Why does OHRV PTC run this fundraiser?

This fundraiser helps OHRV PTC support important programs, materials, events, and campus improvements that benefit students at both Oakhills and Ridgeview throughout the school year. The PTC is a 100% volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports both school communities through classroom grants, campus improvements, library and literacy support, and community-building events.

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Why does a community like ours still need fundraising support?

Families sometimes assume that because Granite Bay is an affluent community, local schools are already fully funded for everything students need. In reality, California school funding does not work that way. All districts receive base funding, but additional state funding is tied in part to the percentage of students who qualify as low-income, English learners, or foster youth. Districts with higher percentages of those students receive more supplemental and concentration funding from the state.

That means schools in communities like ours may receive less of that additional funding, even though families still want strong programs, classroom resources, student enrichment, safety support, and campus improvements. Local fundraising helps bridge that gap and allows our school community to provide opportunities and resources that would not otherwise be possible.

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How much does the PTC need to raise?

The PTC works to raise approximately $100,000 each year to fund the basics that enhance students’ educational experience at Oakhills and Ridgeview.

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What does the money support?

PTC funds help support a wide range of programs, materials, events, and school needs, including:

• Assemblies, author visits, and student events

• Library books and literacy support

• Art, STEAM, music, and classroom materials

• PE equipment and grade-level enrichment items

• Support for Outdoor Education and student scholarships

• Safety-related needs and campus improvement projects

Examples of current and recent funding include:

• Events: Author Days and assemblies such as Box Out Bullying, Wild Things, and Mad Science; End-of-Year Field Day Fun; Nature Bowl; Character Awards

• Books & Supplies: New library books and library cards, art docent supplies and watercolor materials, STEAM and music class materials

• Safety: Crossing guard support

• All Ridgeview Students: Student planners

• TK/Kindergarten: Magazines and curriculum

• 1st Grade: Pianist for Patriotic Performance, PE equipment, art supplies

• 2nd Grade: Headphones

• 3rd Grade: Chapter books and GATE support materials

• 4th Grade: STEAM materials integrating science, art, and math

• 5th Grade: Materials for Colonial Day and treats for Field Day

• 6th Grade: Outdoor Education teacher stipends and student scholarships, microscopes, and Roman artifacts for the Ancient Rome unit

 

What has this fundraiser helped accomplish?

In 2024, contributions from the Jog-a-thon helped fund new basketball hoops at Ridgeview and begin the process of improving the playground at Oakhills, which we also used 2025 funds for.  School site improvement projects require multiple steps and coordination to ensure student safety, and the PTC continues to work with the District and school staff as those efforts move forward as swiftly as possible.

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Why does OHRV PTC use Boosterthon?

Boosterthon provides the fundraising platform and program structure for the event. Their tools help schools manage donation pages, tracking, reporting, prize progress, and family sharing in a more organized way.

For Oakhills & Ridgeview, Boosterthon has helped us run a large schoolwide fundraiser in a way that is manageable for families, staff, and volunteers while continuing to improve how much of the revenue stays dedicated to our schools.

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How does Boosterthon pricing work?

Boosterthon does not use one flat fee for every school. Their pricing varies based on the level of support a school chooses, ranging from lighter platform/support options to more fully supported event models.

That is important context, because general online searches often show the broader range of support models and percentages, which may not reflect the specific model a school is actually using.

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Why do some parents see higher Boosterthon percentages online?

If parents search online, they may find references to Boosterthon support models with higher revenue-sharing percentages. That is because Boosterthon offers different levels of support depending on how much help a school wants with planning, staffing, logistics, and event execution.

In other words, what someone may find online is not necessarily the model Oakhills & Ridgeview is using.

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What support model is OHRV PTC using?

When Oakhills & Ridgeview first launched this program three years ago, we started with a much more fully supported Boosterthon model while learning the system and building a volunteer process that worked for our schools.

With that model, we were only keeping 70% of the funds raised.  However, our intention and plan has always been incrementally reduce the level Boosterthon support each year, with our PTC volunteers taking on more of the planning and event production ourselves.

We have successfully executed our plan and are at Boosterthon’s minimum support model this year, keeping 90% of funds raised.

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Why does that matter?

Our fundraiser typically grosses approximately $150,000 to $180,000. By moving from the original 70% revenue model to the current 90% model, roughly $30,000 more stays dedicated to supporting Oakhills and Ridgeview compared with where we started.

That is a meaningful increase in the amount we are able to keep for students, programs, materials, and campus improvements.

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What is the PTC paying for now?

At our current support level, the PTC still uses Boosterthon’s fundraising platform and program tools, including donation pages, sharing tools, reporting, and prize tracking, while handling much more of the event planning and production ourselves.

This approach allows us to keep the parts of the program that work well while reducing outside costs over time.

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Why didn’t the PTC just start at the lowest-cost model?

When we first launched the fundraiser, the fuller support model helped us learn the program and establish a successful process. As our volunteers became more experienced, the PTC took on more of the work directly and reduced the paid support level year by year.

That gradual shift allowed us to keep improving the fundraiser while retaining more of the revenue for the schools.

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Why are there prizes or incentives?

The fundraiser is designed for elementary-aged students, so fun themes and small incentives help make it engaging and age-appropriate. The incentives are not the purpose of the fundraiser. They are simply one part of making the event fun while encouraging participation and school spirit.

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What do you hope students learn from the fundraiser?

We hope students see the fundraiser as an opportunity to take pride in their school, support their campus community, and understand that school programs and resources are strengthened when families work together to help.

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Is participation required?

No. Participation is completely voluntary, and families can choose the level and method of support that works best for them.

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What if our family does not want to participate through Boosterthon?

That is completely okay. Participation is voluntary, and families who prefer not to participate through the Boosterthon platform may still support OHRV PTC through direct donations or volunteering.

Direct donations can be made here: https://www.ohrvptc.com/donate-1

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Is OHRV PTC transparent about how funds are used?

Yes. OHRV PTC is a volunteer-run nonprofit committed to supporting both schools responsibly. The PTC shares information about what it funds, and parents who would like more detailed budget information can reach out to the PTC.

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Where can I learn more?

You can learn more about the OHRV PTC and what it supports on the PTC website, and families are always welcome to reach out to the PTC with additional questions.​