Who’s Missing From School Volunteers—and Why It Matters

Walk into most school volunteer events and you’ll probably notice something pretty quickly: the people helping out don’t always reflect the full school community. That’s especially true when it comes to dads and male caregivers.

According to PTO and PTA leaders surveyed by PTO Today, dads/male caregivers are the most underrepresented group in school volunteering by a wide margin. In fact, 73% of parent group leaders said dads and male caregivers are one of the groups least likely to participate.

But, this conversation is bigger than just dads and male caregivers, because school communities aren’t one-size-fits-all anymore. They’re working parents rushing between jobs and pickup lines. Grandparents stepping in to help raise kids. Single parents. Blended families. Multilingual households. Guardians, aunts, uncles, older siblings—every kind of family structure imaginable. School volunteering should reflect that reality.

Right now, in many schools, it doesn’t. It’s not that people don’t care. When PTO leaders were asked why some groups participate less often, the answers were pretty revealing.

More than half said dads and male caregivers often aren’t the primary receiver of school communications. Nearly half said school volunteering still feels like it’s “for moms.” Others pointed to work schedules and volunteer opportunities that happen mostly during the school day.

In other words, many families aren’t intentionally opting out. They just may not feel personally invited into the experience. And when people don’t see themselves represented in school involvement, it becomes easier to assume they don’t belong there.

Why representation matters in school volunteering

When only a narrow slice of families participates at school, everyone feels it. A small group of volunteers ends up carrying most of the workload. Some caregivers feel disconnected from the school community. And kids notice who shows up—and who doesn’t. When more families are included in volunteering, something bigger starts to happen than just fuller sign-up sheets:

Schools begin reflecting the full richness of their communities.

Different cultures shape how events and celebrations come together.

Ideas are shared for fundraisers, new school traditions, and activities—including events designed for different comfort levels and personalities, like quieter family nights or silent discos.

Communication becomes more accessible across languages and family structures.

More caregivers feel seen and included instead of unsure whether they fit in.

And honestly...that changes how school feels for everyone. Students see their own families represented...and welcomed. They see school as a place where they belong—not just a building.

Creating more inclusive volunteer opportunities doesn’t mean every parent has to join the PTO board or spend hours at the school every week. Sometimes it’s smaller than that. Sometimes people just need to feel like there’s a place for them to do something meaningful, and with intention.

The strongest school communities aren’t built by one type of family showing up. They’re built when everyone feels like they're welcome. So, ready to get involved? Start with just one hour. Show up to a PTO meeting, send the PTO a quick email, comment on the PTO's Facebook post, or introduce yourself at back-to-school night and ask how you can help. If everyone steps up to give a little, it can change the entire school community for the better.

Take the pledge to volunteer for one hour at school through the 1 Hour for Schools movement. Your school could win $3,500!*

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