Projected with monthly giving: $20,300
The Fund for Instructional Aides
The Fund for Instructional Aides supports critical classroom aides and student-facing teaching roles. We ask that families set up monthly giving at the beginning of the school year or make their annual gift at a time that is convenient for them. ​
What is the fund?
In Spring 2025, CCUSD reduced the funding for all of the district's schools for the upcoming school year. Budget fluctuations can be a normal part of publicly-funded education. Thanks to your contributions in the Spring, you made it possible for the Fund to provide an aide dedicated to each grade this year.
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The Fund for Instructional Aides was created to ensure that Linwood Howe can continue to provide the best learning environment possible to our students regardless of state and district budget fluctuations. We are fundraising now to ensure our students have aides next year.​
What do aides do?
Lin Howe instructional aides provide vital assistance to both teachers and students by helping create a positive, organized, and effective learning environment. They work alongside classroom teachers as their right hand to reinforce lesson concepts and assist small groups or individual students who need extra help or acceleration based on data provided by our schoolwide assessment, IReady. Classroom ratios can be large in public schools at times with groups ranging from 25-30 students. The aides provide teachers with classroom management to keep students engaged, on task and learning. Additionally, they supervise during non-classroom times such as recess or lunch, and provide targeted academic or behavioral support. Their role ensures that students receive more individualized attention and that teachers have the assistance they need to focus on delivering high-quality instruction.
Gratitude Giveaway
Every student benefits from your donation. We know a heartfelt 'thank you' is enough for our amazing families and friends but sometimes it is fun to make it a little special.
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Every month, we will draw a name from the list of donors to win a fun prize. Any donation whether monthly or one-time or $15 or $500 will have a chance to win. Donating early in the year means you will have more chances to get an extra dose of gratitude.
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Examples of prizes: PE coach for the day, your message on the school marquee, gift certificate to a local business, extra recess for your child's class, and more!
OCTOBER PRIZE:
YOUR MESSAGE ON THE MARQUEE!
FAQs
What about the PTA? Why can't they fund this?
Culver City Council of PTA does not permit school PTAs to fundraise for instructional aides. Our PTA fills the gap for a very large portion of enrichment programming like the educational software and resources preferred by teachers, cultural and developmental assemblies, the annual end-of-year field trips, and much more.
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Is CCEF still involved?
​We are very lucky that CCEF will partner with us again. This year, CCEF will be our fiscal sponsor only. This means that they will be our bank account to receive the donations made on the BetterWorld platform and then distribute the money to CCUSD for our aides. The costs of starting and running a booster club are $6000-9000 so we are grateful that CCEF is continuing to support Linwood Howe in this unique way.
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What is the length of monthly donations?
The campaign ends automatically on June 30, 2026. Monthly donations are recurring, starting on the date you set up your first donation. They will stop automatically after the June 2026 donation.
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How do I apply for matching gifts?
Step 1: Make a donation via our website. You will receive a confirmation email.
If you prefer to donate via check, you can fill out this form and drop off it off with the check at Lin Howe.
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Step 2: Apply for matching gifts with your company selecting "Culver City Education Foundation" (or CCEF). Include a note or designation that it is for Lin Howe - include Fund for Instructional Aides if space permits. CCEF's Tax ID is 95-3641300.
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Note: Every company's matching gift program is different. Some will cover the whole amount including credit card transaction fees while others only match the donation amount we receive (the part minus the credit card transaction fees). Please note whether you included or deducted credit card transaction fees before applying for your match.
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Didn't we give last year for this year?
Yes, Linwood Howe had to do an emergency fundraiser in the spring to have the money available to hire aides for this academic year (2025-26)​. We would like to stay out of emergency mode and enter the spring with the adequate funding necessary to cover projected costs and any budget changes. We also heard from many families that a second large donation was financially difficult. Opening the Fund at the beginning of the year allows us to offer smaller monthly giving as a donation option.
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Who sees who gave?
Similar to Raise Craze, the Fund is run by a small parent group. We use BetterWorld, a 3rd party platform, to receive donations and protect privacy. The small parent group will receive a list of donors, associated student and grade. The donation amount will only be visible to the one parent directly managing the Fund and to CCEF who is our fiscal sponsor. This information will only be used to gauge participation numbers and for the giveaways. No information will be shared with the school administration, teachers or other parents.
Support the Fund
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Do you want to help fundraise for Linwood Howe? No experience is required.
Have more questions? Ideas?
Contact: LHSeaDragons@gmail.com