Love Elementary School reached a major milestone this year with its annual Walkathon, raising over $60,000, an increase of more than $20,000 from last year’s total. For a Title I school committed to serving students from a wide range of backgrounds, the success reflected not only strong fundraising but also a more inclusive approach to participation.

This year marked Love Elementary’s first year using PledgeStar, following a switch from 99 Pledges, their previous fundraising platform. 

What Drove the Increase in Funds Raised

In a word… PledgeStar.

PledgeStar contains many exclusive features designed to raise more than any other online fundraising platform. In Love Elementary's case, 50% more!

These features include:

• Text message pledge requests generated over 220 donations, allowing families to connect with supporters quickly and personally.
  
  

• Corporate donation matching which doubled 33 large donations.
  
  

• Multi-lingual capabilities automatically translate pledge requests, eliminating language as a barrier to participation and ensuring the fundraiser includes the entire school community.
  
  

• Automated email reminders gently followed up with supporters who had not yet donated. These reminders get  sent automatically before the final day of the event, with the option to add additional reminders as needed.

• The Fee coverage option reduced credit card fees by 40%.

Together, these features raised $20,000 more with less work by helping families reach more donors, follow up more effectively,  simplify participation, and reduce expenses.

A Thoughtful Change with Big Impact

The decision to transition to PledgeStar came after Erin spoke with another school in Alameda that had seen significant fundraising growth after making the switch. What stood out most, however, was how the platform supported broader participation.

“We wanted to make it more equitable,” Erin shared. “Our students come from a wide range of income backgrounds, and it was important to us that every child could feel successful and included, regardless of how much they raised.”

Rather than placing the spotlight solely on dollar totals, PledgeStar’s emphasis on sending donation requests helped recognize effort and participation. Students were encouraged to reach out to family and community members, and their achievements were celebrated even if the donations were modest. The impact was immediate. Participation grew from about 200 students last year to more than 270 students this year, with 187 families registered.

 Easy to Use and Supportive Throughout

Families found the platform easy to navigate, making registration and outreach simple. Erin also noted how responsive the PledgeStar support team was whenever questions came up.

“The staff was very responsive when I had any questions, and the site was very easy to navigate. Everything felt seamless.”

In addition, donor participation in the fee coverage option helped reduce fundraising costs. More than 40 percent of donors chose to cover credit card processing fees, reducing expenses by over $600 and allowing more funds to directly support school programs.

Rising to the Moment on Event Day

The Walkathon itself came together despite an unexpected challenge. Just a week before the event, the school’s PE teacher, who typically hosts the Walkathon, rolled her ankle and was unable to be on campus.

In response, Erin, the PTA president, and the school principal stepped in to run the event.

“We ultimately had to throw it ourselves, and it ended up being a success,” Erin said. “The kids had an absolute blast, and now we know how to do it.”

The day was filled with energy, laughter, and student pride, reinforcing the value of teamwork and community support.

Funding Experiences That Matter

Funds raised through the Walkathon will support field trips, art supplies, science resources, and the school’s unique garden program.

“I believe our school is one of the few that has a garden program, and the students truly benefit from it,” Erin shared.

These programs provide hands-on learning opportunities that enrich students’ educational experiences throughout the year.

Looking Ahead

The Walkathon is a yearly tradition at Love Elementary, and this year’s success set a new benchmark. With increased participation, smoother organization, and a focus on inclusivity, the event demonstrated what is possible when fundraising celebrates effort as much as results.

More than the total raised, the true achievement was the sense of belonging and pride felt across the school community, a foundation Love Elementary will continue to build on in the years ahead.

BASIS Phoenix students, families, and staff united this year for Thanks in Action, a meaningful fundraising effort that raised over $20,000 in support of the school’s Annual Teacher Fund. Coordinated by Cassie, the event focused on celebrating and supporting the dedicated teachers who make a daily impact in the classroom.

Supporting Teachers Who Make a Difference

The Annual Teacher Fund plays a vital role in recognizing and supporting BASIS Phoenix educators. Funds raised through Thanks in Action directly contribute to teacher appreciation, retention, and resources that enhance the learning experience for students across all grade levels.

“This fundraiser gave families a simple and direct way to show appreciation for our teachers,” Cassie shared. “It felt purposeful and very aligned with our school values.”

Making Fundraising Simple with PledgeStar

A key factor in the fundraiser’s success was the use of PledgeStar, which made participation easy and accessible for everyone involved.

Student registration was quick and straightforward, allowing students to send out donation requests within minutes. Families appreciated how intuitive the platform was, especially the ability to share fundraising links digitally with friends and relatives near and far.

“PledgeStar really removed the barriers,” Cassie noted. “Students could focus on participating, families could easily support them, and organizers didn’t have to spend hours managing logistics.”

A Positive Experience for the Whole Community

Because the fundraising process was so streamlined, the school community was able to focus on what mattered most: gratitude, participation, and connection. Students felt empowered sending out their own requests, families found it easy to contribute, and teachers felt genuinely supported by the collective effort.

Thanks in Action demonstrated how a well-organized fundraiser paired with the right tools can make a meaningful impact. BASIS Phoenix extends sincere thanks to all who participated and helped make this fundraiser a success, as well as to the PledgeStar team for providing a platform that made the entire process efficient and stress-free.

With strong community support and accessible tools like PledgeStar, BASIS Phoenix continues to find thoughtful ways to invest in the educators who help students thrive every day.

The St. Francis de Sales School community once again showed its incredible school spirit during this year’s Spirit Walk Fundraiser. Now in its third year partnering with PledgeStar, the event shattered previous records, raising over $65,000 and marked the school’s most successful year yet.

A Milestone Achievement

This year’s Spirit Walk not only met expectations—it exceeded them by leaps and bounds. The event brought together students, families, and staff for a day filled with energy, pride, and purpose.

“Every year, our community comes out stronger,” Adrienne, the event coordinator said. “To see our students so excited to participate while raising funds that directly benefit their education is incredibly rewarding.”

The funds raised will go toward enhancing educational programs, supporting teachers, and improving campus facilities, investments that make a lasting impact on every student.

Growing with PledgeStar

Now celebrating its third year using the PledgeStar platform, St. Francis de Sales School has seen firsthand how digital fundraising can transform event success.

“Each year with PledgeStar has been smoother and more effective than the last,” Adrienne explained. “The platform continues to evolve, and so do we.”

PledgeStar’s tools, such as automated reminders, online sharing links, and real-time progress tracking, made it easy for families to participate and helped organizers stay on top of donations.

“It saves our team hours of work,” Adrienne added. “The instant reports, communication tools, and simplicity allow us to focus on the event itself instead of the logistics.”

A Day Full of Spirit

On event day, the St. Francis de Sales campus came alive with excitement as students walked, cheered, and celebrated their shared achievements. Teachers joined in the fun, cheering on students as they completed laps and reached personal fundraising goals.

The Spirit Walk has become one of the school’s most anticipated traditions—a true highlight of the year where families, staff, and students come together to celebrate both fitness and community.

“It’s more than just a fundraiser,” Adrienne reflected. “It’s a celebration of who we are as a school, our teamwork, our pride, and our spirit.”

Looking Ahead

After three years of partnership, St. Francis de Sales continues to trust PledgeStar as a vital part of its fundraising success. With each event, participation has grown, and donations have surpassed expectations.

The school extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed; students, parents, teachers, and volunteers and to the PledgeStar team for their continued support and innovation.

“PledgeStar has become part of our success story,” Adrienne said. “We can’t wait to see how we’ll grow together in the years ahead.”

St. Mary’s School’s annual SMB Color Run was a vibrant success this year, with students, families, and staff coming together for one of the most exciting days of the school year. Coordinated by Casey, the event not only filled the campus with color and joy but also exceeded fundraising expectations in a big way.

Fundraising Success

The goal for this year’s Color Run was $35,000, and the community rallied to raise an impressive $38,936, the highest amount in the last five years. All funds will directly support St. Mary’s School’s operating budget, which includes teacher salaries, facility maintenance, and a designated yearly upgrade.

“Seeing the joy on the students’ faces while knowing we were raising money that will directly benefit their school experience was incredibly rewarding,” said Wilson.

Why PledgeStar?

As a returning school, St. Mary’s once again partnered with PledgeStar, a fundraising platform that has proven both efficient and effective.

Wilson noted that the platform has streamlined communication with families, automated reminders, and provided instant reporting, saving the committee hours of manual work. Favorite features included real-time progress tracking, which kept students motivated, and easy online sharing, which allowed the fundraiser to extend well beyond the local community.

“Don’t hesitate, it makes fundraising so much easier and more successful. The platform does the heavy lifting, so you can focus on the fun and community side of the event,” Wilson advised other schools.

Event Day Highlights

Energy and excitement filled the air from start to finish. Students delighted in the prizes and activities, while staff members joined the fun with creative incentives.

Highlights included:

• Swag Bags for top earners in each grade

• A Week Out of Uniform Pass

• Families who raised $500 or more earned the chance to throw color chalk powder on teachers and even the principal!

Teachers also played a huge role in the day’s success, volunteering to be part of the fun and setting classroom goals to inspire students to participate.

Strengthening Community Spirit

Beyond the financial success, the event brought the St. Mary’s community closer together. Families, staff, and students worked side by side to create a celebration that embodied school spirit.

“It strengthened our school spirit and gave families, staff, and students a reason to come together in a positive, fun environment,” Wilson reflected.

Final Thanks

The school extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported the fundraiser and a special thanks to the PledgeStar team for their responsive and helpful guidance throughout the process.

With another successful SMB Color Run in the books, St. Mary’s School continues to demonstrate the power of community, collaboration, and a little bit of color to achieve something extraordinary.

Learning Tree Elementary's 10th Annual Walk-A-Thon was a major success, raising just over $37,000 toward important campus upgrades including an outdoor bathroom, new soccer nets, updated playground equipment, and a kitchen remodel. Their fundraising event matched previous years' results and delivered something even more valuable, community spirit, student enthusiasm, and a reminder of the power of teamwork.

Making Fundraising Easier with PledgeStar

As a small school, Learning Tree turns to PledgeStar each year to lighten the workload and streamline the process.
"We continue using PledgeStar because it's so simple to use and so effective at keeping track of every amount we raise," said event coordinator Crystal. "At the click of a button, we can see totals by class, track who's registered, and easily monitor progress. It saves us so much time."

One of the team's favorite features? Real-time tracking. "Every morning, I would update the total so the kids could see our funds growing," Crystal shared. "It helped keep everyone motivated."

A High-Energy Event With Heart

On the big day, excitement was high as the Walk-A-Thon kicked off with a starting gun. Students made their way around the track, marking each lap with pride. For two full hours, music filled the air while kids walked, families cheered, and volunteers passed out snacks and drinks. The event wrapped with pizza for everyone, a tradition that's become a student favorite.

"The students love it," Crystal said. "And we love that it promotes moving our bodies and staying healthy."

Prizes and Participation

This year's fundraiser included fun incentives to keep the momentum going. Awards were given to top-earning families, students who sent out the most pledge requests, and those who completed the most laps in their class. The class that raised the most earned an ice cream party, just one more way the school keeps things fun and engaging.

Whole-School Involvement

The entire Learning Tree community came together to make the Walk-A-Thon a success. Parents created PledgeStar accounts and shared pledge requests, teachers helped students train for the event, and volunteers donated snacks and helped serve pizza on event day.

Crystal emphasized that the support from parents, teachers, and staff is what makes this event shine each year. "It starts slow," she said, "but once people get on board, the momentum builds fast."

Shoutout to PledgeStar Support

Crystal also gave a special shoutout to Emily from PledgeStar, who provided excellent support throughout the planning process. "She was a superstar, so patient when we had questions or needed to make changes."

Looking Ahead

Though the event is over, the impact continues. The funds raised will go directly toward upgrades that benefit every student and the experience brought the school together in a fun, healthy, and meaningful way.

"To anyone planning a fundraiser, I encourage you to use PledgeStar," Crystal said. "It's absolutely worth the effort and investment."

The 2025 Jog-A-Thon at Bradshaw Christian School was nothing short of extraordinary. With the leadership of Ann Gomez, the school's community rallied together and raised an impressive $330,254 - a record-breaking Jog-A-Thon achievement that will go toward vital campus improvements including interior road development, upgraded access gates, and a new sound system for the middle school/high school gym.

A Record Year of Support

This year's Jog-A-Thon fundraiser brought in more support than ever before. From early planning to the final lap, Bradshaw families showed up with unmatched generosity and enthusiasm.

"The response was incredible," said Ann. "It was inspiring to see how quickly our community stepped up, not just to help us reach our goal, but to blow past it."

Simple, Streamlined Success with PledgeStar

PledgeStar once again played a key role in the Jog-A-Thon fundraiser's success, offering an easy-to-use, highly effective online fundraising platform for tracking donations, engaging families, and sharing student fundraising pages far and wide. The intuitive fundraising tools helped Bradshaw's team stay organized while empowering families to make an impact with just a few clicks.

Energy, Excitement, and School Spirit

The Jog-A-Thon event itself was a celebration of health, movement, and unity. Students jogged with purpose and excitement while music played, families cheered, and volunteers offered water and encouragement along the way. The positive energy on campus was infectious.

"It was such a fun and joyful day for everyone," said Ann. "It's one of those events that brings the whole school together."

Making a Real Impact

Thanks to the overwhelming support, Bradshaw Christian School is now set to move forward on several key projects: improving internal roads, enhancing campus security with new access gates, and upgrading the sound system in the middle school and high school gym improvements that will benefit students for years to come.

"This Jog-A-Thon fundraiser wasn't just about money, it was about building the future of our school," Ann said. "And our community made that possible."

When Wellington Elementary School hosted its Candyland Dash fundraiser, the results were nothing short of amazing. Brynn, a passionate volunteer and one of the event coordinators, chose PledgeStar to ease the process, and the platform delivered beyond expectations.

PledgeStar’s user-friendly features allowed students to create personalized fundraising pages, share them with family and friends, and track their progress in real time.

“It was incredibly easy to set up, and the families loved it,” said Brynn. “PledgeStar made everything run smoothly from start to finish. Our families appreciated the online convenience, and the students got really excited about the process.”

Why PledgeStar?

Brynn selected PledgeStar because of its simplicity and its ability to engage families digitally. "The real-time tracking was a game-changer. I could see how things were going. The fact that parents could donate online and track progress made the entire experience so much easier,” she shared.

The team set a fundraising goal of $55,000. With PledgeStar’s intuitive platform, they surpassed expectations, raising over $70,000—an impressive $15,000 above their target!

“It was incredible to see the excitement and support from our families,” Brynn added. “The ease of setting up personalized fundraising pages and the ability to track donations in real time kept everyone motivated. Our families loved the online experience, and the students were so proud of how much they raised.”

The Candyland Dash and Community Spirit

The Candyland Dash transformed Wellington Elementary into a vibrant, candy-themed wonderland. The school was filled with colorful decorations, and students competed for exciting prizes like Candyland bracelets, peppermint-shaped erasers, and, of course, candy. The festive atmosphere inspired students and boosted participation.

Even more inspiring, the event brought the community together during a challenging time. A tornado had recently impacted the nearby area, but the school demonstrated incredible resilience and unity. Despite the adversity, Wellington rallied to make the event a resounding success.

The Results

Thanks to the overwhelming support from the Wellington community, the school raised enough funds to purchase a state-of-the-art digital marquee. The additional funds will support other important initiatives, ensuring long-term benefits for the school. The event not only met but exceeded expectations, leaving everyone involved feeling inspired and energized.

How PledgeStar Helped

While the school didn’t require a full-service option, they knew exactly what they wanted to accomplish and needed a platform to help bring their vision to life. PledgeStar’s detailed reporting features, including Prize Reports, proved invaluable in managing the fundraiser efficiently.

The platform’s attractive pricing and the potential to exceed fundraising caps further cemented its appeal. “Knowing that we could easily exceed our goal if we reached the cap was a huge motivator,” Brynn explained.

Wellington Elementary’s Candyland Dash became a shining example of what’s possible when a school and its community come together.

Are you tired of fundraisers that ask you to sell things? Regina Mayes was. Gilbert Elementary School’s PTSO co-president in Gilbert, Arizona, Mayes was looking for better options. Rather than asking families to sell things, the preschool through sixth grade school with about 600 students used PledgeStar for the second year in a row to host the school’s direct-donation drive.

“We sent the students home with a flier and package of Life Savers with a note that said, ‘You are a lifesaver for supporting our school’ and a QR code that directed them to the PledgeStar site,” says Mayes. “We also included it in our school newsletter, sent digital fliers, posted it on the school’s marquee, talked about it during morning announcements, and posted headlines like, ‘Are you tired of fundraisers that ask you to sell things?’ on the school’s social media.”

Mayes is also hypersensitive to Gilbert parents’ needs. “We are a Title 1 school,” says Mayes, “so we want the most benefit for the funds we raised and to not burden families who are already in a tight spot. We don’t want them to feel pressured to financially contribute. Before we found PledgeStar, the companies we were using kept 40% of our earnings. PledgeStar not only has a much smaller service fee, but it also lets families opt to cover credit card service fees for payments.”

Gilbert kicked off the drive with an assembly hosted by a professional emcee who got the kids excited about the fundraiser. “We gave out a participation prize just for signing up,” says Mayes. “That way, kids of families that were not financially able to contribute wouldn’t feel left out.” Using PledgeStar’s tracking system, Gilbert set schoolwide goals. “When we hit $5,000, the kids got music at lunch,” says Mayes. “When we hit $10,000, our school therapy dog participated in spirit week activities. When we hit $20,000, a barber shaved and dyed a tiger paw into the back of the principal’s hair during our Otter Pop party.”

“Our goal was $20,000, and we raised $28,000.” explains Mayes. “At the end of the drive, we had a big celebration where students received prizes.” As an added incentive to raise additional funds, faculty and staff participated in a dance-off at the celebration as a reward for the students reaching their final goal. “The kids voted them off until there was a final winner,” says Mayes. “The emcee returned to help facilitate, and a parent who is a professional photographer documented the whole event.”

Gilbert's parents loved PledgeStar last year, and they loved it even more this year. “Families could easily import their information and contacts from the year before rather than re-entering everything,” says Mayes. “Families without email contacts appreciated the text pledge requests.”

PledgeStar was very user-friendly for Gilbert parents. “Parents only have to set up one account for multiple children so that grandparents wouldn’t get duplicate emails from each student,” says Mayes. “PledgeStar only sent a few messages to families. Registration wasn’t time-intensive, and we could direct families to PledgeStar to help them set up their accounts. PledgeStar was very reachable and supportive.”

By exceeding their goal, the PTSO fully funded their budget and still had money to donate toward school improvement projects. “It took the pressure off of us as a volunteer organization,” says Mayes. “When teachers ask us to fund a special project, we are able to do so. It’s really exciting for our executive board.”

Elaine Uehlein, parent council member at Anderson School in Bozeman, Montana, discovered PledgeStar two years ago and began using it to run the school’s annual Fun Run.

From the moment the event kicked off, the parent council was thrilled with PledgeStar’s ease of use—especially since their previous fundraiser, an annual gala, was not only complicated to plan but also time-consuming to manage. “There was less handling of funds with PledgeStar,” says Ms. Uehlein. “We wanted a single platform to handle all of the financials, and that’s what we got with PledgeStar. We were even able to manually handle checks.”

Anderson School’s Fun Run also proved to be wildly more lucrative by using PledgeStar when compared to the school’s gala event. “We raised about $50,000 both years we used PledgeStar,” Ms. Uehlein explains, “while we were only raising about $30,000 with the gala—which was also a lot more work.”

Even the best event only succeeds when the community participates, and Ms. Uehlein credits PledgeStar’s communication element to the Fun Run’s success: “With the ability to text and email friends and family with PledgeStar, we felt like we were getting a much bigger reach than just sending home flyers like we did in the past,” she says. Anderson School also motivated the students to fundraise by offering amazing prizes for top earners, which remained on display at school throughout the fundraiser.

“We worked really hard to find prizes that appealed to all ages,” says Ms. Uehlein, who also explains that some of the most sought-after prizes didn’t cost the parent council a dime. “Community members donated gift cards, and experiences such as ‘principal for the day’ was a huge draw,” she adds.

One prize got the kids more excited than any of the others. “The class that earned the most money got to pie our principal,” says Ms. Uehlein.

Anderson School is not only thrilled with the success of the Fun Run but also what the funds will provide to the small, 200-student school. “We have a lot of needs,” explains Ms. Uehlein. “Now, with these funds raised through PledgeStar, we are able to really help with purchasing curriculum, the music program, teacher classroom stipends, teacher holiday gifts, and guest speakers. We will also be able to maintain a healthy base for our budget in the coming years.”

Gilchrist Elementary, a Tallahassee, Florida, school with almost 1,000 students, switched to PledgeStar this year to manage their Great Grizzly Run. “Boosterthon kept almost 50%, so we wanted to try and do it ourselves so we could keep more of what we raised,” says Belinda Wise, Gilchrist PTO event chair. “Another school in our district, DeSoto Trail Elementary, recommended PledgeStar and even helped us with the event. Our goal was to raise $85,000, and we ended up with about $95,000.”

In addition to its minimal learning curve, Ms. Wise says she appreciated the straightforward nature of PledgeStar’s website. “We really liked that staff and parents could see the leaderboard, how much we were raising and keeping, why we were fundraising, and what prizes the kids could win,” she says. “It was easy for our school’s families to set up their own accounts, and we loved having everyone on the same page.”

Making changes can be challenging, but any concerns from Gilchrist administration about switching platforms were alleviated once the PTO thoroughly explained the benefits of partnering with PledgeStar. “After our initial presentation, the PTO and teachers were on board with switching to PledgeStar, but the principal was worried because this is our biggest fundraiser of the year and we really count on the money raised,” Ms. Wise shares. “Once we concluded the fundraiser with 20 percent more than we’d raised in previous years, those fears were cast aside and the board voted unanimously to continue using PledgeStar next year.”

In addition to its financial windfall, the Great Grizzly Run was an emotional success for Gilchrist students. After two weeks of fundraising via emails and texts sent through the PledgeStar website, the school concluded the program with the run itself–along with some very special guests. “Florida State University cheerleaders and softball players came to cheer on the kids while they ran, which they loved,” says Ms. Wise.

Students are typically motivated by rewards, but Gilchrist decided to prioritize putting money back into the school over purchasing expensive prizes. “The kids got to wear Crocs and socks to school when they hit a certain goal, and a PE coach shaved a paw print into his hair when they reached another,” says Ms. Wise. “But by far the highlight for the students was when our principal got slimed at the end of the fundraiser.”

The additional money raised by partnering with PledgeStar allowed Gilchrist Elementary to fund the majority of the school’s needs, rather than having to pick and choose. “We took 20 percent of what we raised and gave every teacher money for their classrooms,” says Ms. Wise. “We also used some of it for campus improvements on outdoor spaces that the staff requested such as fans for the carpool pickup area and picnic tables and benches throughout campus.”

In addition to the financial rewards of the partnership, what really set PledgeStar apart from other platforms for Gilchrist was the customer service. “Several times, my questions were answered immediately,” says Ms. Wise. “PledgeStar even reached out to one of our teachers directly to answer a question that I couldn’t.”

Gilchrist Elementary School is already sharing its positive experience with PledgeStar throughout the community. “We’ve recommended PledgeStar to another school in the area that was seeking a new fundraising platform,” Ms. Wise says. “It truly met all of our needs.”