Aspire is closing the educational opportunity gap 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 150+ students every school day through our afterschool program and 120+ in the summer through our six-week summer learning camp.
Engage students through expanded STEM programming and social-emotional learning.
Expand support for families (including through a food pantry and workshops).
Maintain small class sizes and personalized support even as we meet the highest-ever demand for programming.
Ensure that our programs remain no-cost to families.

We need your help to make sure that we can sustain our no-cost programs for as many students as possible.

How You Can Help

1) Join us at the Achieving Afterschool Celebration

We hope you'll join us for a fun evening where we'll celebrate the learning and growth of our students with the incredible community who makes it possible. Early bird ticket prices end on October 1st, so get your tickets today!

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, with keynote speaker Dr. Gregory Washington, President of George Mason University

Attire: Business Casual

2) Become a Sponsor or Raffle Supporter

Event Sponsorships

Your sponsorship makes a tangible impact on our community and reaches an enthusiastic local audience of 200+ guests, hundreds of online donors, and 3,000+ people through a post-event email to Aspire’s subscribers. You can purchase your sponsorship on this page, by check, or by EFT. Learn more about the benefits that come with different levels of sponsorship here. The deadline for inclusion in the print invitation is Wednesday, August 19. The deadline for inclusion in the print program is Friday, October 9.

Raffle Donations

Our raffle is always a highlight for our guests and a crucial part of our fundraising success! Learn more and confirm your donation by filling out this form and emailing it to development@aspireafterschool.org. The deadline for raffle prizes is Friday, October 2.

3) Make a Donation

Can’t join us in person? Donations in any amount make a difference. Click "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.

In keeping with our Equity & Access values, if you want to celebrate with us but the cost of the ticket is prohibitive, please reach out to development@aspireafterschool.org. Supporters can also donate a ticket to help cover the cost for someone else.

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 our toolkit with directions, sample messages, a timeline, and tips!

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

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 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 200+ 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 we purchase a sponsorship or a table?

We are glad you plan to bring guests to the event! You can use your own contact information in place of any unknown guest information at the time of purchase. Our team will reach out a few weeks prior to the event to confirm guest names.

Is this sponsorship/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 donation will not be tax deductible as it will go toward the cost of the meal. You can learn more about the tax deductibility of each sponsorship level here.

Why is the donation amount I see when I go to enter my payment information higher than the amount I selected?

Aspire uses the Givebutter platform, which automatically opts donors in to cover the credit card processing fees, helping Aspire make an even bigger difference. You can opt out of covering the credit card processing fee by selecting "Change" by the processing fee (at the top of the page). If you'd like to avoid these fees, you can pay via check or offline, and we will add your donation to this page once we've received it.

I want to pay via check or offline - how can I do that?

You can mail a check to Aspire Afterschool Learning, PO Box 41318, Arlington, VA 22204. Please write "Achieving Afterschool Celebration" in the memo. Once we receive it, we will email you to let you know and can then add your donation to the event page. You can also email development@aspireafterschool.org to discuss your preferred donation method in more detail.

What other ways can I support Aspire?

To learn more about making a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA, donating appreciated stocks or mutual funds, supporting Aspire through your Donor Advised Fund, or submitting a corporate match, please email development@aspireafterschool.org. You can also make a recommendation of support from your Donor Advised Fund right here! When you go to process your donation, select the "Donor Advised Fund" option through DAFpay.

Additionally, 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.

We also hold a variety of events throughout the year, including Community Volunteer Nights, our Student Showcase, and more. View our upcoming events at https://www.aspireafterschool.org/events/.

I want to attend but I can't afford the ticket.

In keeping with our Equity & Access values, if you want to celebrate with us but the cost of the ticket is prohibitive, please reach out todevelopment@aspireafterschool.org. Supporters can also donate a ticket to help cover the cost for someone else.

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

Yes! During the event, Aspire's team can accept payments in the form of cash, card, and check, as well as pledge payments if you would like to give through your investments (Donor Advised Funds, Qualified Charitable Distributions, stock, etc).

Where can I go to learn more about Aspire's work and programs?

You can visit our main website page at https://www.aspireafterschool.org/.

How can I stay updated about Aspire's work?

You can sign up for our monthly e-newsletter here: https://www.aspireafterschool.org/news/subscribe/.

You can also follow us on social media at the links below:

Thank you, 2026 sponsors!

Aspire's 2026 Achieving Afterschool Celebration

Join us as we celebrate the growth of our students and the community members who make our work possible.

Team Members