If you’re like many of us, you’ve been asked by your child’s previous school, after-school activities, Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts, etc. to sell items to raise money for that organization. Or maybe you’re even actively selling items for some of those organizations right now!
So often, 50% or less of the money you pay for that popcorn, or candy bars, or catalogs, goes to benefit your child. Have you ever thought, “Why can’t I just donate directly and not try to find space for one more box of frozen pretzels or another Tervis tumbler in my kitchen?”
We hear you.
Which is why our Fall fundraiser is focused on being no stress.
No order forms to keep track of.
No awkwardly asking your co-workers to buy your school’s fundraiser items. (Or posting the form in the break area.)
No collecting money and serving as your child’s accountant before submitting it.
No trying to find room for four tubs of cookie dough for Aunt Agnes in your freezer because she’s already in Florida for the Winter.
And no adding yet one more roll of wrapping paper to your stash in the attic!
Here’s the deal: we’re asking only that you donate directly to your CGA PTO, and only if you want, encourage friends and family to donate as well. No selling, no delivering products. Easy-peasy. 100% of your donation will go directly to benefit CGA, and your donation is completely tax deductible.
The Details
Your CGA PTO will be holding its first Stress-Free Fundraiser from October 10-20, beginning 10 days of giving with our participation in The Big Give with the Columbus Foundation on October 10-11.
What is The Big Give?
The Big Give is a 26-hour online giving event to make a difference through kindness. The Columbus Foundation, its family of donors, and corporate and community partners have provided a $1.3 Million+ Bonus Pool, encouraging everyone to support nonprofits they care about. Many Columbus nonprofits are participating during this 26-hour event.
Donations received during the 26-hour event will be amplified by Bonus Pool funds on a pro rata basis, meaning that everyone who gives will have their donation(s) increased – yes, that means your donation will be boosted with additional money from the Bonus Pool!
The Columbus Foundation is covering the fee of 2.35% per credit card transaction, so 100 percent of your donations to CGA PTO will benefit our school.
How does The Big Give work?
The Big Give begins at 10am on October 10, and ends at noon on October 11. During that time, you can donate directly to CGA PTO by visiting our page in the Columbus Foundation’s Giving Store. The minimum donation for The Big Give is $20.
This is the direct link for our page – please share it on your social media pages and encourage friends and family to donate as well:
If you’d like to donate less than $20, you can do so through our PayPal link instead:
What happens after The Big Give?
We will be sending additional information and donation envelopes home with scholars on Wednesday to continue the donations after The Big Give. If you prefer to pay via cash or check, these envelopes will help you securely send your donation back to school with your scholar, and includes a check box for you to receive a receipt if needed for tax purposes.
You can also continue to spread the word about our fundraiser during this time, using our Giving Store link for online donations or sending donations to school in the provided envelopes.
We want this to be as easy as possible – donate, share with friends and family, and you’re done!
Additional questions
What is the PTO’s fundraising goal?
Our goal is to raise $5,000 during this 10-day period. That may seem like a lot, but it’s a goal of just over $10 per scholar at CGA. If we reach our goal, we promise the PTO will not hold ANY fundraisers requiring scholars to sell items for this entire school year.
And while we aren’t selling anything, scholars will be encouraged to promote this event. The more we raise, the more whole-school surprises they will earn! (Scholars will be getting information about this soon!)
That seems like a lot of money. What will it be used for?
This year alone, your CGA PTO will provide $7,000 in classroom support. This includes helping fund buses and admissions for field trips, providing document cameras in each grade to enhance classroom learning, and providing mini-grants to teachers for support.
We also provide funds for program enrichment activities, like bringing author Bryan Collier to the school for a school-wide visit in 2018, extra-curricular club support, student emergency funds, ice brigade for hot days, and of course Field Day support and our end-of-year community event, Phoenix Phair.
Additionally, we’re looking ahead at some larger school needs that may take more than a year to budget for, like a projector and theater curtain for the auditorium, repairs to the auditorium chairs, and a large school sign on the front lawn.
Is the PTO a registered nonprofit? Are my donations tax deductible?
Your donation is tax deductible! Columbus Gifted Academy PTO’s Tax ID is 47-4212279. Check with your employer to see if they match charitable donations – many do!