Fundraising Overview

ASK Campaign

The Ask Campaign is Island Park PTA's annual Fall fundraiser. By donating to the Ask Campaign, you support our commitment to community building, advocacy efforts, learning support, enrichment which will benefit your student right away.

Island Park PTA strives for 100% family participation! How you can help:

1. Give to our Ask Campaign (opens in our Parent Pack Fri., Aug. 23 @ 4:30pm)

Eaglet Tier: $300/student Representing a young, growing support with your donation at this level.
Soaring Eagle Tier*: $500/student Representing ascending and reaching new heights with your donation at this level.
Golden Eagle Tier*: $750+/student Representing strength and leadership with your donation at this level. Donations at this level will be matched from our Angel Donor Fund!

*Giving at the Soaring Eagle and Golden Eagle tiers and above enjoys recognition on our new donor wall on the Island Park campus!

2. Become an Angel Donor: Encourage families to give BIG by matching one or more of their $750/student donations at the Eagle's Wing level! Become an Angel Donor today!

3. Own a Business? Please consider the following Sponsorship opportunities:

Nest Egg Sponsorship ($500) Your company logo prominently displayed on our PTA website, accessed daily by more than 600 PTA members for one year.
Eagle's Eye Sponsorship ($750) Your company logo prominently featured in our Eagle News family email newsletter, reaching more than 600 readers twice a month, for one year.
Eagle's Talon Sponsorship ($1,000): Your company logo prominently displayed in our PTA's Facebook and Instagram feeds, seen daily by more than 600 PTA members, for one year.

Giving at every level of the Sponsor & Angel Donor Program enjoys recognition on our new donor wall on the Island Park campus!

Island Park PTA is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and donations are tax deductible.

Become a Sponsor or Angel Donor Today!

Donate to the Ask Campaign

FAQs

Q: Why the increase in donation ask from last year?

A:This year's starting Ask level will be $300/student with additional tiers for giving. This is in line with the other PTAs in our school district who are asking between $300-$350/student. For Island Park, this is a change from the recent few years since we have spent down reserves gained from the Spring 2019 auction and the reduced activity during the pandemic lockdown, which allowed our PTA to match donations from reserves at 100%. This year we are proud to share our two new donation programs to both encourage and recognize you to donate to our mission.

Q: Do I need to join the PTA to donate?

A: It is not necessary to be a PTA member to donate. But we hope you will join so that you can enjoy the benefits of membership and community. You are welcome to learn more about membership and join here.

Q: Is it too late to donate?

A: No, there is still time to donate. Your donation will benefit your child right away. You are invited to donate here.

Q: I just donated to the PTA and I’m being contacted by MISF and MIYFS. Are these funding the same things?

A: Each school has its own PTA and its own mission and budget. When you donate to your child’s/children’s PTA(s), your funds benefit your child/children at that school, and that school’s teachers and community.

It Takes an Island

While it may seem like there are areas of overlap, Mercer Island Schools Foundation (MISF) and Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (MIYFS) are separate non-profit entities who partner with our Island community and school district. Together, we enhance the quality of life in our schools and on our island - it takes a village!

Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (MIYFS) provides mental health support and support for families in need including funding our school counselor, Joy Cain, and providing community mental health services, operating a food pantry, and other social services. You can learn more about MIYFS here and attend the Foundation's upcoming Annual Breakfast Fundraiser here.

MISF funds a wide range of educational support including the new iReady curriculum, teachers’ grants, arts programs and other critical supports. You can learn more about MISF here and attend the Annual Breakfast Fundraiser Spring 2025.

In addition to supporting our PTA, we sincerely hope that you get to know what each of these partners means to your family and our community and pledge your support as well.

Q: Doesn’t the state/school district pay for these programs?

A: Our school district is granted a budget each year by the state of Washington. This budget reflects the current school funding model which includes a regionalization factor, a levy lid, and is then distributed amongst our schools. It is not enough to cover the depth and breadth of the educational support, paraprofessional and mental health staffing, and community building activities that organizations like our PTA and community partners like MIYFS and MISF provide. A large part of what makes our Island schools special and preferred by families is the strong community involvement at all levels. Families, PTAs, and community partners have committed to rolling up our sleeves and advocating for funding at the local and state levels, and organizing to fund gaps in programs and positions not covered by the current funding model. 100% of funds raised from our ASK Campaign directly benefit Island Park Elementary and do NOT affect the level of funding we receive from the state.

Additional Fundraising ActivitieS

Spring Party/Auction - We're bringing back our Spring Party/Auction - stay tuned!

Community Fundraising – Earn Money for IP at No Cost to You!

Our PTA partners with merchants to provide programs where you shop as usual and Island Park earns money. Join us at these community fundraising opportunities to help address any shortfalls throughout the year:

Books & Bites (Fall) – Grab a coffee (morning) or a glass of wine (evening) and sip while you shop Island Books. You can buy books, gifts and gift cards for your friends, family, teacher, and favorite staff member. Ten percent of the proceeds go to our PTA! (this event usually takes place November)
Family Night Out – Stay tuned for more information as we plan our Family Night out at local restaurants!

For any questions or assistance with donations or fundraising, please contact Kat Lagbas, VP of Fundraising at fundraising@islandparkpta.org.