Boosterthon

4/15/2026 11:21 pm

Dear Orange Hunt Elementary School Community:

We’d like share what the PTA does, how we raise money, and how those funds help our school.

What does the PTA do?

The OHES PTA works to support every child by partnering with families and the school. This year the PTA planned about $58,000 in spending as follows:

image of pie chart of pta budget

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • School Curriculum & Supplies: Buses for field trips, school assemblies, teacher mini-grants, classroom supply reimbursement, curriculum purchases for each grade and specials area
  • School & Community Support: Spelling Bee, Science Fair, Safety Patrol, the News Team, Pyramid Challenge, Hospitality Events for Staff, and more.
  • Activities: Free events like Laternenfest, Silvester, Spring Fest, and the Bike Event, etc.
  • Operating Expenses: Printing, insurance, and website costs
  • Capital Enhancements: Larger investments. Historic capital enhancements have included water bottle filling stations, playground equipment and shade, and the track.

In addition to these activities the PTA also regularly organizes the Lost & Found and coordinates After School Clubs. 

How does the PTA raise money and why Boosterthon?

All PTA funding comes from fundraising. Historically, our largest fundraisers were the Fall Festival and an “Arm Chair” Fundraiser (giving without sales or an event). We also raise money through spirit wear sales, restaurant nights, bingo, and dance-a-thon.

From 2020 to 2024 income for the PTA ranged from just under $7,000 to over $26,000. Over time, donations to the Arm Chair fundraiser decreased and costs of supporting the school and events increased. The school administration and the PTA identified Boosterthon as an avenue to generate more funding for Orange Hunt.

A small group of about 15-20 very dedicated parents do a majority of the fundraising, event planning, and event execution for all of the PTA events outlined above. Boosterthon provides an opportunity for large fundraising with less volunteer requirements. With Boosterthon last year, the PTA income was $54,000.

What is Boosterthon?

Boosterthon is a company that organizes fundraisers, primarily for elementary schools. They provide a platform to collect donations, incentives to encourage participation, educational content, development of advertising materials, and staff who support the event including a DJ and other materials. The Boosterthon offers various levels of support depending on how much the school/PTA can run themselves. Orange Hunt is utilizing a mid-level of support from Boosterthon because we do not have sufficient volunteers to use their low-level support option. The higher the support, the more Boosterthon receives from fundraising.  The mid-level support costs are broken down as follows:  $2000 base cost, 15% platform fee (donors can cover this cost), and 30% service fee (up to $70k in donations; no fee on money beyond $70k).

This year’s Boosterthon will be held on Friday, April 24th. Students will run laps on the field during the school day. The laps are relatively small, and most students complete all of them. Students run in groups organized by grade. It is a festive event with music and lots of positive encouragement.

How was last year’s Boosterthon money used by the PTA?

The funds received from Boosterthon were split equally between the OHES PTA and the school. The PTA received about $27,600 from last year’s Boosterthon. That money funded two capital enhancements:

  • Installation of a track at the school ($7750; additional funding provided by the school)
  • Purchase and building instrument storage racks ($677.73)

The money also funded traditional PTA activities PLUS the following:

  • Reduced fees for the Fall Festival and Dance-a-thon
  • Increased classroom supply reimbursement of $100 (an increase from $80)
  • Increased funding for mini-grants
  • Increased funding for staff hospitality
  • Increased funding for assemblies

Please note that the playground shade was purchased from prior year fundraising efforts. The project was identified in the 2021-2022 school year and it took 3 years of fundraising to purchase the shade. Boosterthon money was not used for the playground shade. The location of the shade was guided by FCPS policy.

How will this year’s Boosterthon money be used?

Boosterthon funds will be split evenly between the PTA and the school. The PTA will use the funds for regular PTA programs for the remainder of this school year and for next school year. Depending on the amount raised, additional capital enhancements may be pursued such as replacing the welcome mats at entrances, replacing the owl mascot costume, adding murals or mosaics in the school, and expanding the band and strings program.

How can you be involved?

The PTA publishes all of our budget plans on the website; monthly treasurer's reports showing actual income and expenses are also presented at PTA meetings and posted online. PTA meeting minutes are also available. Ideas for capital enhancements are solicited in the spring and summer with feedback from the membership in the fall.

To make the PTA successful we need your involvement. Ideas are great but showing up and doing the work is what ultimately matters. Upcoming volunteer opportunities include:

Contact president@orangehuntpta.org if you are interested in any of the volunteer opportunities that do not have sign up links.

We hope you will contribute to the fundraising efforts of the PTA and consider volunteering some of your time to PTA events. Beyond Boosterthon, donations to the PTA are always welcome (after logging in)

Thank you for being a part of our school community!