Student Fundraising

Rationale

Student-led philanthropy, including fundraising or collections of goods on behalf of a charitable organization, is a worthwhile pursuit linked to The Overlake School’s mission to champion students and their vast potential through engaging educational experiences in a diverse and inclusive community. Student-driven philanthropic efforts have the potential to assist the recipient organization as well as provide powerful learning experiences for the students who are organizing, leading, and contributing to the effort. Fundraising activities that are most meaningful and responsible consider the mission of the organization and how it aligns with the mission of the school. In addition, successful fundraising activities include clear and timely communication with student donors about the purpose, process, and value or impact of their contributions.

Review & Approval

The review and approval process for student fundraising, overseen by the Student Philanthropy Council, is objective, consistent and open to all established groups such as clubs, teams, homerooms, or individuals who (working with a faculty staff or advisor) form a team for a specific philanthropic purpose. Individual students will not be permitted to fundraise, but may collect objects on campus or through the school’s publications for their personal efforts such as Scouts projects or Bar and Bat Mitzvah projects. These students must go through the same required application and approval process as groups.

The review and approval process will also facilitate scheduling for multiple student-led fundraisers that span the semester or school year to avoid competing interests with one another or the broader fundraising efforts of our Development Department at Overlake. Suggestions or strategies for avoiding donor fatigue or scheduling will be recommended in these cases.

There are certain philanthropic activities that are institutional and will not need to be approved by the Student Philanthropy Council. These groups may change over time, but currently they are the Student Benefit Concert and the Global Service Program. However, the student leaders of these philanthropic efforts still need to communicate with the Student Philanthropy Council so that their activities are included in the fundraising calendar.

The Application Process

Requirements

  • The application must be coordinated and submitted by an established campus group that is supervised by a faculty or staff member. Individuals conducting collections must have a faculty or staff advisor as well.
  • The fundraising effort must be on behalf of a registered 501(c)(3) federally tax-exempt, charitable organization in the United States.
  • All activities must be conducted by students, not parents.
  • Student account charges may not exceed $5 per philanthropic activity.
  • The application must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the proposed philanthropic activity.

Application:

Complete the online application form. The following information must be organized prior to application submission:

  • Name of the group, student contact, and advisor
  • Name of the non-profit the activity will support
  • Brief description of the non-profit’s mission and how it aligns with The Overlake School mission

Student Resources

Students, please to view and submit service hours, or go directly to your dashboard at MyOverlake to view all student-specific content.

Contact

Laura Brown
Assistant Director of Experiential Education 
lbrown@overlake.org
425-602-7058