Student funding of senior showcases

I hope this thread doesn't get me a trouble. I am really just curious about all of this and would be really interested in hearing other opinions. I don't even really have a strong opinion, more just puzzled.
As an MT college coach and voice teacher I have quite a number of students graduating MT programs every year. It seems this year, more than ever, several of them have started fundraising campaigns for their senior showcase. I struggle with how I feel about all of this and what is the "right thing to do" for my kids. I can't donate to one vs. the other so it is kind of an all or nothing : (
I just wonder, has this been happening for years and I have somehow missed out? Is this a new thing that will become common place for more and more schools? When a school promotes a "senior showcase" would you expect it is covered by tuition and school expenses or does it seem logical that the kids need to raise the money to make it happen? Is it something that has always occurred but with platforms like GoFundMe it is now just easier to make your request public?
Again, this is more just a conversation than anything else. Feel free to pipe in...