Friends of Renton Schools raises $167k for district

Published 10:34 am Thursday, May 2, 2013

The fourth annual Friends of Renton Schools breakfast raised more than $167,000 for the school district on Monday.

Breakfast donations totaled $28,000 and event sponsors previously contributed more than $139,000. Pam Teal, chair of the nonprofit foundation, said this year’s total amount raised four months into the year already surpasses the same benchmark last year. From January to June last year, Friends of Renton Schools raised $11,000 in addition to breakfast-event funds at that point in the year. As of April 30 this year, the group has raised $11,500.

“While, of course, I’m disappointed that we didn’t make as much money as last year, I’m ecstatic that we’re growing in many ways,” said Teal.

Last year the same event raised more than $190,000.Teal indicated the foundation’s year-round funding efforts are the reason for this year’s successful fundraising. The group has grown in the last three years from holding just one fundraiser to becoming a foundation, she said.

It’s exciting; I’m excited,” Teal said. “I really think we’re working as a foundation and I’m pleased with that.”

The nonprofit emphasized the partnerships with businesses and community groups that have been forged this year at the breakfast. Contributions have come from The Landing, restaurant Wild Fin, the Seattle Seahawks and Union Bank, to name just a few of those listed in the breakfast program.

Also new this year was a program in which Renton School District staff could elect to contribute portions of their payback back to the foundation.

“The breakfast was a great celebration of our partners,” said Teal.

She sees it continuing to be that way in the future.

“We’re just one more organization out there, targeting money for successful programs into the classroom,” she said.