CRES PTO Fundraising

Fundraising is one of the PTO's key responsibilities since it allows Colvin Run parents to ensure our children have access to educational enrichment programs and opportunities that positively impact their education. Many of these programs and opportunities are unique to Colvin Run Elementary School because of the ongoing collaboration between our CRES staff and PTO.

One of our values as a school community has been to avoid many of the fundraising events often found at other schools. Unlike many schools, we do not encourage our children to sell products (wrapping paper, candles, cheese and sausage, candy, etc.) that cost parents much more than the proceeds they yield to the school. Through our direct-donation fundraiser, 100% of the money raised is used to support our school and various PTO family events. The direct-donation fundraiser is our primary fundraising event and involves making a one-time direct donation to the PTO and nothing else....No selling, no wrapping paper, no "thons".

The PTO continues to find innovative ways to supplement membership fees and direct donations from parents with a variety of campaigns that earn commissions on value added services for our community or take advantage of third-party donation and grant programs. The most impactful supplemental programs are found below. Take time to explore them to find out how these programs provide "free money" to Colvin Run Elementary.

Where Your Money Goes | CRES PTO Fundraising Programs

Where Your Money Goes

The CRES PTO annual operating budget directly enhances our children's learning experience and enriches our school community. Just a few of the educational and community-building programs and services made possible by the CRES PTO include:

• 120 New Laptops for mobile computer lab
• STEAM Lab
• Curriculum enhancement (violin for 3rd grade, Lexia reading program, William and Mary Advanced Academic Curriculum)
• Computer Lab
• World Languages including the Spanish Program with both teacher-led classes and Rosetta Stone
• Support for Academic Competition Teams, e.g. Science Olympiad, Lego Leagues and Odyssey of the Mind
• Art Plus Program
• Character Education Program: Project Shape the Future
• Support for grade-level events and academic enrichment activities
• Room parent program
• Teacher support programs
• Website and bi-weekly newsletters

Fundraising Programs: Innovative Ways Our PTO Raises Money to Help the Kids

PTO Memberships

Your $25 family membership enables the PTO to produce a fantastic year of community events like the Family Science Night, Talent Show, Culturama, and Family Movie Night. Your membership also helps support the PTO website and biweekly newsletter, and the  school directory (a must for organizing play dates and birthday parties! Sign up here.

Membership bonus: Each member family gets a printed copy of the school directory.

Direct Donation Drive

Many of CRES's award-winning programs and services are made possible only through the funding from our PTO operating budget. Direct donations are our major source of revenue. The Direct Donation Drive allows 100% of each family's donation to directly and immediately benefit your children and our school community. Your tax deductible donation of $125 per student directly supports the PTO-funded enrichment programs. We understand that every family's situation is different and we warmly accept donations of any size.

Donate online here. Thanks so much! 

Double the Donation

Double the Donation is a corporate giving program that offers corporations the chance to match employee's giving to charitable causes. When you donate to CRES PTO using the Double the Donation program, you can simply search for your employer's name and offer them the chance to match your charitable gift!

Click to see if your employer has opted into this amazing program! 

Corporate Donation Matching Programs

Don't forget to talk to your HR department or check our database below to see if your company will match your donation to CRES PTO. Some companies even offer school grants! If you need more information to submit to your company or if you have any questions you can email the VP of Fundraising for more information. (If you need our EIN# you can find it here or in the "Our PTO" section of the main menu.) 

Store Rewards Programs

Each Year Colvin Run PTO receives significant income from merchant rebate programs. These funds help supplement program costs and reduce reliance on direct fundraising from our families. When you link your grocery bonus cards to Colvin Run Elementary's school fund or use our affiliate link when you make a purchase, a portion of your purchase goes to the PTO - at no additional cost to you! Remember, grandparents, friends, extended family and even your business can participate.

Remember: all rewards cards have to be re-linked every year. Here's how to do it.

Supported programs: Giant | Harris Teeter | Target | Amazon | Office Max

 Vendor Sponsorships

Whenever possible and appropriate, we try to defray the cost of events by working with vendors who provide both value added services for our members and support for the PTO.