Longfellow Monthly Giving Program
What does the PTO Support?
The PTO is committed to providing:
Curriculum enrichment funding for every class (field trips, in-school programs, and garden programs)
Classroom supplies funding for all students
Support to the school to help students and families have their basic needs met
Community-building events - free for all families throughout the year
Teacher and staff appreciation events every season and much more
Learn more on our What We Do webpage.
How much should I give to the Longfellow Partners monthly giving program?
Because each family has a different capacity and passion for the mission of the PTO, we anticipate families will give at the level that is meaningful to them and typically between $5 -$50 per month.
Please consider giving $5 per month for each child you have at Longfellow, and if you have the capacity, please consider giving an extra $10 or more to support additional students. Giving at all levels is critical to support students at the school.
Many families at Longfellow commit to supporting a range of nonprofits each year. We are asking you to consider adding Longfellow PTO (which is a 501c-3 nonprofit) to your philanthropic giving to support and enhance the public education experience for our entire Longfellow community.
How can I give?
The monthly giving program accepts all credit cards, debit cards, PayPal and bank-to-bank transfer (ACH). That means if you don’t want to put your monthly giving on a credit card you can set it up directly through your bank account. The online giving is through donorbox, click here to go to the campaign and start your monthly giving.
What are my other giving options?
We are asking families to strongly consider recurring monthly giving because it will ensure an efficient and reliable source of support. This efficiency will allow the PTO and its volunteers to focus on vital programming rather than ongoing fundraising. However, if you’d prefer to make a one-time gift or give an annual recurring gift, there is the ability to do that through the same online platform.
I think the grandparents would like to give, but they don’t give online, they only give through checks or through their financial advisor. Will you accept checks?
Yes, for those who can not use the online giving program, we will accept checks. The best time to give a one-time check is through the annual Laps for Longfellow walk-run that happens in the fall. Although checks can be sent any time of year addressed to Longfellow Elementary PTO and sent to the school address 432 Stevens Ave, Portland ME 04103. Every gift sent in the mail will receive a gift acknowledgement from the Longfellow Elementary PTO as a 501c-3 charitable nonprofit. The Longfellow Elementary PTO's EIN is 13-4338009.
Can I cancel or change my monthly donation if I need to?
Donors can pause, cancel or resume donations, edit their card information, and change a donation amount easily online. How to Edit your Recurring Donation Plan (Step-by-Step Tutorial) by Donorbox
How is personal information (credit cards, eft, etc) managed?
Donorbox does not store any card or bank data. Credit card info is encrypted, tokenized, and safely stored with Stripe. Donorbox is also secured by SSL/TLS and is PCI compliant. To learn more go to: How does Donorbox keep payment data secure?
Will my name and donation be published publicly and can I make my donation anonymously?
Your name and your gift amount will not be shared publicly and only your name will be viewable by the PTO Board of Directors as the leaders of the nonprofit organization. In addition, through Donorbox you can choose to make your name and donation amount completely anonymous.
How do the two PTO fundraisers differ: Laps for Longfellow walk/run and Longfellow monthly giving?
Laps for Longfellow in-school walk/run is an opportunity for every student to ask neighbors, relatives, and friends to sponsor them in the walk/run through many small donations. Longfellow monthly giving is intended for families to give directly to the PTO by setting up monthly giving and continuing that giving throughout their students' time at Longfellow. Longfellow monthly giving can be a good option for relatives too.
Are there any perks for recurring donors?
Yes! New in 2026, we are offering a choice of either a Longfellow fanny pack or beanie - viewable here, as a thank you gift. Existing and new donors will be emailed to confirm their choice of item.
Do you have more questions?
Feel free to reach out to the Co-chairs of the PTO: Holly Zela and Ariel Zodhiates at: mainelongfellowpto@gmail.com.
Where do I sign up to become a Longfellow monthly donor?