Your donation:

• Connects learning from the classroom to the outside world, making academic concepts more concrete (field trips, guest speakers).

• Tailors reading, writing, and math skills to individual interests and classroom diversity (in-class libraries, games).

• Encourages creativity, critical thinking, and communication (special projects, Robotic Arm, school garden).

• Provides teachers with funds to set up their classrooms at the start of the year (decorations, favorite books, GoNoodle subscriptions).

• Supports our teachers. Without this resource, the teachers have to fund these materials themselves.

• Enables the PTO to create fun and educational community-building events like Coffee & Conversations, the Back to School picnic, and the Spring Carnival.

Yes! We ask families to make a family contribution of $100 per child but giving at any level is critical to the success of the enrichment programs at Ruffin Ridley. When families give back, they confirm their belief in Ruffin Ridley’s mission and demonstrate that our community values the education that our school provides.

In addition, if your family can contribute more than $100, we would be grateful. Why? Because Ruffin Ridley is a Title One school and a third of our students are on free or reduced lunch and may be unable to contribute to the Appeal at all. We ask that families who can give more, do give more.

Yes! Corporate matching gifts are a type of philanthropy in which companies financially match donations their employees make to nonprofit organizations. When you donate, simply request the matching gift from your employer, who then makes their donation. Companies usually match donations at a 1:1 ratio, but some will match at a 2:1, 3:1, or even a 4:1 ratio, so it's a great way to give back to the community! Companies can make their donation online or write a check to the "Coolidge Corner PTO" and drop off or mail to: FRR, 345 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446.

If you don’t know how your company’s match program works, contact your Human Resources department today!

Hi! My name is Lesley Thompson (she/her/hers), and I am the fundraising coordinator for the Annual Appeal and the Spring Carnival. My child is an 8th grader at Ruffin Ridley School.

I get it; no one likes fundraisers. However, last spring, at a PTO Coffee & Conversation, we learned from Dr. Linus J. Guillory Jr., Superintendent of Schools, that the town of Brookline has reduced the budget for all Brookline Schools, including Ruffin Ridley School. For our school to continue providing the same type and level of enrichment programs, we must find a way to compensate for the shortfall—this can be accomplished via the Annual Appeal.

I hope you will support our school, teachers & students by making your family contribution online today. If you have any questions, please email me. Thank you!

In addition to 100% participation in our Annual Appeal, members of the Ruffin Ridley community are encouraged to volunteer, source and donate items for our raffles and attend and participate fully in events and offerings throughout the year.

If your business can support our school via a financial gift or can donate items for our raffles, please email Lesley Thompson, the volunteer fundraising coordinator. We are excited to partner with you!