Annual Fundraising Campaign

Every fall, parents come together as a community to raise funds to support the PTA’s annual budget. This year, we will raise $145,000 in this campaign, and we need your support! While we will spend approximately $750 per student, any amount you can donate is much appreciated. You can also donate at whatever time of the year is best for your family, but the reason the campaign is one month is to help with our annual budget projections.

The Annual Fundraising Campaign supports the following critical initiatives:

  • Salaries for:

    • Bilingual Tutors

    • Farm and Garden program

    • Physical Education program

    • Behavioral Health Counseling

    • Science teacher - NEW!

  • Teacher and Staff Appreciation

  • Emergency Funding for Families in Need

  • Parent/Family Engagement and Enrichment

  • Classroom and Teacher Grants

  • TK and Kinder Music Program

  • Kinder and 5th Grade Yearbooks

  • Cultural, Learning, and Community Events

  • And much, much more…

Hear from Sylvia Mendez’s TK and Kinder Music teacher whose position is funded by the PTA’s Annual Fundraising Campaign.

FAQs

How much should I give?  

Past gifts have ranged from $5 through $25,000, so please consider donating the amount that works for your family. Many families consider donating “one more month” of preschool. Other families cover the cost of each child ($750) and some consider even more.

How do I make my gift?  

You can donate online via PayPal, Venmo, or Cash.app. PayPal also offers the option of donating using a debit or credit card. Or mail your check, payable to Sylvia Mendez School PTA, to Sylvia Mendez School, PTA, 2840 Ellsworth St, Berkeley, CA 94705.

Can I make monthly donations?

Absolutely! Some families decide to break up their donation throughout the year. Use the button below to set up monthly payments through PayPal. It's easy to change or cancel a recurring donation anytime in your PayPal account settings. The amount you enter will be paid to the Sylvia Mendez PTA each month from your PayPal account. Don’t have PayPal? Sign up easily while entering your payment information. 

If you need to change your recurring donation for any reason, here are the steps to do so through PayPal:

  1. Log in to your Paypal account

  2. Go to Settings> Payments > Manage Automatic Payments

  3. Select Sylvia Mendez School PTA, click "Cancel" and follow the prompts to cancel the subscription.

  4. Come back here to subscribe at a new giving level.

Employer Matching Gifts

Did you know that you can double your contribution to the Sylvia Mendez PTA by taking advantage of your employer's matching benefit? Many companies have a matching gift program; you give an amount and they donate the same. All you have to do is ask your employer. The matching gift process differs from company to company, so some may require a completed paper acknowledgment form. If you have any questions or need assistance with a matching gift, including searching to see if your company offers this, please contact the Fundraising Team at SylviaMendezFundraising@gmail.com.

Sylvia Mendez PTA's Benevity ID: 840-946172095

Questions? Comments? Want to join our efforts?

Contact the Fundraising Team at SylviaMendezFundraising@gmail.com.