FUNDRAISERS
Giving Campaign
The Annual Giving Campaign is the Ruth Acty PTA's largest source of funding and the simplest way to support the school: a direct donation, accepted year-round. The district budget doesn't pay for the programs the PTA funds, including art, music, garden and assemblies; classroom supplies and teacher grants; extra hours for Lisa Von Blankensee (ELD/RTI) and Mr. Cohn (social-emotional learning); field trips and the 4th and 5th grade camping trips; community events; grounds improvements; and staff appreciation.
Each fall, we ask new families who are able to consider a gift equal to one month of childcare or preschool tuition, or more. Gifts of any size are welcome. Our real goal is 100% participation. Giving is completely separate from PTA involvement, and no one should ever feel pressure to donate.
Donations are tax-deductible (Tax ID 94-6172263), and many employers match gifts.
You can give by credit card, PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, check (payable to "Ruth Acty PTA," memo "PTA Donation") or stock.
See the Donate page or email RAptafundraising@gmail.com with any questions.
Walk-a-Thon & Read-a-Thon
Together, these two events raise roughly half of the PTA's annual budget.
Walk-a-Thon (October): Students collect pledges, then walk laps around the Ruth Acty block with their class. They just need walking shoes and a labeled water bottle. The event takes about 100 volunteers.
Read-a-Thon (about two weeks in early March): Students set a reading challenge, track their daily reading and collect pledges. It runs alongside the Used Book Fair and kicks off with the Ice Cream Social. Donate gently-used children's books in the cart outside the office.
Grandparents, relatives and family friends are often happy to sponsor a child. They just need to be asked. Use our ready-to-send pledge letter template.
Sponsors can give online or bring cash or checks to the office. Gifts are tax-deductible (Tax ID 94-6172263) and often employer-matched. Donation pages, volunteer sign-ups and goals are posted on each event's page when it opens.
FINANCIAL ASKS
Holiday Giving
In December, room partners coordinate a pooled cash gift for Ruth Acty teachers and staff and RAZ after-school staff. Any amount is welcome, and no contribution is singled out. Watch for links from your room partner or in the Friday News, with a deadline before winter break. Questions or cash gifts: ruthactypta.berkeley@gmail.com.
This gift is optional, goes directly to staff (not the PTA), is not tax-deductible, and is separate from the Giving Campaign.
Year-End Giving
In May, we hold a second pooled cash gift for Ruth Acty and RAZ staff, with separate links for each group, typically open through the end of May. Like holiday giving, it goes directly to staff and is not tax-deductible.
Questions: ruthactypta.berkeley@gmail.com.
4th grade families: by tradition, also provide refreshments and volunteer help for the 5th grade promotion ceremony.
Classroom Field Trips
Teachers and room partners organize field trips, and most classes will ask families to chip in at some point. The PTA funds transportation and a per-classroom allowance across all grades. It also contributes about $10,000 to the 4th grade trip to Camp Arroyo and $3,000 to the 5th grade trip, neither of which is district-funded. Families in those grades will receive a spring appeal to cover the remaining costs.
No student is ever excluded because of cost. If cost is a concern, quietly contact your teacher, room partner or the school office, and it will be handled discreetly. If you can give more than your child's share, that helps make trips possible for everyone.
Field trip gifts are tax-deductible (Tax ID 94-6172263) and employer-matchable. See the Donate page or email RAptafundraising@gmail.com.