Cobb Read-a-Thon: December 19 – February 2
Building joyful reading habits while we raise $50k for Cobb School Montessori.
This winter, our community is coming together around something that already matters deeply to our children: reading. Our school-wide Read-a-Thon invites students at every level to engage with books in joyful, meaningful ways while helping us reach our Giving Day Challenge on February 3. This year, the Read-a-Thon replaces the jog-a-thon and other past Giving Day activities, allowing us to center our fundraising around literacy, curiosity, and a shared love of learning.
How the Read-a-thon Works
Children read at home throughout the Read-a-Thon period.
(Being read to counts! Re-reading favorites counts! Reading in any language counts!)
- Families track reading on the provided Reading Log.
- Optional: children may gather sponsors who support their reading efforts.
- Reading logs and sponsor forms are returned on February 3.
- We celebrate together on Giving Day!
Participation is encouraged for all children, whether or not families choose to gather sponsors. We have lined up community matches based on shared reading milestones.
Our community goal is to raise $50,000 in support of Cobb School Montessori.
We are grateful to have several generous sponsors who have pledged to donate when our students reach collective reading milestones, such as total minutes read and total pages read. This means that every bit of reading helps—supporting your child’s literacy while also unlocking additional support for our school.
Funds raised through the Read-a-Thon and Giving Day Challenge help sustain exceptional programs, classroom materials, outdoor learning, visiting specialists, and enriching experiences for our students.
We want the whole community to get in on the excitement!
Please follow along on social media throughout the month. We have exciting activities planned for the children that feature special coming’s in and guest readers. We also want to know what *you’re* reading! Please tag @CobbSchool on social media to let us know what’s on your bookshelf this month! Februrary 3rd will be our official Giving Day where we tally our results from the Read-a-thon and try to reach our final goal of $50k. We have a Drop Everything And Read Day planned for our entire school and will share more fun activities for the day!
Tuition makes Cobb possible. Your gift makes it exceptional.
High-quality Montessori | Field Trips | Classroom Materials | Campus Upkeep
Staff Development | Financial Aid | Outdoor Education | Art, Music & Spanish
Frequently Asked Questions
Cobb School Montessori is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please consult your tax advisor for specific information regarding your donation.
Why does Cobb need an Annual Fund?
Tuition alone does not cover the costs of maintaining our high standards. The Annual Fund fills this gap and allows us to offer diverse, enriching experiences for our students.
How is the money raised by the Annual Fund used?
Donations to the Annual Fund support every area of school life, from enhancing classroom materials and funding enrichment programs to maintaining our facilities and supporting teacher development. Your contribution has a direct impact on the student experience.
Why doesn’t tuition cover all the school’s expenses?
Tuition is intentionally set at a level to keep our education accessible to more families, but it doesn’t cover the full cost of providing our programs and facilities. The Cobb Annual Fund helps bridge this gap, allowing us to offer an enriched Montessori education without relying solely on tuition increases.
I can only give a small gift, does it matter?
Every gift matters, regardless of size, and we encourage families to give at a level that feels meaningful to them. Contributions of all sizes combine to make a significant impact. Additionally, the percentage participation of our community is a strong signal of approval and support when we apply for external grants from organizations and businesses. So your support, in any amount, benefits the school in many ways. We hope you consider making Cobb a top philanthropic priority.
What is the difference between the Annual Fund and other fundraising initiatives?
The Annual Fund supports immediate needs across the school year, like classroom materials, teacher training, and student programs. Other initiatives, such as capital campaigns or endowment funds, support long-term projects, building improvements, and financial stability.
Our Giving Day Challenge (and the activities associated with it) also go to support the Cobb Annual Fund.
What is a matching gift, and how do I make one?
Many employers offer matching gift programs that can double or even triple your contribution to Cobb School Montessori. Contact your HR department to see if your employer matches charitable donations, and submit any necessary forms with your gift.
Can I give in honor of someone?
Yes, making a gift in honor or memory of someone special is a wonderful way to celebrate them. Just let us know on the donation form, and we will send an acknowledgment card to the honoree or their family if desired.
Can I designate my gift to a specific area?
While all donations to the Annual Fund are unrestricted to meet the school’s greatest needs, you can let us know if you’re particularly passionate about a specific area, like arts, outdoor education, or classroom resources. We welcome your input but reserve the right to apply funds where they’re needed if an area becomes over prescribed.
Will my donation be recognized publicly?
Yes, we recognize all donors in our Annual Report, unless you request to remain anonymous. We honor every gift, and each contribution makes a meaningful difference in our community.
I’ve already given; how else can I help?
Thank you for your support! Beyond financial contributions, you can help by sharing our mission with others, volunteering, or joining our community events. Every form of support strengthens Cobb School Montessori!