Annual Giving

Extra Incentives!

Show your support! With every donation, you will receive a limited edition cluster-color magnet for each of your children. All donations by the end of the school year qualify.
Learn More.

Remember that donations by 12/31 qualify as charitable deductions for that year if you itemize deductions on your income taxes.

Your Annual Contribution Makes the Difference!

As you know, delivering the extraordinary education Open School offers is not possible with school district funds alone. Through our booster club, Friends of the Open School, we must raise close to $250,000 each year to deliver our curriculum with programs like integrated music, art, technology, garden, physical education, and extra aides for our amazing teachers.

Annual Giving, previously known as the "Pledge Drive", relies on direct financial contributions from our families, extended families, and friends.

Supporting the mission of Open School should be reason enough to donate. To sweeten the deal, the following incentives are currently available:

It is our most important fundraiser, historically raising almost 2/3 of all the funds we need. We believe that with your participation, we could raise ALL of our funds through annual giving, eliminating the need for other fundraising work
We strive for participation from 100% of our families. Every amount helps, and each family should choose an amount that is practical and meaningful to them. We have flexible payment options to help make this possible.
Our goal is to raise an average of $750 per child per year. Open School's richness comes from our diverse community with families of differing financial means. If your family has the means, your generous extra contribution helps ensure an amazing education for all of our kids.
We need each family to give generously each year. Every cluster and grade heavily uses and benefits from the resources your contributions provide.

Why Annual Giving is So Important

From a fundraising standpoint, Annual Giving has a big impact for several reasons...

Every Dollar Counts 100%. Unlike other fundraising, every single penny of every dollar raised in direct donations counts 100% towards achieving an excellent education for your children.
Your Donation is Tax Deductible. If you itemize deductions, you can count your donation as a charitable contribution. After tax savings, your cost for every dollar contributed can be significantly less than a dollar.
Matches can Multiply the Effect. Many employers and family foundations match direct contributions to Open School. We'll help you do the paperwork. This may double the impact of every dollar you contribute. Learn More.
Extended Family can Help. Unlike other fundraisers, direct donations are easy for extended family and friends to participate in, no matter where they live.
It is Fast and Simple. With our online form and a variety of payment options, contributing directly is the fastest and simplest way to impact our kids. We'll happily work with you if you prefer not to contribute online.

We ask you to make Open School a priority in your charitable contributions. The students... your students... thank you.

If you prefer not to contribute online:

Print an Annual Giving Form or pick one up in the office
Return or mail it with your check to the office c/o Friends of the Open School

For other options and any questions, please contact the Annual Giving Team, at annual_givingopencharter.org (subject: Annual%20Giving)

Your Annual Contribution Makes the Difference!

Friends of the Open School, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Tax ID # 95-3793829.
All contributions, minus the value of any incentives received, are 100% tax deductible.

News (Expand)

Check If Your Employer Matches Your Generosity (Article)

Submitted by Shazneen Gandhi on Nov 7 (last updated Nov 7)

Reminder: Please check with your company to see if they match charitable contributions, either in part or in full. This is effectively free money for our school, and often just requires a small amount of paperwork, which is often completed by the Annual Giving team rather than you.