Hi Wildcats,

The jungle drums are beating loud this week — as of today, 56 families have stepped up and given a combined $34,000 toward this year's Annual Give campaign! That's incredible momentum, and if your family is one of the 56, thank you, thank you, thank you. You're the reason our scholars get five full days of Art, PE, and Performing Arts every week instead of a patchwork schedule.

But here's the honest math: at $375/student across our ~350 Wildcats, our goal this year is roughly $130,000 — which means we're about 26% of the way there, with the campaign closing on 10/2. We need the rest of our community to jump in now if we're going to hit that number.

If you haven't given yet, this is your sign 🐒

Every year, we see donations ranging from $0 to well above the $375 ask — there is no "right" amount, and every single dollar keeps a program alive. Whether it's $10 or $1,000, filling out the form (even a $0 form!) gets your Wildcat entered in our weekly prize raffle and helps us track toward 100% participation.

👉 Donate here: wildcats.schoolauction.net/annualgive2026

Already gave? Check for employer matching — it's free money for Whittier 💰

Employer matching is one of the biggest levers we have. If your employer has a matching gift program (Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Boeing, and many others do!), your donation could be amplified at zero cost to you. Not sure if your company matches? Check our Employer Matching page or email fundraising@whittierptaseattle.org and we'll help you figure it out.

Why this actually matters

Washington State doesn't fully fund public schools and SPS' funding model assumes some PTAs will fund the gaps state dollars leave unfunded. At Whittier, this means PTA dollars fund:

• Our 5-day-a-week Specialist schedule (Art, PE, Performing Arts) instead of an irregular one
• Increases Nurse Marissa's days on campus
• Extends our reading interventionist's time so more struggling readers get support
• Provides math tutors to to provide more math challenge and support
• Funds Massive Monkees, other assemblies, curriculum supports, and enrichment programs across the board
• (and a lot more)

We're so proud of our Wildcat community and can't wait to see participation climb this week with your help.

Go Wildcats! 🐆

Questions? Reach out anytime at fundraising@whittierptaseattle.org.