Success Stories

For Dorothea Lange Elementary, the annual Bobcat Run is much more than a fundraiser. It’s a day filled with excitement, school spirit, and community support helping fund programs students enjoy throughout the entire year.

This year's event once again brought families, teachers, and students together to support the school's PTO and the enrichment opportunities it provides. As one of the school's two major fundraisers each year, Bobcat Run plays a critical role in supporting programs that might otherwise not be possible.

"We're pretty happy with it," said PTO President Kyle. "That is the majority of our funding, really."

Funding Experiences Beyond the Classroom

Funds raised through Bobcat Run support a wide variety of programs and activities across campus. The PTO helps fund school assemblies as well as art, theater, and gardening programs that give students opportunities to learn and grow outside of traditional academics.

Students in kindergarten through third grade participate in gardening programs, while fourth through sixth grade students enjoy theater instruction. Art opportunities are available for older students, helping ensure that creativity remains an important part of the educational experience.

The fundraiser's impact can also be seen in tangible improvements around campus. Last year's Bobcat Run helped fund the school's new digital marquee sign. This year, proceeds helped provide students with two new water fountains equipped with water bottle filling stations.

A Community Effort

Kyle credits much of the fundraiser's success to the teachers who help keep students engaged throughout the campaign.

"We try really hard," he said. "A lot of that has to come down to teachers pushing it."

The school also works closely with students when selecting prizes and incentives, making sure rewards are things students are genuinely excited about earning.

One unexpected favorite this year?

"Dumpling Squishies," Kyle laughed. "Those were hot to get, for sure."

The incentives helped keep enthusiasm high while creating a fun sense of motivation and friendly competition among students.

A Day Students Look Forward To

The Bobcat Run itself is a full-day celebration.

Classes rotate through the event throughout the day, heading outside to run while a DJ keeps the energy high. Students are cheered on by Buggy the Bobcat, the school's mascot, and rewarded with snow cones after completing their run.

"It's a big all-day event," Kyle explained. "They have a good time with it."

One  change that simplified the experience was switching to flat donations rather than tracking pledges per lap. This allowed students to enjoy the event while making fundraising easier for supporters and organizers alike.

Six Years of Success with PledgeStar

Dorothea Lange Elementary has been using PledgeStar for several years, and Kyle says the platform has become an important part of making Bobcat Run successful.

"We love it," he said. "It makes it so easy."

One of the most valuable features for the PTO team is the reporting system. The ability to quickly access participant data, prize information, and fundraising totals helps volunteers stay organized throughout the campaign.

Kyle also praised the ability to access information from previous events, which has helped streamline planning and make each year's fundraiser easier to manage than the last.

"The reports are fantastic," he said. "Being able to pull previous data and work from past events made the process so much easier."

The school's team also regularly uses PledgeStar's Event Monitor feature to provide teachers with updates and fundraising snapshots that can easily be shared in classrooms.

Beyond fundraising, Kyle noted that the platform simplifies accounting and record keeping, especially when tracking corporate sponsorships, checks, and other contributions throughout the campaign.

"The accounting side of it is fantastic," he said.

Looking Ahead

As another successful Bobcat Run comes to a close, Dorothea Lange Elementary already sees the impact the event has on students throughout the coming year.

From enrichment programs and assemblies to campus improvements and classroom opportunities, the fundraiser continues to provide experiences that benefit every student.

For Kyle and the PTO team, that's what makes the event worthwhile.

"We love it," he said. "It makes it so easy."

And for the students racing across the field, cheering with friends, and celebrating with snow cones, Bobcat Run remains one of the highlights of the school year.

Village Christian Middle School continued its strong fundraising tradition this year with the Crusader Challenge, raising more than $17,500 in support of exciting campus improvements and future student opportunities.

Funds raised through the event will help support a new event center, a digital marquee, and important technology upgrades within the middle school, investments that will directly benefit students, families, and staff for years to come.

A Longstanding Partnership

Village Christian Middle School has now been using PledgeStar for four years, incorporating the platform into two annual fundraisers: the fall “Book It” Readathon and the spring Crusader Challenge.

For Karina, who has led fundraising efforts for the past several years, the transition to PledgeStar originally began at the elementary school level.

“We first used a different platform, but realized PledgeStar made more sense financially because the other site was taking much more of our proceeds,” Karina explained. “We switched to PledgeStar, and now both the elementary and middle school use it.”

Strong Participation Across Families

This year’s Crusader Challenge saw impressive engagement from the school community:

• Over 90% of those registered online raised money

• 85% of participants sent out donation requests

Families found the registration and donation process simple and straightforward, which helped make participation easier across the board.

“The families found it incredibly easy, and I received no questions regarding help,” Karina shared.

Organized, Efficient, and Easy to Manage

For organizers, one of the biggest advantages was how accessible and organized everything felt throughout the fundraiser.

“Any reports that I need to run are easily accessible, and the staff support is ready to help whenever I need it,” Karina said.

She also highlighted how helpful the prize reporting features were, especially the ability to sort and organize information using different filters such as grade level or amount raised.

“The prize report was very helpful, and being able to group it by different filters made things much easier to manage.”

The clean layout and user-friendly design also stood out throughout the event, helping both families and administrators navigate the fundraiser smoothly.

Another detail that left a lasting impression was the responsiveness of the PledgeStar support team.

“PledgeStar support is delightful and answers any questions shockingly fast,” Karina noted.

That level of support helped the event run smoothly from start to finish and gave organizers confidence throughout the process.

Looking Ahead

With another successful Crusader Challenge completed, Village Christian Middle School continues to build momentum toward meaningful campus improvements while strengthening participation within its school community.

From strong family involvement to streamlined organization behind the scenes, this year’s event showed how the right tools and a dedicated community can come together to create lasting impact.

The CDMHS Basketball Boosters are once again seeing strong results from their annual Free Throw Challenge, raising more than $32,500 and counting, already surpassing last year's total of $31,181. As one of the basketball program's most important fundraisers, the event provides critical financial support while bringing players, families, and supporters together around a shared goal.

Although this is Brian's second year overseeing the fundraiser from start to finish, the booster club has trusted PledgeStar for nearly a decade. For him, the platform has made organizing the fundraiser both efficient and dependable.

"I've been extremely happy with how our program has been run," Brian said. "Everything has been great."

Helping Booster Clubs Focus on Their Teams

Unlike many school-wide fundraisers, booster clubs often rely on a small group of parents to manage registration, donations, reporting, and communication while also supporting practices, games, and team events. Having a platform that simplifies those responsibilities can make a significant difference.

Brian shared that several fundraising companies have approached the basketball program over the past year, but he has continued to stick with PledgeStar.

"I've turned down other companies that have approached us, and we will continue to work with you guys."

In fact, Brian has recommended PledgeStar to several other organizations at the school and even introduced it to another local high school's basketball booster program after seeing how easy it was to send donation requests and collect contributions.

Saving Time Where It Matters Most

One feature that stood out this year was the ability for returning families to import donor contacts from the previous year's fundraiser.

For busy parents, what could have been a time-consuming process became something that took only a few clicks.

"That feature alone saves so much time," Brian said.

Using the same email address from the previous year automatically populated past donor contacts, allowing families to quickly review their list, make any updates, and begin sending requests without having to rebuild everything from scratch.

For a booster club managing dozens of student athletes, those time savings add up quickly.

Keeping Players Engaged

While the boosters organize the fundraiser, the coaching staff plays an important role in encouraging participation.

Each player is expected to send at least 20 donation requests, with coaches providing regular reminders throughout the campaign. If players fall behind, the reminders sometimes come with a little extra motivation on the basketball court.

Adding to the excitement are grade-level leaderboards, which allow players to see how each class is performing throughout the fundraiser.

The friendly competition has become another way to keep students engaged while encouraging everyone to contribute to the team's success.

Straightforward Tools That Make a Difference

Brian also praised the platform's ease of use, noting that both the setup process and day-to-day management have been simple to navigate.

"The dashboard is pretty straightforward," he said.

He also highlighted the responsiveness of the PledgeStar team, sharing that questions are answered quickly and support is always available when needed.

Those efficiencies allow booster club leaders to spend less time managing spreadsheets and administrative tasks and more time supporting the student-athletes and the basketball program.

Looking Ahead

With donations continuing to come in, this year's Free Throw Challenge has already built on last year's success and is helping position the CDMHS Basketball Boosters for another strong season.

For Brian, the decision to continue using PledgeStar has been an easy one.

After seeing the platform save time, simplify the fundraising process, and make it easier for families to participate, he plans to continue using it in the years ahead while recommending it to other booster organizations looking for a reliable fundraising solution.

Lagway Elementary’s annual Color Run brought students, families, and staff together for another energetic day of school spirit, ultimately raising more than $23,000 and surpassing the school’s original goal of $20,000.

Funds raised through the event will go toward new playground or learning equipment, with students themselves helping decide what the school will purchase through a campus-wide voting process.

A New Approach to Fundraising

This year marked Lagway Elementary’s first time using PledgeStar after previously hosting two Color Runs with another fundraising company. According to PTO coordinator Rachel, one of the organization’s biggest priorities this year was finding a platform that allowed the school to keep more of what they raised.

“One of our bigger goals as a PTO was to save costs going toward the vendor,” Rachel explained. “That was honestly one of the biggest draws for us.”

Lagway Elementary is still a relatively new school, having only been open for five years, and this was just the third Color Run in school history.

User Friendly for Families and PTO Leaders

As the PTO researched different fundraising platforms, Rachel said many companies felt overly sales-focused or lacked tools specifically designed for schools. PledgeStar stood out because of its straightforward setup, reporting features, and school-centered design.

“It felt built for fundraising,” Rachel shared. “The interface felt user friendly both on the PTO side and on the family and donor side.”

The reporting tools also made a significant difference for organizers, especially when tracking incentives and prizes for students.

“Being able to see the reporting and know what prizes we had to award was really helpful,” she said. “Other fundraising companies we looked at didn’t have things like that built in.”

Rachel also noted that the responsiveness of the PledgeStar support team helped make the transition smooth.

“We didn’t have any major issues, technical or otherwise, but when we did have questions, PledgeStarwas really quick to respond,” she said. “Usually within the hour or just a couple hours, and that was really appreciated.”

Investing in Future Campus Improvements

Although Lagway Elementary had already hosted a successful fundraiser earlier in the school year, the PTO still wanted the Color Run to support projects that students would directly benefit from and feel excited about.

This year’s funds will go toward new playground or learning equipment, with students helping guide the decision-making process through a school-wide vote organized by the principal.

“The teachers identified playground equipment or some type of learning equipment as something they’d      really like to add,” Rachel shared.

Rachel also explained that while the PTO wanted to be mindful of families financially, the fundraiser still provided an important opportunity to build school spirit and continue investing in the student experience.

“Extra money is always nice to have in reserve too,” she added.

By involving students in choosing future additions to campus, the fundraiser became more than just a way to raise money. It also gave students a voice in helping shape their school environment.

Looking Ahead

Following a successful first year with PledgeStar, Lagway Elementary plans to continue using the platform in future fundraisers.

“We definitely plan on utilizing your platform in the future,” Rachel said.

For a growing school focused on balancing community engagement with thoughtful fundraising goals, this year’s Color Run proved to be both a financial success and a positive experience for families, staff, and students alike.

Issaquah Valley Elementary’s annual Fun Run crossed the finish line in a big way this year, raising $44,823 and fully meeting the school’s fundraising goal. Organized by the school’s PTA Fun Run Committee and led by coordinator Amy, the event brought together students, families, teachers, and volunteers to support a wide range of programs that directly benefit the school community.

Funds raised through the Fun Run will help support the Cougar Store, teacher stipends, the Snack Shack, the Cougar Community Fund, Trunk or Treat, the Science Fair, staff grants, the Art Docent program, field trips, library resources, and many other student and community programs throughout the year.

A Community Project from Start to Finish

This year marked Issaquah Valley Elementary’s first year using PledgeStar and also the first year in recent memory that the PTA handled the Fun Run independently rather than working with a full-service fundraising company.

In previous years, the school had partnered with companies that managed much of the event, but Amy explained that the associated fees often consumed a large portion of the fundraiser’s earnings.

“You’d pay upwards of 40 to 45 percent in fees for their services and website fees,” Amy said. “We really wanted to be good stewards of PTA money.”

After reviewing eight or nine different fundraising platforms and speaking with other schools in the district, the PTA selected PledgeStar because it offered the flexibility and reporting tools they needed while keeping costs manageable. That’s why PledgeStar’s capped $1,195 platform fee, which gave the PTA confidence that more of the money raised would go directly back to school programs instead of operating costs, was one of the factors that sealed the deal.

One of the biggest deciding factors was the ability to customize what families could see directly on the fundraiser homepage. Since classrooms competed for prizes based on fundraising totals, visibility and engagement were especially important.

Top class prizes included:

• A Silly String Party

• A Glow Party

• An Indoor Snowball Fight

• An Extra Art Class

• An Extra Recess

“For that kind of competition to work, families need to easily see how classes are doing,” Amy explained. “With a lot of fundraising sites, that information is buried. PledgeStar allowed us to display exactly what we needed.”

Reports, Prizes, and Giant Golden Shoes

Once the fundraiser launched, Amy said she was surprised by how robust the reporting features were.

One of the committee’s favorite student incentives involved a giant golden shoe displayed during lunchtime prize drawings. Students who registered and sent at least two fundraising requests were entered into daily prize wheel drawings leading up to the Fun Run.

“I was worried about how we were going to manage all those names every day,” Amy laughed. “But the reporting system made it so much easier.”

The ability to generate reports based on how many requests were sent, the date they were sent out, classes that raised the most money helped the committee efficiently organize incentives and prize tracking throughout the campaign.

Teachers in Inflatable Costumes Steal the Show

Of course, the highlight of the event came after the fundraising goal was reached. As the grand prize celebration, 20 teachers raced each other in inflatable costumes while students cheered them on.

“It was really, really fun,” Amy said. “The teachers were great sports.”

The playful race became a memorable moment for students and staff alike and helped reinforce the community spirit behind the event.

Looking Ahead

Although running the event independently for the first time felt intimidating at first, Amy said the experience ended up bringing the community together in a meaningful way.

“Not having an outside company at the school made it feel more like a community project,” she shared.

Strong volunteer involvement, responsive support from the PledgeStar team, and positive feedback from families helped make the transition successful. 

For Issaquah Valley Elementary, this year’s Fun Run was more than just a fundraiser. It was a reminder of what a dedicated school community can accomplish together.

The Eisenhower Middle School Band community came together in a big way this year, raising over $24,000 to support the program’s growing needs. Coordinated by Erin, a dedicated band parent, the fundraiser focused on ensuring students have access to the tools, experiences, and instruction that help them thrive musically.

Funds raised will go toward sheet music, repairs and maintenance for school-owned instruments, specialized instruction, and unique opportunities like the Manzano Mountain music retreat. The fundraiser also helps cover transportation costs for important events such as the Music Performance Assessment and Honor Band concert.

Supporting a Well-Rounded Music Experience

For many students, band is more than just a class. It is a place to build confidence, develop discipline, and experience the joy of performing together. The funds raised will directly support those experiences, ensuring that every student has access to quality instruments, instruction, and performance opportunities.

Making Participation Simple

One of the key factors in this year’s success was how easy it was for students and families to participate. Using PledgeStar, many students were able to send out donation requests on their own, giving them a sense of ownership in the fundraiser.

“The site was very user friendly,” Erin shared. “Students were able to jump in and start sending requests without a lot of help.”

This ease of use helped increase participation and made it simple for families to connect with friends and relatives who wanted to support the program.

Building on Past Success

Another feature that made a noticeable difference was the ability to import donor contacts from the previous year. This allowed families to quickly reconnect with past supporters without having to start from scratch.

“Being able to bring in last year’s donors made it even easier to send out requests,” Erin noted. “It saved time and helped us reach people who were already excited to support our band.”

A Community Effort

The fundraiser highlighted the strong support system behind the Eisenhower band program. Students, parents, and supporters all played a role in making the campaign a success, helping ensure the program continues to grow and offer meaningful opportunities.

With over $24,000 raised, the Eisenhower Middle School Band is well positioned to continue providing enriching musical experiences for its students. From new sheet music to unforgettable trips and performances, the impact of this fundraiser will be felt throughout the year.

The band program extends its gratitude to everyone who contributed and helped make this effort a success. Through teamwork, dedication, and accessible tools, the Eisenhower community continues to show what is possible when everyone plays their part.

Pine Creek Elementary struck a chord with its community this year during the Badger Bash, successfully reaching its $55,000 fundraising goal and creating an event full of energy, teamwork, and school pride.

With the help of coordinator Kelly, the fundraiser brought together students, families, teachers, and volunteers in support of the school’s PTO, which provides essential funding throughout the year.

Supporting Students All Year Long

Funds raised from the Badger Bash will go directly toward the PTO’s annual budget, supporting a wide range of programs and experiences, including:

• Field trips

• School assemblies

• New equipment for students

• Teacher classroom allocations

• Monthly staff “boost ups”

• Conference meals for teachers

“This fundraiser touches every part of our school,” Kelly shared. “It allows us to support both students and staff in meaningful ways all year long.”

Strong Participation Across Every Classroom

One of the most impressive achievements this year was the level of student involvement. Every class reached over 80 percent participation, a testament to the excitement surrounding the event and the strong sense of community at Pine Creek.

“Seeing that level of participation across the board was incredible,” Kelly said. “It really showed how invested our families are in supporting the school.”

Using PledgeStar helped make it easier for families to send out donation requests and keep track of their progress, which supported strong participation across classrooms.

Motivation Through Friendly Competition

A key driver of that participation was the use of prizes and incentives, which helped motivate students through healthy competition. Classrooms and individuals set goals, celebrated milestones, and cheered each other on throughout the fundraiser.

“The kids loved it,” Kelly said. “They were encouraging each other, checking progress, and really getting into the spirit of it. It made the whole experience more fun.”

Powered by Volunteers

Behind the scenes, a dedicated group of parent and community volunteers helped bring the Badger Bash to life. From organizing logistics to supporting students and staff throughout the event, their contributions were essential.

“This event would not be possible without our volunteers,” Kelly emphasized. “They show up, they support, and they help create something really special for our kids.”

More Than a Fundraiser

While reaching the $55,000 goal was a major accomplishment, the Badger Bash offered something even more valuable: connection. Students, families, and staff came together with a shared purpose, creating an atmosphere that was both celebratory and meaningful.

“It’s more than just raising money,” Kelly reflected. “It’s about building a community where everyone feels involved and proud of what we’re doing together.”

With another successful Badger Bash in the books, Pine Creek Elementary continues to build a tradition that supports both educational opportunities and school spirit.

Thanks to strong participation, enthusiastic students, and the dedication of volunteers, this year’s event proved that when a community comes together, great things happen.

Clear Springs Elementary proved that a love of reading can make a powerful impact, raising an incredible $83,000 during this year’s Read-A-Thon, surpassing their goal of $75,000. In their first year using PledgeStar, the school community came together to support both literacy and a wide range of student programs.

Even more impressive, students collectively logged 290,981 minutes of reading, transforming time spent with books into meaningful support for their school.

Reading with Purpose

The Read-A-Thon was designed to do more than raise funds. It encouraged students to build strong reading habits while contributing to initiatives that directly enhance their learning environment.

Funds raised will support:

• Teacher enrichment opportunities

• Field trips

• Community nights

• Materials for family service projects

• Classroom literacy efforts

• New and inspiring learning spaces

The result is a fundraiser that connects academic growth with real-world impact, reinforcing the importance of both education and community.

A Strong First Year with PledgeStar

As a first-time PledgeStar school, Clear Springs Elementary saw immediate success with the platform. Families were able to easily support students, helping the school not only meet but exceed its ambitious goal.

One standout outcome was the overwhelming support for the fee coverage option. More than 87 percent of donors chose to cover credit card processing fees, ensuring that nearly every dollar donated went directly back to the school.

Building Momentum Through Participation

The read a thon encouraged students of all ages to participate at their own pace, making it an inclusive and engaging experience. Whether students read independently, with family members, or in the classroom, every minute contributed to the school-wide total.

The nearly 291,000 minutes read reflects not just participation, but enthusiasm. Students were motivated not only by fundraising goals but by the shared achievement of reaching an extraordinary reading milestone together.

A Community Effort

Parents, teachers, and supporters all played a role in the event’s success. From encouraging reading at home to sharing donation requests with friends and family, the entire Clear Springs community contributed to making the Read-a-thon both meaningful and memorable.

Looking Ahead

With a successful first year behind them, Clear Springs Elementary has set a strong foundation for future Read-a-thons. The combination of academic focus, community involvement, and effective fundraising tools created an experience that benefited both students and the school as a whole.

By turning pages into progress, Clear Springs Elementary demonstrated how reading can inspire not only learning, but lasting impact.

Littleton Preparatory Charter School’s Griffin Gallop fundraiser delivered strong results this year, raising over $55,000. Coordinated by Jenn, the event combined student enthusiasm with careful planning and efficient systems, helping the school move closer to meaningful playground improvements.

Funds raised through the Griffin Gallop will be used to enhance the LPCS playground, including ongoing supplies for the popular spider swing, new ball keepers, and increased shaded areas to support safe and comfortable outdoor play.

Clear Organization Makes a Difference

One of the standout elements of this year’s fundraiser was how smoothly it ran behind the scenes. Using PledgeStar, administrators were able to clearly track how much the school had raised at every stage of the campaign. Totals were easy to view, making it simple for staff to monitor progress and share updates with the school community.

Lap counts from the Griffin Gallop were also easy to enter and manage, allowing student efforts to be recorded accurately and efficiently. This helped eliminate confusion and reduced the need for follow-up corrections after the event.

Flexible Payment Tracking

In addition to credit card donations, the school received contributions in the form of cash and checks, which were easily entered and tracked alongside online donations. Having everything in one place gave administrators confidence that all funds were accounted for, regardless of how they were received.

“Being able to track everything in one system made a huge difference,” Jenn shared. “It simplified the entire process for our team.”

Prize Tracking Without the Stress

Another major benefit was the ability to keep detailed records of which students earned which prizes. Instead of relying on spreadsheets or manual lists, staff could quickly see reward levels and distribution needs, significantly reducing the workload and minimizing errors.

This organization allowed staff to focus on celebrating student achievements rather than managing paperwork.

A Fundraiser with Lasting Impact

While the Griffin Gallop energized students and staff alike, its impact will continue long after the event. The funds raised will directly support improvements that benefit every student during recess and outdoor activities, creating a safer and more enjoyable playground environment.

The success of this year’s Griffin Gallop has set a strong foundation for future events. With efficient tools and a supportive community, Littleton Preparatory Charter is well positioned to continue building on this momentum.