Rising Together Fundraising Toolkit

May 6, 2025
Fundraising toolkit

Thank you for your partnership and support of Aspire! We’ve put together this toolkit with ideas and sample language that you can use to help close the gap in Aspire’s funding caused by recent AmeriCorps cuts. We need the support of our community to be able to continue providing vital educational programming to students, and we’re so grateful for your support.

If you have any questions as you get started, please contact Aspire’s Communications and Development Manager at maggie@aspireafterschool.org. 

Who is Aspire?

Aspire Afterschool Learning is a nonprofit in Arlington, Virginia that provides comprehensive no-cost afterschool and summer learning programming to historically underserved 3rd-8th grade students and their families. For over 30 years, we have supported and connected families, schools, and communities.

Aspire’s info and handles:

What’s happening?

DOGE recently cut over 40% of all AmeriCorps programs for the current year, impacting 1,000+ organizations and 30,000+ AmeriCorps members nationwide. 

On April 28th, Aspire was notified that our funding was cut and we needed to cease our AmeriCorps program effective immediately. This impacted the 17 Aspire AmeriCorps members who serve our students every day and the 150 students and their families who rely on Aspire for a no-cost safe place to be out of school time and robust academic afterschool support. 

Why are we raising funds?

Aspire’s is the only daily academic afterschool program offered at no cost for 3rd-8th graders in Arlington. As one parent said, “I looked into lots of other [afterschool] programs and they wanted $10 more an hour than I make.” Without Aspire, families have literally nowhere else to go. 

The cuts represent a significant loss in funding for Aspire (approximately 30% of our budget). Prior to these cuts, we were serving a record 150 students this school year and were on track to serve a record 140 this summer. We still had over 30 students on our waiting list. The need in Arlington is significant. These funding cuts make it harder for us to meet that need. While we will continue to offer our programs and are deeply committed to serving our students, the cuts may force us to serve fewer students and/or scale back programming.

To close the gap for this summer and the 2025-2026 school year, we need to raise $350,000 by June 30th. 

If we do not raise funds to fill the gap, one-third of our current students and their families will be without safe, high-quality academic afterschool and summer programming. This comes at a time when many of our students are entering our program two or more grade levels behind due to the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Set up your fundraising page

You can share Aspire’s fundraising page or join our campaign and set up your own fundraising page that’s linked to ours. To set up your own page:

  1. Visit Aspire’s fundraising page at https://givebutter.com/support-aspire-rising-together 
  2. Click the button that says “Fundraise” in blue
  3. Create a fundraising account on the Givebutter platform or log in to your existing account
  4. Set a fundraising goal to inspire and motivate your community. Just write the number, no dollar sign needed!
  5. Customize a message sharing why you’re supporting Aspire and what Aspire means to you. Don’t know what to say? We have sample language below!

Fundraising page sample wording

Aspire has recently been impacted by cuts to AmeriCorps funding. I’ve [volunteered with / supported / worked with / seen the impact of] Aspire for [length of time], and I’ve seen the great things this organization has made possible for students. I believe in Aspire because [reason for being involved with Aspire]. 

My goal is to raise [$] by [suggested date: 6/30]. Will you help me reach this goal to sustain Aspire’s vital work for students and families in Arlington?

Other ideas for your fundraising page include:

  • Say you’ll match donations up to a certain dollar amount 
  • Make it personal – people want to know why this matters to YOU

How to identify people for personal outreach

Think about people you know who have a personal connection to Aspire, an interest in education, are community-minded, or want to see local students flourish. Make a list of people who fit into at least one of these categories.

If the idea of asking people for money feels uncomfortable, think about your motivations for giving and how you feel when you’ve donated. What did you like most? Did it feel meaningful? Take those memories and tailor your messages to what feels right for you. Remember that most people want to give back to their community, and you’re helping them feel good, make a difference, and support a cause you’re passionate about.

Don’t stress about donation amounts. Truly, every bit makes a real difference, and a first-time donation is a great first step to what can be a long and meaningful connection to Aspire!

Sample texts

  1. Hi [Name]. Have you heard about the recent cuts to AmeriCorps? I’m sad to share that they’ve impacted Aspire and their students. I know you [personal connection – ex: care about education, are involved in the Arlington community, served in AmeriCorps, are a parent yourself and understand the importance of out-of-school time learning support]. Will you step up with me and help them close their fundraising gap? Learn more and make a donation here: [Your fundraising page link] 
  2. Hi [Name]. Just a quick reminder that I’m fundraising to help close Aspire’s funding gap and provide vital learning support to students. I’d appreciate your support. My goal is to raise [$], which would set them up for success this summer and next school year. [Your fundraising page link]

Sample email

  1. Hi [Name]. A nonprofit I’m passionate about, Aspire Afterschool Learning, has been impacted by the recent cuts to AmeriCorps. They were serving a record 150 students before these cuts, but these cuts leave them with a fundraising gap that will make it harder for them to provide students with no-cost, vital learning support. I know you [personal connection – ex: care about education, are involved in the Arlington community, served in AmeriCorps, are a parent yourself and understand the importance of out-of-school time learning support], and Aspire is an amazing organization that needs our support. Theirs is the only daily academic afterschool program for 3rd-8th graders in Arlington that is offered at no cost to families – if they have to scale back their programming, there’s no where else for families to go. 

[Your personal story/connection to Aspire]. I’m trying to raise [$] by [suggested date: 6/30]. Will you support my fundraising page and help sustain Aspire’s work? [Your fundraising page link]

  1. Hi [Name]! With everything else going on right now and all the emails I’m sure you’re getting, I wanted to follow up briefly to remind you that I’m fundraising for Aspire Afterschool Learning to help them close their fundraising gap caused by recent AmeriCorps cuts. My goal is to raise [$], which would set Aspire and their students up for success, and your support would mean a lot to me. [Your fundraising page link]

Hashtags 

  • #RisingTogether
  • #AspireStrong

Sample social media posts

  1. Join me in helping Aspire sustain their learning programs and close the funding gap caused by recent AmeriCorps cuts. [Share a personal memory of Aspire/what Aspire means to you]. My goal is to raise [$] by [suggested date: 6/30] to support Aspire and their students. Will you step up with me to help this vital organization? [Your fundraising page link] #RisingTogether #AspireStrong
  2. I’m fundraising for Aspire Afterschool Learning! They’ve been impacted by recent AmeriCorps funding cuts, leaving them with a 30% funding gap. This is an organization I’m passionate about, and I’m aiming to raise [$] by [suggested date: 6/30] to sustain their vital learning programs. Help me support these students by donating to their #RisingTogether campaign today! [Your fundraising page link] #AspireStrong
  3. Will you join me in helping Aspire sustain their learning programs for Arlington students after recent AmeriCorps cuts? I first got involved with Aspire in [year] and since then, [share what Aspire means to you]. My goal is to raise [$] by [suggested date: 6/30] and I hope you’ll step up with me to help reach that goal! [Your fundraising page link] #RisingTogether #AspireStrong
  4. I’m trying to raise [$] by [suggested date: 6/30] for Aspire Afterschool Learning, a local nonprofit providing afterschool and summer learning programs that’s been impacted by recent AmeriCorps cuts. Will you donate to help me reach this goal and sustain these vital, no cost learning programs for historically underserved students? [Your fundraising page link] #RisingTogether #AspireStrong
  5. Join me and help Aspire sustain vital learning programs for Arlington students! [Your fundraising page link] #RisingTogether #AspireStrong

Sample thank you messages

Aspire will send out receipts and our own thank yous, but it’s nice for people who donated to your page to receive a personal thank you.  

  1. Hi [Name]! Thank you so much for donating to my fundraising page for Aspire. I’m really grateful for your support of Arlington students and it means a lot that you contributed. I know you’ll get an official thank you from Aspire, but I just wanted to let you know that I saw your donation and I appreciate it!
  2. [Name], thank you so much for supporting my fundraising page for Aspire. If you’re interested in getting more involved and spreading the word about these funding kits, you can check out their advocacy toolkit here.

Sample Graphics

Right click on each image to download it.

Horizontal funding cuts
Horizontal support Aspire
Rectangular funding cuts
Square image support Aspire

Thank you for stepping up to support Aspire and our students! 


To learn more about Aspire and our work, visit www.aspireafterschool.org. You can also read our latest updates and statements on the AmeriCorps funding cuts at https://www.aspireafterschool.org/aspires-response-to-americorps-funding-cuts/.