Right Now Needs Fund
A one-of-a-kind program that launched in October 2018 with a $2 million, two year investment from Amazon to address the immediate basic needs of students and families across all 106 Seattle Public Schools.
When students have their basic needs met, they are more likely to succeed within and beyond the classroom. The Right Now Needs Fund is an Alliance for Education program that works at the individual school level to provide funds to all 106 Seattle Public Schools to support the immediate basic needs of Seattle students, covering the cost of warm clothing, meals, technology access, and housing that are not otherwise funded in a school budget.
Download our fact sheet to learn more email us at RightNowNeeds@alliance4ed.org.
We thank Amazon for their generous contribution to support the Right Now Needs Fund.
Testimonials
Family Support Worker at Gatewood Elementary School
“A family reached out for assistance when their landlord told them with a months notice that they would be selling the property. The family expressed the importance of staying at our school because they had already moved multiple times, and their child started feeling anxious about starting again at a new school mid-year. When the family found a new home near the school they needed assistance making the deposit to secure the house. The Right Now Needs Fund provided the remaining balance of the deposit, and they were able to move into the house. The relief on the student’s face to not have to move again was priceless!”
“The Right Now Needs Fund positively impacted my family when my employer reduced my hours by 40 a month. It gave me hope that I didn’t have for a while. I hope that by sharing my experience, it helps others know that the Right Now Needs Fund is here to help during tough situations.”
Right Now Needs Fund Recipient
“As a school, we often hear about students needs and have a difficult time finding the necessary resources. But, the Right Now Needs Fund allows us some flexibility to be responsive to the needs in the way that students and families need RIGHT NOW! Families thank our staff daily for providing some support to create stability during this unpredictable time.”
School Social Worker at Robert Eagle Staff Middle School
Teacher at Aki Kurose Middle School
“The Right Now Needs Fund made several of my families happy by giving them a holiday meal. It’s expensive feeding a family on a monthly basis and there was nothing left over for the holiday, but thanks to Aki Kurose staff, they had the food to share with their family. This is a thank you note for thinking of them!”
FAQ
The Right Now Needs Fund is designed to directly benefit students, particularly those experiencing poverty.
The funds can be spent on addressing the immediate basic needs of students. Examples of appropriate expenditures include warm clothing, adequate food, shelter, and necessary school supplies. Funds cannot be spent on existing school budget expenses.
The Right Now Needs Fund can be accessed by contacting your child’s principal to request a disbursement.
Any school community member can recommend a student recipient to the school principal.
The Alliance for Education is responsible for managing the Right Now Needs Fund. We disburse the funds and track its usage for schools in Seattle Public Schools working to increase educational justice and racial equity.
For 25 years, the Alliance has convened SPS and community groups and raised funds on their behalf. Our team has the infrastructure and experience required to oversee school-based resources. We manage over a hundred school accounts, sustain customer relationships, process check requests, and deliver timely reports, providing accountability and expertise to each school we support.