The Meredith Home & School Association (HSA) is excited to kick off this year’s Annual Giving Campaign with the theme Meredith Magic! This year-long fundraising theme helps to inspire our initiatives and collaborations throughout the school year.
Meredith Magic is made every day through the contributions of staff, families, community members, and events that altogether create something truly special.
To provide our beloved school with all it needs to remain the best in the city, our goal is to raise at least $156,000 this academic year.
This will help to fund critical school needs including:
- Support staff salaries
- The performing arts program
- Academic materials and technology improvements
- School traditions & events
- School improvement and beautification
- Staff and family appreciation
Why Should You Give?
Meredith continues to be one of the best schools in Philadelphia – and for good reason. We have amazing teachers, leadership, and families that make up our community.
Many of us moved to this catchment specifically so our children could go to Meredith. It’s important that we all understand what it takes to put Meredith in a great financial position.
While most Philadelphia schools receive Title I funding, Meredith is not eligible, missing out on approximately $200,000 of funding per year. As a result, we have a sizable gap between current funding and what Meredith needs to operate optimally.
We need YOUR help to bridge that gap!
How Much Should You Give?
This year the suggested donation per student is $250. We understand every family has different capacities, and we appreciate any amount you’re able to contribute. Every single dollar donated will be put to good use.
Our main focus is 100% participation, no matter the amount you give – to show our teachers, scholars, staff, and the entire Meredith community that we support them 100%!
How To Donate
Donations can be made online on our secure Give Lively fundraising page. You may give one lump sum, in monthly installments or periodically throughout the year.
If you prefer, you may pay via check made payable to “Meredith Home & School Association” with the memo “Annual Giving Campaign” and mail it to: Meredith HSA, 725 S. 5th Street, Phila., PA 19147.
What Does the Meredith School Fund Support?
The Meredith School Fund is a singular fund used to help close the gap between the school’s budget and available public school funding. Our budget and actuals can be found here on the Meredith Matters website. This page will be updated monthly, and shared with context in our monthly HSA Community Meetings.
- School Staffing: (42%) We pay for much needed support staff to help our kids in the classroom and to keep them safe during lunch and recess.
- Performing Arts: (19%) Meredith has long been known for its performing arts program. The HSA funds all the things needed to produce the inclusive, heartwarming Winter Show and spectacular Spring Musical each year, including stipends for the director and choreographer, license for the spring show, sets, props, costumes and theater tech support/improvements.
- Beloved Meredith events and traditions: (7%) We cover costs for Harvest Feast and Play Day. We also provide breakfast to the amazing community members who help our children dream big on career day, an expert to facilitate the science fair, and breakfast at our monthly HSA Community Meetings.
- Academic and Principal Requested Support: (11%) The HSA works to supplement classroom needs beyond grants and the school district budget. Part of this comes from the Scholastic Book Fair, which goes directly back to classroom and library materials. We also pay for the software used in the library, spelling bee prizes, 8th grade awards, and fulfill requests from Principal Brevard as they come in.
- Facilities Improvements and Beautification: (2%) To help keep school looking its best, since it IS the best, we work with the Beautification Committee to cover costs that exceed grants, and facilitate the disbursement of grants received.
- Staff and Family Appreciation: (3%) Our teachers, administration, staff and families go above and beyond to contribute to Meredith Magic. We try to show faculty and staff our appreciation throughout the year through special meals and treats. We also support family appreciation and engagement through back to school events, community coffee, spring cleanup day, and more.
- School Store Supplies: While proceeds from the school store support Meredith and flow directly into the Meredith School Fund, the uniform shirts and spirit gear we offer need to be sourced. We do so with an eye on savings to keep prices affordable for our families.
- Fundraising Expenses: (8-11%) Our goal is always to keep our fundraising costs as low as possible via in-kind donations. We work hard to bring you memorable, inspiring fundraising events with the lowest overhead.
- Administrative Expenses: (5%) We strive to keep our administrative costs low in order to direct as much funding as possible to school. We are actively working to consolidate systems for greater efficiency to lower this cost even more.
What Else Should I Know?
- Our fundraising efforts are dedicated to helping Meredith remain the best elementary school in the city of Philadelphia!
- We remain committed to being specific with the needs of the school each year and transparent about where the funds are being spent.
- We have set clear fundraising goals to balance this year’s budget – and hopefully put us ahead of the needs for next school year.
- You may give the way that works best for you. That can be one lump sum, monthly payments, or as you’re able.
- Your donation is 100% tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please find our Tax ID at the bottom of this page and reach out if you need and have not received a receipt for tax purposes.
- Some employers will match your donation to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations like the Meredith HSA – please check to see if your employer will match your donation so you can maximize your impact!
Since the start of the 2024-25 academic year, all giving and fundraising initiatives have been streamlined into a single fund – the Meredith School Fund. This provides the maximum flexibility to answer the current needs of the school and provide the biggest impact with your generous contribution. This was a change from previous years where multiple giving campaigns supported specific needs.
In the rare instance when a fundraising campaign funds a specific initiative, we will make that clear. Examples of this include CHOP Pajama Day, where 100% of proceeds go directly to CHOP, and Pretzel Sales, which fund the 8th Grade graduation celebrations and year-end activities.
Questions?
If you have questions related to fundraising, including how best to give, where funds are allocated, or anything else, please reach out to us at meredithhomeandschool@gmail.com.
The William M. Meredith Home and School Association is an IRS registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; your donation is tax deductible.
The William M. Meredith Home and School Association Tax ID is 45-3558264.