Maple Street School Little Friends Campaign

What is the Little Friends Campaign?
The campaign is one of the ways the school funds our tuition assistance program. Every year Maple Street School, like most independent schools, asks parents, friends and community members to support the school with tax-deductible financial donations. But here's the difference: other schools raise funds to support operating costs, but 100% of the funds from our Little Friends Campaign goes directly to support our tuition assistance programs for need-based families.

What is the campaign’s goal?
We hope to raise $40,000 in our campaign.

Why does the school need more money if parents already pay tuition? Isn’t paying tuition enough?
Your tuition supports the day-to-day operation of our school: the books, the fingerpaint, the teachers, the electricity and water. But Maple Street School is so much more than that! At Maple Street, we value a diverse community and welcome students from different backgrounds. We understand the dilemma of affordability for families in the community and have implemented a program, supported 100% by our fundraising efforts, that provides reduced tuition for those who show need. As a supporter of the Maple Street mission, we hope that you understand the importance of our tuition assistance program and contribute to its success.

Why don't all the fish die when lightning hits the sea?
The lightning spreads out through the whole of the sea, so there's only enough electricity to give each fish a tiny electric shock, so small that it wouldn't even notice.

If Maple Street School meets its fundraising goal are we done with fundraising?
No. Our fundraising efforts support our tuition assistance program. If we raise more than our goal, we have more support to offer our community. That is, the more we raise, the more families we can help!

How does the school raise money besides asking parents?
Throughout the year, Maple Street hosts a series of events including the Carousel Party, Brooklyn Kids Rock, Bite of Brooklyn and auctions and raffles to fundraise. While some of these events are limited to the Maple Street community, we also host events that bring in support from Maple Street friends and from the larger community and city. We encourage parents to actively participate in all of our fundraising events but we also encourage them to get their families and friends involved as well to ease each family’s fundraising responsibility. Unlike most of these events, the Little Friends Campaign requires no ticket purchases, babysitters, or late nights at a weekday event; a simple online donation from you or one made in your name by loved ones and you’re done.

What is time?
It's a big shoelace of beads stretching into the distance and each bead is a little moment where we have done something that we remember - either fun, or silly, or sad.

Should I give to the Little Friends Campaign even if I feel like my gift is too small to make a difference?
YES! Every gift helps get us closer to our goal! Gifts start at just $25, although we hope that our families will give more or will bundle their gifts with those of friends and family to make a greater impact. In addition, many employers offer matching gift programs that can double or even triple the size of your gift! All gifts help us reach our goal of 100% parent participation.
At the bottom of the Campaign page, you can find list of participating companies.

Why is 100% Parent Participation a goal? Isn’t the financial goal the most important?
Parent participation is crucial to the success of the Little Friends Campaign. We are a cooperative school and participation is one of the expectations and joys of belonging to a coop! In addition, grant giving institutions look for evidence of community support when deciding whether or not to award funding. Parent participation in the Little Friends Campaign – at any giving level – is an important measure of community support for Maple Street and its mission.

Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes, all donations to the Little Friends Campaign are tax-deductible.

Can I use matching gifts for the Little Friends Campaign?
Yes! Matching gifts are a great way to double or triple your donation. Ask your employer’s personnel or human resources department for a matching gift form. Also, at the bottom of the Campaign page, you can find list of participating companies.

How can I help make the Little Friends Campaign a success?
We’re so glad you asked! First, make a donation today! Second, spread the word! Our campaign isn’t limited to our families; anyone can participate. We have tools available on our website to share the campaign with your family and friends via email, Facebook, and Twitter. A message from you with a link to our campaign is a powerful way to get out the message and help the Little Friends Campaign meet its goal!

How much does the sky weigh?
The sky weighs 14 pounds for every square inch on the earth's surface. That ends up being more than 11 billion billion pounds.

How can I make a contribution to the Little Friends Campaign?
Contributions can be made by check or online. Checks can be dropped off to the front desk at any time. Please note on the check that it is a contribution to the Little Friends Campaign. If you would like to make a donation online, there is a link to the Little Friends Campaign on the website at www.maplestreetschool.org