On Thursday, May 7 from 5:00–7:00 PM, the TNS community gathers for the Spring Fling and Auction — our single largest fundraiser of the year. If you can only show up for one PTA event, make it this one. Here's why.
The online auction is open for bidding now. Preview lots, place pre-event bids, or just browse — the auction site stays live through Spring Fling on May 7.
The $35,000 Question
Our annual PTA fundraising goal is $35,000. As of our March meeting, the Spring Auction alone had already raised $13,600 — outperforming every other fundraiser combined. May 7 is where we close the gap.
Where Your Dollars Go
For the full breakdown with a live progress bar, see Where Your Dollars Go .
TNS isn't asking for "extras." PTA fundraising pays for the programs that make TNS, TNS — the things the DOE budget does not cover:
- Teaching Assistants in general education classrooms — especially kindergarten. The DOE doesn't fund these positions. We do.
- The Ashokan Camp — a signature 4th/5th-grade overnight trip that's been called "a special experience" and a hallmark of the school's identity.
- Class trips, arts partnerships, and community events that wouldn't happen without parent giving.
The Title I Gap
Here's a stat most TNS families don't know: 44% of our families qualify for Title I status — but because we fall below the 60% federal threshold, we don't receive Title I funding. That means the supports students would get at a higher-poverty school, our PTA has to raise. Every dollar you give directly fills that gap.
Four Ways to Give Right Now
- Donate online right now. Our donation page runs on Zeffy, which takes zero platform fees — 100% of your gift reaches the PTA. Choose one-time or monthly recurring (the single most helpful kind — even $20/month = $240/year toward TAs and Ashokan). This is the primary way to give.
- Bid on the online auction. Open now and through May 7 — preview every lot and place bids on tnspta.betterworld.org . Family-donated gifts, experiences, services, and handmade pieces. You don't have to come to the Spring Fling to bid — but if you can, do.
- Come to the Spring Fling on May 7. Buy tickets, eat, mingle, and finalize bids in person. This one night funds the year.
- Double your gift with a corporate match. After donating via Zeffy , ask your employer to match it through Benevity. Most big employers do (Google, Microsoft, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, Paul-Weiss, most law firms and media companies). It's five minutes of paperwork and your $100 becomes $200 or $300. The board calls this a "no-lift opportunity" — only one parent has used it in the last two years, so the upside is huge.
Not a TNS Parent? You Can Still Help.
TNS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public school PTA. Grandparents, alumni, neighbors, and friends-of-the-school are all welcome to bid on the auction , donate, or attend the Spring Fling as guests. If you've been touched by what TNS does for Lower East Side kids, this is how you help.
Can't Give Cash? Give Time.
Volunteering is a real donation — and right now it's what the PTA needs most. Every executive board role is up for election in May 2026, and several event coordinator spots are open. Even an hour of Spring Fling setup, an afternoon of auction data entry, or signing up for the Bake Squad moves the needle.
The work scales to the time you have. Email ptapresident@tnsny.org with a sentence about what interests you and we'll match you to something.
See You May 7
Spring Fling & Auction — Thursday, May 7, 2026, 5:00–7:00 PM. The online auction is open for bids now at tnspta.betterworld.org . Watch Konstella for ticket details. To donate an item, volunteer, or ask about corporate matching, email ptapresident@tnsny.org.