Exploris Annual Fund

Hello! We are so glad you are part of the Exploris family. Now that the new school year is underway, we are launching our Annual Fund. This drive helps cover the cost of running our school. We rely on each of you to make it successful!

Just the facts: We need to raise $100,000. We are asking every family to donate as generously as possible.

What can you do right now?

You can make a one time or monthly donation here: Annual Fund, or send a check in to The Exploris School (memo: Annual Fund).

There are 3 main fundraising drives at Exploris:

New families will be asked to donate to the Capital Campaign AND the Annual Fund. This year, returning families who have already donated to the Capital Campaign (thank you!!) will only be asked to donate to the Annual Fund. Alumni are always invited to donate to the Capital Campaign. All families have an opportunity to donate to or participate in PTO fundraisers.

Why do we need to raise money?

Charter schools do not receive the same funding that traditional public schools receive. In fact, in North Carolina, charter schools do not receive ANY money to cover building costs, because charter schools are not able to access the local bonds that WCPSS uses to pay for their facilities. As a result, Exploris must cover the cost of our buildings through our instructional funds. While this is true of all charter schools, our downtown location makes our rent even higher than a suburban location. At the same time, we believe our downtown locale offers invaluable and unique opportunities for student growth, service, and partnership with nearby organizations. Exploris spends around $360,000 a year on facilities, which is almost 11% of our annual expenditures. To cover this cost, we innovate, we sacrifice, and we fundraise…which is where you come in.

How much do we need to raise?

We need to raise $100,000 to support the 2019-20 operating budget. Want to see this year’s budget? It’s posted here: Budget 2019-2020

But what about the Capital Campaign?

The Capital Campaign funds are in a completely separate account for our future building. We can’t touch those funds to cover this year’s operating costs. Want to donate to the Capital Campaign as well? You can do that here: Capital Campaign

What about the silent auction we have in the spring? The Art by Me fundraiser?

Those specifically fund the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), which supports the teachers, students, and families. You can see how they spend their funds here: PTO

Are there other ways that charter schools are funded?

In North Carolina, it’s harder than many other states (see image below comparing NC charter schools facilities funding to other states). We are always searching for and applying for grants to help offset costs.

Source – : http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2019/07/charter-school-facilities-state-funding-policies.html

We are also actively pursuing grant opportunities. For example, this year Exploris won a 5-year, $600,000 grant. However, those funds can only be used to better meet the needs of traditionally underserved students—those who are economically disadvantaged, homeless or unaccompanied youth, non-native English speakers and students with disabilities. As such, they cannot be used to pay rent, etc.

How much money should I donate?

As much as you are willing and able to give. We know that there are many charitable organizations at home and abroad that are doing amazing work and that how you spend your money is a deeply personal choice. We would love it if you would make Exploris one of your top 3 charities! If everyone gave $220/student, we would meet our goal. However, that’s unrealistic for every family. We generally need donations to look like this:

$5000 (2 families) or $625 per month for 8 months
$2000 (25 families) or $250 per month
$1000 (25 families) or $125 per month
$500 (25 families) or $62.50 per month
$250 (25 families) or $31.25 per month
$100 (40 families) or $12.50 per month
$50 (10 families) or $6.25 per month
$20 (30 families) or $2.50 per month

I simply can’t afford to donate.

We understand that not everyone is in a financial position to donate, and that’s okay. We want an economically diverse school! We strive for 100% participation, regardless of how much you give. The percentage of families that participate is a tangible demonstration of how invested our parents are in our school, and this data strengthens our position when we seek corporate involvement and apply for grants.

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Absolutely, and you will receive written recognition of your gift that can be used for tax purposes. We also welcome donations from extended families, including grandparents. Individuals over age 70 ½ who are required to take minimum distributions from retirement accounts can direct up to $100,000 directly to a charity. The donation is not deductible but also does not have to be recognized as income. (Anyone donating should consult with their tax professional for full details.)

Can I donate stocks instead of cash?

You can! Please contact Kimberly Harris at annualfund@exploris.org for details.

Can my company match my donation?

YES PLEASE. Many companies have a corporate gift matching policies. They require the donor (you) to request a match, but this typically only takes 5 minutes. For example, SAS, Lenovo (up to $250), and Verizon (up to $5000!!) will match your donation 1:1, which essentially doubles your donation amount. Need help navigating corporate matching? Contact Kimberly Harris at annualfund@exploris.org.

Are you going to ask me for money every single year?

Yes, we are going to ask every family to contribute every year. That is the reality of charter schools.

Why support Exploris?

There are so many reasons! Here are a few:

Highlights of School Accolades

US Department of Education Green Ribbon Award Winner
Design for Change National Winner
NC Model STEM School of Distinction – 1st school designated in the state
Honor School of Excellence Recipient
Exceeds state and national norms in both student achievement and annual growth for reading and math

Teacher Accolades