The Annual Fund is essential to the success of our PTA’s ability to fund school enrichment, curriculum and augmented staffing salaries to help create a supportive and engaging learning environment for our students. We only run one major fundraiser per year, and all of the money donated is dedicated to the next year's budget. The Annual Fund goal is set each year by the PTA board with guidance from the Treasurer and Fundraising Chair.
2026-2027 Decatur Growing Gators Campaign Starts October 12th!
Our two-week annual appeal runs from Monday, October 12th until Friday, October 23rd. This year, we aim to raise $100,000 for Decatur to support the following:
Highlights include:
- Grant for our Academic Interventionist salary from 0.4 to 1.0 FTE to back our classroom teachers and provide extra support to students who need it most.
- Grant for our Instrumental Music Teacher salary to increase from 0.1 to 0.2 FTE to ensure more 4th and 5th graders have the opportunity to learn an instrument. Without PTA funding, no 4th grader could.
- Classroom grants for all teachers, Art/PE/Library specialists, social worker, and academic interventionist to empower them to create the best learning environment for our students.
- Memorable field trips, such as the Woodland Park Zoo (2nd), Mount Rainier (3rd), Olympia (4th), and NatureBridge (5th), plus more!
- Expansion of our popular Drama Program to all grades (new this year), so more students can participate. Without PTA funding, students would not have this beloved tradition at all.
- School assemblies with special guests (e.g. Pacific Science Center) and community events, such as Bingo Night, Diwali, Neon Dance Party, Lunar New Year, Chess Tournament, Math Fair, Science Fair, and more! These events celebrate our school’s cultural diversity, student academic achievements, and build connections.
Please consider a donation of $500-$1,000 per student, but know that gifts of all sizes help us reach our goal.
We value your support at any amount that works for your family.
or mailed to our PO box address:
Donations may be eligible for company matching programs, please check with your employer to see if you can double (or triple) your donation! Click here for more information.
Thank you for your support of Decatur Elementary and our Growing Gators!
Why do PTAs/PTOs need to fundraise?
Washington State still doesn’t fully fund our schools. In McCleary v. State (2012), the Washington Supreme Court ruled that the state was breaking its constitutional “paramount duty” to fully fund basic education. Districts had been relying on local property tax levies to pay for basics like teacher salaries. In response, the state took on more of the cost and limited local levies. Yet, state funding still falls short, especially in Seattle:
- Seattle costs more. Due to the higher cost of living here, paying our teachers costs more, and the state doesn’t make up the difference.
- Basic operating costs keep rising. SPS, like every district, faces rising costs for insurance, utilities, and other basic services (including transportation), and state funding hasn’t kept pace.
- Education is a shrinking share of the state budget. K-12 has dropped from about 52% of the state’s general fund in 2019-21 to about 43% in 2025-27, even as costs rise.
- Special education is underfunded. Students with disabilities have a legal right to the services they need, but the state doesn’t cover the full cost. Statewide, more than $500 million in special education costs went unfunded in 2024–25. SPS has to fill its share of that gap out of its own budget.
The result is budget cuts that reduce programs and services for students and families. PTAs/PTOs fundraise to help fill those gaps. For more information, visit WA School Funding for an overview of the core issues from the Washington Association of School Administrators. Please contact your state legislators to support adequate funding!
Decatur PTA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID 82-0726731). Donations may be eligible for company matching programs and deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes as allowed by IRS regulations. Please consult with your tax advisor to determine tax deductibility of your gift.