Aspire is celebrating 30 years of impact in South Arlington!

Aspire Afterschool Learning is the only daily, accessible academic afterschool program offered at no cost to historically underserved 3rd-8th grade students in Arlington, Virginia. We started as a small grassroots organization, and have expanded our programming, deepened our supports, and grown to serve more students who are most impacted by the opportunity gap.

Our Achieving Afterschool Celebration will raise vital funds for our work. With your support, Aspire will:

Serve 130+ students every school day through our afterschool program and in the summer through our 6-week summer learning camp.
Maintain small class sizes and personalized support even as we grow to meet the highest-ever demand for programming.
Expand our STEM and literacy programming to inspire a love of learning and prepare students for long-term success.
Ensure that our programs remain no-cost to families.

To learn more about Aspire, you can join our mailing list and visit our website. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Learn more about volunteer opportunities here.

How You Can Help

1) Join Us on October 16th - Tickets are now SOLD OUT!

Tickets for the event are now sold out, but you can still be part of the celebration by donating to Aspire!

Event Details

5 pm - 6 pm: Welcome reception with cocktails, appetizers, and a chance to enter our raffle featuring local businesses

6 pm - 8 pm: Plated dinner and event programming

Attire: Business Casual

2) Make a Donation

Can’t join us in person? Donations in any amount make a difference. Click “Tickets & Donate” at the top of this page to make your contribution.

Here's how your support makes a difference:

$50 - Sponsors one day of afterschool support + a literacy kit for a student.
$100 - Sponsors one year of STEM supplies for a student.
$250 - Sponsors one year of books for a student.
$400 - Sponsors one week of full-day summer learning camp for a student.
$600 - Sponsors one month of daily afterschool support for a student.
$1,000 - Sponsors one year of supplies for a classroom.
$2,400 - Sponsors six weeks of full-day summer learning camp for a student.

3) Become a Sponsor or Raffle Supporter

Event Sponsorships

Your sponsorship makes a tangible impact on our community and reaches an enthusiastic local audience of 150+ guests, hundreds of online donors, and 3,000+ people through a post-event email to Aspire’s subscribers. You can learn more here and purchase your sponsorship on this page, by check, or by EFT. The deadline for sponsors to be included in our event program is Friday, September 20th. Please note that as of Wednesday, October 9th, we will no longer be able to include event tickets as part of any sponsorship levels, as tickets are sold out.

Raffle Donations

Our raffle is always a highlight for our guests and a crucial part of our fundraising success! All raffle donations must be finalized by Friday, September 20th. Learn more and confirm your donation by filling out this form and emailing it to development@aspireafterschooll.org.

4) Fundraise for Aspire

Help us reach our goal even faster by setting up your own fundraising page to inspire others to donate! Just click "Fundraise" in the “Team Members” section at the top of the page, below the video. All you have to do is set a goal, write a short personalized message, and then share your page with your family and friends. Check out the sample language and timeline for ideas.

If you have questions or would like to discuss any of these opportunities in more detail, please email Maggie at development@aspireafterschool.org.

Thank you, 2024 sponsors!

FAQs

I'd like to discuss a sponsorship opportunity with Aspire's team. Who should I contact?

Thank you for your interest! You can email Maggie at development@aspireafterschool.org for more information or to set up a time to talk.

What are the benefits of a sponsorship?

With your sponsorship, you'll be able to advertise in the event program and have your logo on all event communications. Your business will reach an audience of 150+ guests from across Arlington including Board members, corporate sponsors, and community leaders (and hundreds more people who give online). Specific benefits vary based on the level of sponsorship. You can learn more here.

Do I need to know the contact information for each guest when I purchase a table or a sponsorship?

We are glad you plan to bring guests to the event! You do not need to know the names of your guests at the time of purchase. Our team will reach out a few weeks prior to the event to confirm guest names and meal preferences for your table or half table.

I have dietary restrictions that impact my meal selection. What should I do?

Aspire can accommodate dietary restrictions conveyed to us up to one week before the event. Please email Maggie at development@aspireafterschool.org to let us know and learn more about meal options.

Is this donation tax deductible?

Yes! We are a tax-exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code: EIN 54-1705642. If you plan to attend the event, a small portion of your sponsorship will not be tax deductible. You can learn more about the tax deductibility of each sponsorship level here.

If I prefer to send in a check, will my donation still be credited on the event site?

If you'd prefer to avoid credit card fees, you can send a check via mail to PO Box 41318, Arlington, VA 22204 and include "2024 Fall Event" in the memo. We'll add your offline donation to the website once we receive it!

What other ways can I support Aspire?

You can help Aspire reach our fundraising goal by making a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA, donating appreciated stocks or mutual funds, supporting Aspire through your Donor Advised Fund, submitting a corporate match, or setting up a monthly donation. For more information, please email Maggie at development@aspireafterschool.org.

You can also support Aspire's students through volunteering. We are always looking for volunteers to support our students with reading and math after school. Please email volunteer@aspireafterschool.org to share your availability and learn more.

Will I be able to make an in-person donation at the event?

Yes!

Will there be a recording available?

The event will not be streamed or recorded this year.

Aspire 2024 Achieving Afterschool Celebration

Join us as we mark Aspire's 30th anniversary, celebrate our students, and bring together the community members who make our work possible.

Team Members