How Salado Montessori Built a Culture of Giving and Exceeded Its Fundraising Goals

The Challenge

Salado Montessori, a small independent school rooted in the Montessori philosophy, had a longstanding philanthropy expectation documented in its parent handbook, but had never launched a formal fundraising campaign.

Since opening in 2018, efforts were largely limited to start-up fundraising, leaving significant untapped potential for sustained development. Recognizing the opportunity to build both capacity and community engagement, the school partnered with Sprig’s Alexis Bennett to create a communications-first approach to development that would strengthen participation and set a foundation for future growth.

The Solution

Year 1: Laying the Foundation

Salado Montessori launched its first-ever Annual Fund (aligned with the Parent Handbook) with two clear goals:

1. Fund the assistant guide’s enrollment in an 18-month Association of Montessori Internationale (AMI) Primary (3-6) diploma program at the Montessori Institute of North Texas ($16,749), a crucial part of the school’s growth strategy.

2. Build a new playground for students ($1,865), aligned with the Montessori of play as an important part of learning. 

To make it happen, Sprig helped design a multi-channel campaign combining:

• Email and social media storytelling

• Flyers sent home with students

• Direct phone outreach to families

The primary focus wasn’t just on dollars raised, it was on participation and shared ownership.

The results spoke for themselves:

• $6,000 raised from the immediate school community

• 100% participation from current families

• A new sense of collective pride in the school’s growth

This was enough to allow the assistant guide to enroll in the AMI program. 

Playscape Project: Expanding Creative Funding

Building on that momentum, Sprig supported the creation of a community sponsorship package to finish funding the playground project.

Through local partnerships, the school secured:

• $5,000 in local business sponsorships

• A $500 Walmart Sparks Good grant

• Free mulch to surround the play area and meet Texas state code requirements

Together, those funds fully covered and constructed a safe, code-compliant playscape for students, a tangible outcome the community could see and celebrate.

Year 2: Targeted Fundraising Success

With a strong foundation in place, Salado Montessori launched its second Annual Fund focused on completing tuition support for the assistant teacher. Using similar digital communications, the school also:

• Hosted a give-back night at a family-owned restaurant

• Engaged alumni through mail and email

This time, the campaign exceeded its $5,700 goal by 5%, raising $6,057 and expanding its donor base beyond current families. With help from a need-based scholarship and a book stipend for the assistant guide, this fundraiser secured the remaining dollars needed to pay for AMI program tuition. 

The Results

Beyond campaign results, Sprig supported Salado Montessori in strengthening its development and communications infrastructure by applying for grants, implementing a donor management system, and establishing repeatable fundraising processes that would scale and mature their efforts. 

These efforts led to:

• A Montessori Growth Fund grant award to replenish classroom materials

• A streamlined, low-cost donor management system

• A sustainable communications approach for year-round engagement

The Takeaway

In just two years, Salado Montessori evolved from a school with philanthropic potential to a confident, capable fundraising organization.

With Sprig’s guidance, the school didn’t just meet its goals; it built a culture of giving rooted in connection, storytelling, and shared purpose.