Drive for Schools has raised over $10 million for Santa Cruz County Schools over the past 20 years. We’re excited to invite your school to participate this year and bring some of those funds into your school.

All elementary, middle, and high schools in Santa Cruz County are invited to participate in Drive for Schools at absolutely NO COST. Your students and their families simply take a $5 donation per ticket, and your school keeps every single dollar raised. Your school then brings the ticket stubs to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk no later than October 19, 2025 by 5:00 pm PT in order for the stubs to be entered into a fun drawing for great prizes at the conclusion of the fundraiser in October. Your school doesn’t need to print tickets or collect prizes – volunteers take care of that for you. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk contributes a grand prize of $25,000 and five other $1,000 prizes. Local businesses also pitch in to typically provide almost 100 additional great prizes.

Last year, more than 80 local schools participated in this unique fundraising drive, raising a total of $710,355 in 2024 alone to help fund their arts, music, camps, classrooms, sports, and other vital programs. Several schools raised well over $20,000 each! The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, which coordinates this fundraiser with the generous support of Mission Printers and other local businesses, does not collect any money. Money raised by each school stays with that school to be spent as it chooses. Due to the volunteer spirit of this event, participating schools may not mandate or coerce the purchase of Drive for Schools tickets in association with the collection of tuition or fees. Please consult your school’s trusted advisor on your school’s fundraising rules and requirements.

To participate, email Marcy Brenkwitz at [email protected] no later than September 3, 2025 by 5:00 pm PT with your school name, principal name, and fundraising coordinator’s name, email address and cell phone number. More information will be delivered to the email(s) you provide. If your school signs up by Sept. 3, tickets and related information will be available for pick-up by your school’s fundraising coordinator at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Season Pass Office from 2:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 and Wednesday, September 17, 2025. Selling can start when you receive your tickets and continue until Sunday, October 19, 2025 11:59 pm PT. The drawing for all prizes will be held at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 1:00 pm PT.

As you plan for the ‘25-‘26 school year, we hope your school will participate in the 2025 DRIVE FOR SCHOOLS!

Sincerely,