Boosterthon Case Study: How a California Elementary School Profited $100K in 3 Years

Before they partnered with Boosterthon in 2014, Antelope Hills Elementary in Murrieta, California was just like any other school—they couldn’t find a fundraiser that was hassle-free for their PTA and consistently worked. And they tried it all: They held raffles, put on bake sales, sold products, and organized a few jog-a-thons and a dance-a-thon of their own.

But after their PTA and school district changed some of its guidelines in 2012, it became difficult to do the raffles and bake sales.

The year before they reached out to Boosterthon, they put on an unsuccessful dance-a-thon and were unable to fund their budget. Liz Straight, an active PTA member since 2008 and current PTA President since 2015, remembers it vividly.

“It was the hardest thing to do. We had to tell teachers and parents that programs would have to be cut and student support wasn’t possible,” said Liz.

“It was the hardest thing to do. We had to tell teachers and parents that programs would have to be cut and student support wasn’t possible."

This was the catalyst for Liz. She knew they needed school fundraisers that they could rely on. A fundraiser that consistently delivered results and completely funded their budget. The stakes were simply too high.

“I have often shared with schools who are considering partnering with Boosterthon the difficulty in having to face a year with virtually no funding. At the elementary school level, the PTA is the main provider of programs, support, and events—things like art, science, assemblies, and field trips. Without the crucial funding, those programs cease to exist.”

But things started to change when Antelope Hills partnered with Boosterthon in 2014. In their first year, they raised close to $29,000 through the Boosterthon program. The following year they raised $37,000 and this past year, around $41,000. Overall, Boosterthon has helped Antelope Hills Elementary raise over $100,000 and increased funding each year for 3 years.

Overall, Boosterthon has helped Antelope Hills Elementary raise over $100,000 and increased funding each year for 3 years.

What has this funding done for their school? For the campus, they were able to provide

• Murals
• Safety gear
• Shades for their multi-purpose room
• New playground equipment (hula hoops, balls, balance boards, etc.).

With Boosterthon funds, Antelope Hills Elementary purchased this mural for their school.

Antelope Hills Elementary principal, Preston Fairchild, touched on even greater benefits from using Boosterthon.

“Boosterthon has been a huge success for our school these past three years. Our PTA has been able to raise enough money each year to provide lots of great events and activities. Plus, we’re now able to provide the highest per-student support in the district,” said Preston.

"We’re now able to provide the highest per-student support in the district."

It’s true. AHES students now receive the highest amount of student support in the district—$20 per student. These funds go toward

• Classroom supplies
• Field trips
• Art Night
• Star Night
• Movie Nights
• Festivals
• Dances

All of which are supported by the funds they raised with Boosterthon.

Equipped with a fully-funded budget, the school was also able to launch an after-school enrichment program with the help of the local high school and community volunteers. They offered a myriad of classes for students, including

• Karate
• CPR
• Art
• Science
• Dance
• Cheer
• Basketball

Several hundred students enrolled in the program and attended one day a week for a month.

Another Antelope Hills mural purchased with Boosterthon funds.

Not only that, with their Boosterthon funds AHES started their very own WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) program. This school-based, father-involvement program brings positive male role models on campus to help with everything from crossing duty, playground and lunch monitoring, extra hands at our events, and helping in classrooms.

But in addition to delivering consistently stellar financial results, Liz loves Boosterthon’s focus on leadership and character.

“Our goal with using Boosterthon is to raise the funds needed to continue to provide our students with the most opportunities we can in terms of support, programs, and events. It’s key that our fundraising partner also emphasizes good character and other positive traits. It’s one of our big focuses at Antelope Hills,” said Liz.

When asked why AHES continues to partner with Boosterthon, Liz had this to say:

“We continue to partner with Boosterthon because it works for us."

“We continue to partner with Boosterthon because it works for us. We’ve been fortunate to increase our funding each year, and hope to continue to do so. The Boosterthon teams are wonderful with the students, very accommodating to our staff, and honor our requests to keep disruption to school life as minimal as possible. The kids absolutely love them, and they’re treated like celebrities while here. We’ve never had an issue with things not being taken care of, and all the Boosterthon team members are so positive and energetic while on campus.”

Principal Preston Fairchild agrees.

"The whole package has been more than we could have hoped for from any fundraiser."

"The Boosterthon team has been great each year in motivating and supporting the students. From the communication to the character lessons to the actual event, the whole package has been more than we could have hoped for from any fundraiser,” he said.