Annual Give 2026

Our Financial Goal

This year’s Annual Give campaign is one of Whittier PTA’s three primary fundraisers. To fund the programs and services we’re committed to support, Whittier PTA needs to fundraise a combined total of $225,000 through donations during Annual Give, Move-a-thon, and Spring Fling fundraisers. 

For Annual Give, we’re aiming to collect $395 per student, with the idea that we’ll raise another $255 per student during our Move-a-thon and Spring Fling fundraisers. If you’d rather submit one donation during Annual Give to fulfill fundraising support for the school year, you can select the option to provide a single donation of $650 (which can be split into monthly, recurring payments).

However, we know this is a big ask—please do what is right for your family and know that ALL donations are appreciated. From $10 to $1000, EVERY donation fuels the school; and EVERY student, teacher, and family benefits.

Why Do PTAs Fundraise?

You may have heard about PTAs and Boosters in the past. PTA funds play an important role in Seattle Public Schools. SPS’ weighted funding model, which ensures low-income communities receive more funding, relies on PTAs to fill in known gaps in school budgets.

23rd in Size – 44th in Funds

For the 2024-25 school year, Whittier is ranked the 23rd largest elementary school in SPS. Out of 63 schools, Whittier ranked 44th in per student funding in the same school year. Whittier PTA provides financial support to bridge this funding gap in the following ways:

The PTA supports funding for Nurse Marissa

When SPS cut Whittier’s discretionary budget for the 2024-2025 school year, it meant the school’s budget could no longer use funds to help increase Nurse Marissa’s days on-site. Whittier PTA’s funding is increasing Nurse Marissa’s on-site presence to 2 days per week.

SPS funds 70% of the Specialist Schedule; PTA funds the Rest

The PTA funds the remaining 30% with Staffing Grants–supporting .5 FTE and full week engagement from the Specialist team. This allows us to have 5 days a week of Specialist classes (PE, Performing Arts, Art). This Specialist schedule doesn’t just ensure our Wildcat scholars have a well-rounded education complete with physical education and the arts—this schedule allows teachers to meet as a grade-level group to coordinate differentiation plans to serve all our students.

PTA supports funding for Reading Intervention position staffed by Ms. Trilby

Whittier receives only 25% of funding needed for a 4-day per week Reading Interventionist

As a Tier 4 school, Whittier is ineligible for most SPS or Seattle Levy funding for literacy support beyond our 1 day per week of intervention ($40,000) and .5 Librarian FTE.

PTA funds allow our Wildcats to work with the incredible Ms. Trilby, close reading gaps and reduce the number of students who fall behind in Reading. Principal Watters uses the PTA’s Flexible Staffing to efficiently spread Specialist funding and add the remaining 75% needed for our Literacy Specialist to her budget. This gives us 4 days a week of reading intervention, serving THREE TIMES as many students.

PTA fully funds Math Intervention and Extension and Whittier’s new STEAM Lab

Whittier PTA 100% funds an Enrichment Coordinator position to coordinate curriculum and volunteers to provide math intervention (support) and extension (challenge) services for grade 3-5 students needing additional support to meet their educational needs. As with Reading Intervention, this program helps all Whittier students as teachers are able to focus on differentiation for all students because of this support.

This Enrichment Coordinator also supports our Whittier’s new STEAM Lab, a lab space designed and built by community volunteers and financially supported by Whittier PTA this year. The Enrichment Coordinator both works in the lab and coordinates community volunteers to facilitate lab activities with students and teachers.

Learn more about what the PTA funds here.

Learn more about SPS’ Budget Model from previous budget presentations by Principal Watters.