Ann Arbor PTO Council $20 for $30K Fundraiser

Help us create a more equitable Ann Arbor! The Ann Arbor PTO Council is proud to present the third district-wide fundraiser to support our less-resourced schools. We believe that our children’s school experiences should not be limited by a lack of funding. We believe that all children deserve enrichment inside and outside of the classroom.

Background: PTOs typically supplement gaps in school funding, supporting enrichment opportunities (field trips, guest speakers, materials, etc.), purchasing materials and supplies, and sponsoring community events. However, because of wealth and resource inequities among public schools in our community, not all PTOs can raise equal amounts of money. In AAPS elementary and K-8 schools, per-student PTO income ranges from $40 per student per year to $238. For the past several years, the PTO Council has worked with school reps, caretakers, teachers, and the district to identify these gaps and create steps for improvements. In the past, recipient schools have used their $20 for $30k funds to meet a range of school needs, including providing teacher grants and enrichment opportunities.

How you can help: We are looking for 1500 individuals to contribute $20 (or more) to show our community’s commitment to creating a better system for all.

Funds raised will be distributed to PTOs at Title I schools. Our goal is to boost their budgets by more than $10 per student, helping the 3,361 AAPS children at the following Title 1 schools: Abbot, Allen, Bryant, Carpenter, Haisley, Lakewood, Mitchell, Pattengill, Pittsfield, and Scarlett Middle School.

We know this is just a drop in the bucket and that one small fundraiser will not fix inequity. Yet, we must start somewhere. Imagining the smile on a student’s face who gets to visit the Hands on Museum for the first time feels as good a place as any.

If you would like to contribute via check, we can accept those at Ann Arbor PTO Council, 2555 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104. Please make the check out to Ann Arbor PTO Council.

You can also share this goFundMe on social media and spread the news about PTO funding discrepancies.

About Us: The PTO Council's mission is to promote excellence in our schools through communication and advocacy for member PTOs with district administration, with the Board of Education, and beyond. Together, we facilitate parent involvement, share ideas and innovations, and work to advance the quality of our schools. This pilot project is part of our larger PTO equity work.

Because the PTO Council is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization under the Internal Revenue Code, donations are not deductible for federal income tax purposes as charitable donations. The listed GoFundMe beneficiary is our Ann Arbor PTO Council co-president, as a personal name tied with the 501(c)(4) bank account is needed to receive direct funds into the PTOC bank account.

Thank you for helping us uplift our Title 1 elementary schools while we work together toward more equitable outcomes for all.

Website:

https://www.a2schools.org/community/pto-council