Tahoma Elementary PTO fundraiser

Hello!

Many of you know my twins, Silas & Lucia, are in 2nd grade at Tahoma Elementary in Maple Valley. It is an incredible school and we feel so lucky to be part of the Tahoma Cubs family. Many of you also know I have worked for The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the last 11 years as a Grants & Contracts Specialist. Last year my employer generously gifted $10,000 to the Tahoma Elementary PTO and I have another opportunity to receive additional funds for the school.

You probably received the TES PTO Opt Out Fundraiser letter today. Personally, I was thrilled we weren't doing another fun run and that all funds collected will remain at the school!  The letter mentioned that the donation may qualify for company matching programs but I know not all of you work outside the home and/or have a matching program so I wanted to offer mine.

The Gates Foundation has generously allowed employees to pool funds raised from friends and family and do a 3 to 1 match! So that means the $100 you were going to donate on behalf of your child would actually be $400! (or any amount - this is just an example)

The only guidelines are the gift to the organization has to come from me (the employee). The only implication for you is that you would not be able to get any tax benefit because technically you are gifting the money to me, not the school. 

I will keep track of all funds raised in this gofundme account and can provide you a receipt for your donation. I will also let the school know that you made a donation on behalf of your child(ren) as well as when I cut the check to the school & when the Foundation releases the matching funds (by December 31). I've triple checked with my employer this is allowed and they are 100% supportive.

If we could get 180 families to donate $100 each we would raise $18,000 which would then become $54,000 with the triple match! The school would be able to do SO much with those funds -   teacher grants, STEM, family nights, art projects, staff appreciation, field trips and so much more.

Please share with our Tahoma friends and family to help spread the word!  All donations must be received no later than November 15, 2018. Please reach out to me with any questions at [phone redacted] or [email redacted].

Thanks!

Andrea

*I want to be completely transparent I am doing this request only as a parent of kids at Tahoma Elementary School and it is in no way tied to my position as a board member of the TES PTO.