gothamist.