Why should I give to the Annual Fund? There is a gap in State and District funding for essential educational programs and classroom support for teachers. It is therefore left to our engaged community to cover the shortfalls in funding. Your View Ridge PTA spearheads this effort to raise the funds required in order to provide an enhanced, well-rounded education for our children through the Annual Appeal and Auction.

How much should I give? Last year individual donations ranged from $10 to $5,000, with an average donation of over $300. Please choose the amount that works best for your family; making a donation, no matter the size will benefit View Ridge and our children.

What does my gift to the PTA Annual Fund pay for? Each year, our PTA writes a check for around $195,000 to cover additional teaching and staff positions at View Ridge. This money "buys" what the district provided teacher ratios don't cover, and provides View Ridge with full time teachers and programs in the arts, and greater access to counseling, nursing and specialist services. Except for a few incidental administrative costs (printed materials & credit card fees), 100% of all annual appeal donations directly fund teaching and staff positions at View Ridge.

I just donated to the Walk ‘N Roll, why do I need to give again?  Thank you for supporting the Walk ‘N Roll, all income generated from the Walk N’ Roll goes into the PTA’s General Operating Budget which pays for a multitude of important programs and events, such as assemblies, the science fair, Camp Orkila, family support, community builders, grants for teachers, and much more.  Proceeds from the Annual Appeal and the Auction go into an entirely separate fund that is used solely for additional teaching and staffing positions–on average, the equivalent of 2.5 positions above and beyond what the district allocates. Although they help in different ways, Walk ‘N Roll, Annual Appeal, and Auction are all important for maintaining our quality of teaching and services at View Ridge.

Corporate Matching  Maximize the impact of your donation through your employer’s matching gift program! Over 10% of contributions received in the 2015 Annual Appeal were from matching gifts.  Many companies–including Adobe, , Amgen Foundation, Apex Foundation, Bank of America, Blackrock, CDK Global, Gates Foundation, Boeing, Expedia, GE, Google, HBO, , , , REI, Safeco, , T-mobile, and Verizon–offer programs that can double or triple the value of your donation.  Please let us know if you need help with the paperwork. Matching gifts from employers can be received after Dec. 8th.

Encourage your family and friends to give! Last year, a number of grandparents of View Ridge students made donations in support of their grandchild’s education, and their gifts helped us reach our goal! Does your child have grandparents, other family members or friends who are interested in supporting his or her education? Encourage them to give to the Annual Appeal! Please direct your family & friends to the PTA website where they can donate online via credit card or download & print a pledge card to mail in with a check: www.viewridgeschool.org/information/fundraising/annual-appeal. Or, you can pick up an extra pledge card outside the office to give to a family member or friend.

Tax Deductions The View Ridge PTA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with Federal Tax ID# 91-1049983. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. We will provide a donation receipt for your records around year end via email.

Is my donation confidential? All donations are confidential and handled only by: Annual Appeal co-chairs, PTA treasurer, and our software administrators (for credit card donations only). Companies may need to contact us for matching verification. No one else on the View Ridge PTA or staff is privy to donor information, and a list of donor names is never published or shared.