Direct donation faqs
What is the suggested donation amount?
This year, we request a donation of $450 for the first student plus $150 per additional student at West Valley.
What is the deadline for donating?
The 2018 Direct Donation Campaign will run from Monday, February 26th through Friday, April 6th. Contributions are requested as early in the campaign as possible, as they help us with planning and budgeting for the following year. We do accept donations at any time throughout the school year.
How do I make a donation?
Online donations and payment plans can be arranged by clicking on the “Donate Now” button. You may also donate by check payable to West Valley Parent Teacher Organization (WVPTO). Please leave the check in the WVPTO mailbox in the school office, along with a completed contribution form, or mail it to:
WVPTO, P.O. Box 2023, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
This year, we request a donation of $450 for the first student plus $150 per additional student at West Valley.
What is the deadline for donating?
The 2018 Direct Donation Campaign will run from Monday, February 26th through Friday, April 6th. Contributions are requested as early in the campaign as possible, as they help us with planning and budgeting for the following year. We do accept donations at any time throughout the school year.
How do I make a donation?
Online donations and payment plans can be arranged by clicking on the “Donate Now” button. You may also donate by check payable to West Valley Parent Teacher Organization (WVPTO). Please leave the check in the WVPTO mailbox in the school office, along with a completed contribution form, or mail it to:
WVPTO, P.O. Box 2023, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
How are donations used?
Funds raised by this direct ask campaign will be used to support approximately half of the WVPTO budget for the upcoming school year. Money raised during last year's campaign was used to help fund the following for the 2017-2018 school year:
Public school is supposed to be free. Why am I being asked to pay?
Public funding barely covers rising expenses and mandated programs. Without parent organization funding, many of the programs that enrich our children’s curriculum would not be possible. The Cupertino Union School District has been severely impacted by California’s budget crisis. The programs funded directly by parent contributions are what will bridge the gap and keep our schools performing at a level we are proud of and have come to expect.
I cannot afford the suggested donation amount. What should I do?
We would like for you to contribute what is comfortable for you. Every donation makes a difference. It is the hundreds of individual donations that collectively add up to the grand total raised each year. We strive for 100% participation. A variety of payment plan options are also available via PayPal to help spread out the cost.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes, your donation is tax deductible (to the extent allowed by law). The West Valley Parent Teacher Organization (WVPTO) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. No goods or services are provided in return for your contribution. WVPTO Tax ID# 46-5663137.
Will I receive a receipt?
Yes, receipts will be sent to the email address provided for all donors who make contributions to WVPTO. Please be sure to keep a copy for tax purposes. If a recurring payment option was selected, a receipt will be sent after all payments have been received.
What is the difference between Operating and Endowment Accounts on the donor form?
The Operating Account is where funding for the next school year is drawn. Money contributed to this account will directly impact your child next year. The Endowment Account has been set up to be a long term funding solution for our school. The goal of the endowment account is to be able to use 80% of the interest each year to fund the resources and enrichment programs at our school, while re-investing 20% to keep the fund growing. Unfortunately, at this time, the endowment account is not large enough for this to be a viable resource.
I have additional questions. Who can I contact?
You can contact our Direct Donation Drive Coordinator, Marissa Levy, via Konstella or the WVPTO Board.
Funds raised by this direct ask campaign will be used to support approximately half of the WVPTO budget for the upcoming school year. Money raised during last year's campaign was used to help fund the following for the 2017-2018 school year:
- Three Classroom Instructional Aides - $53,000
- K-5 Art Program (including a certified art teacher hired exclusively for West Valley, various art materials and an upcoming ceramics show to display students’ artwork) - $34,000
- K-3 Music Program through the Community School for Music and Art (CUSD pays for 4-5 Music Program) - $21,000
- Materials and equipment to improve and maintain our Creative Lab (C-Lab) - $15,000
- Additional hours for our Technology Media Specialist (Tech Support & C-Lab Instruction) and Technology Infrastructure - $47,000
- Additional hours for our Librarian, library books and new classroom libraries - $50,000
- Reading & Math Intervention Materials - $19,000
- Student enrichment programs such as Project Cornerstone, Running Club and Valet
- Community events such as Family Science Night, Multicultural Night and Movie Nights
- Special events such as Author Assemblies and Eclipse Viewing Glasses
- And so much more!!!
Public school is supposed to be free. Why am I being asked to pay?
Public funding barely covers rising expenses and mandated programs. Without parent organization funding, many of the programs that enrich our children’s curriculum would not be possible. The Cupertino Union School District has been severely impacted by California’s budget crisis. The programs funded directly by parent contributions are what will bridge the gap and keep our schools performing at a level we are proud of and have come to expect.
I cannot afford the suggested donation amount. What should I do?
We would like for you to contribute what is comfortable for you. Every donation makes a difference. It is the hundreds of individual donations that collectively add up to the grand total raised each year. We strive for 100% participation. A variety of payment plan options are also available via PayPal to help spread out the cost.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes, your donation is tax deductible (to the extent allowed by law). The West Valley Parent Teacher Organization (WVPTO) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. No goods or services are provided in return for your contribution. WVPTO Tax ID# 46-5663137.
Will I receive a receipt?
Yes, receipts will be sent to the email address provided for all donors who make contributions to WVPTO. Please be sure to keep a copy for tax purposes. If a recurring payment option was selected, a receipt will be sent after all payments have been received.
What is the difference between Operating and Endowment Accounts on the donor form?
The Operating Account is where funding for the next school year is drawn. Money contributed to this account will directly impact your child next year. The Endowment Account has been set up to be a long term funding solution for our school. The goal of the endowment account is to be able to use 80% of the interest each year to fund the resources and enrichment programs at our school, while re-investing 20% to keep the fund growing. Unfortunately, at this time, the endowment account is not large enough for this to be a viable resource.
I have additional questions. Who can I contact?
You can contact our Direct Donation Drive Coordinator, Marissa Levy, via Konstella or the WVPTO Board.