Friends of Marquez

Friends is organized and run by parent volunteers who coordinate the raising and spending of almost $500,000 annually.

In 1983, parents at Marquez organized a non-profit corporation, Friends of Marquez, to raise money for art, music, drama, physical education, computers, a librarian, teacher’s assistants and many other extras that enhance our school. Friends is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and donations to it are taxdeductible.

Friends generally meets on the day before the Marquez Governing Board on the 3rd Wednesday of each month while school is in session in the school library, alternating between morning and evening meetings.

The single best and most cost-effective way to give to Friends is through the Annual Giving Fund starting at the beginning of the year and continuing all year long. This is the single largest fundraiser and critical to the support of all our programs. Find out if your company may match your contribution to Friends.

The other major fundraiser is the Spring Auction, consisting of both a live and a silent auction as well as dinner and entertainment. Donations to Friends are generally tax deductible. Consult with your tax advisor. Download the Annual Contribution Form (1.6 megs PDF)

There are several ways to earn money for Marquez:

  • Register your Ralphs club card and Marquez automatically gets 4-5% on all your purchases;
  • Sign up to purchase Gelsons’ scrip (which you can use at Gelsons like cash);
  • Register your credit cards at eScrip and Marquez gets a percentage
  • of all your purchases when you use those credit cards at Vons,
  • Bristol Farms, Big 5, Payless, Pep Boys, etc.;
  • Order new magazines for fun summer reading or renew your subscriptions thru QSP Readers Digest and Marquez gets up to 40%.
The Spring Auction Sounds Great!

Auction themes have included Midnight in Marrakesh, Casablanca Casino Night and Mardi Gras. It is a great way to meet other Marquez parents, have fun & raise money for our school. An enormous amount of preparation and planning goes into this hip, chic, event. We hope that you can join our principal and the teachers and all your friends. The auction committee is looking for volunteers. Please come to the next Friends of Marquez meeting if you are interested.

What is the most effective way my money can help the school?

The single best and most cost effective way to give to Friends is through the Annual Giving Fund starting at the beginning of the school year and continuing all year. This is the single largest fundraiser and critical to the support of our programs. All donations are tax deductible.