The Magic of Mondays Fund
Let’s Make Magic
Every Monday morning begins with possibility.
The magic of Mondays is about the people who make every student feel like they belong.
Recent CPS budget cuts have eliminated critical support staff positions at Skinner West. These are the dedicated professionals who provide individualized support, strengthen classrooms, and help ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.
The Magic of Mondays Campaign is our community's effort to restore those positions through Friends of Skinner West. Every donation helps bring back the people who make a meaningful difference in our students' lives—not just on Mondays, but every day of the school year.
Whether you make a one-time gift or choose to give monthly, your generosity directly supports the people who support our children.
Together, we can preserve the welcoming, nurturing environment that defines Skinner West and ensure every student continues to experience the care, encouragement, and opportunity they deserve.
Help us keep the magic alive. Make your gift today.
All Hands on Deck: How You Can Help
Make a Donation to the Magic of Mondays Fund by Friends of Skinner West by August 14, 2026
Spread the Word to your friends, family, neighbors, community, and corporate partners, asking them to make a donation.
Amplify this campaign within the community using the resources provided below
Monday mornings hold a small kind of magic.
The kind where when the front door opens, and the bell goes off, our superstar Skinner West students are excited to see their favorite teachers, support aides, faculty, and staff. They’re ready to tell them every detail about their weekend, show off their new picture, book, or project, or reveal the hidden treasure that they’ve stuffed in their backpack.
Our students work incredibly hard, and our staff brings the magic to the school year — giving their skills, leadership, and talent to transform our students’ learning and achievements. With the recent CPS budget cuts for Skinner West, our school support aides and staff positions were lost and we know that our kids need and deserve more support as they head into this school year.
The Magic of Mondays Campaign is an initiative to restore our cut staff positions through a one-time donation to Friends of Skinner West by August 14, 2026. We’re hoping that our people can help us make magic for our kids, restoring positions and adding more support for our students every day of the school year.
#Spread the Word
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Monday mornings have a little magic to them. Your kid running to greet their favorite teacher. A familiar face at the door who already knows their name. That magic is only possible because of the school staff who make it happen, and we need your help to bring them back for 2026–2027. Give any amount, or make a bigger gift to help fund a full position. Every gift is due by August 14. Link in bio to give. #MagicOfMondays text goes here
https://friendsskinnerwest.betterworld.org/campaigns/magic-mondays
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Monday mornings at Skinner West have a little bit of magic in them. My kid still runs down the hall to find their favorite teacher. That's only possible because of the school staff who greet, know, and look after every kid, and this year, some of those positions were cut from the CPS budget.
Friends of Skinner West started Magic of Mondays to bring them back before school starts again. I'm giving, and I'm asking my friends to join me; even $20 helps when enough of us show up together. Gifts are due August 14. I'll drop the link in the comments. Thanks for reading this far. #MagicOfMondays
https://friendsskinnerwest.betterworld.org/campaigns/magic-mondays -
I show up for these kids every day, and so does every one of my colleagues. This year, some of our support staff positions were cut, and we know we’ll feel that gap in every hallway and classroom.
Friends of Skinner West started a campaign called Magic of Mondays to bring those positions back for next year. I'm not asking for a big gift. Please share this with someone who cares about this school, or give what you can before the August 14 deadline. Help bring back the. #MagicOfMondays
https://friendsskinnerwest.betterworld.org/campaigns/magic-mondays -
To the local businesses and organizations that make our neighborhood feel like home: Skinner West needs your help. CPS budget cuts took away school and instructional support staff, the people who help our kids get through the school day.
As a parent, I know how much this community shows up for our school, and I'm asking you to show up again. Friends of Skinner West's Magic of Mondays campaign is raising one-time gifts and pledges to restore our school support positions before the 2026–2027 school year starts. Every pledge helps, and gifts are due August 14. Reach out to Friends of Skinner West to learn how your business can be part of it. #MagicOfMondays
https://friendsskinnerwest.betterworld.org/campaigns/magic-mondays
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Dear Friends of Skinner West,
You may not have a child walking the halls of Skinner West this year, but you're part of this community all the same, as a grandparent, an alum, a neighbor, or a friend of a family who calls this school home.
Right now, Skinner West needs help. The ongoing budget crisis cut several school and instructional support staff positions, the people who greet kids by name, help them through a hard moment, and keep the school day running smoothly.
Friends of Skinner West has launched Magic of Mondays, a one-time campaign to bring these positions back for the 2026–2027 school year, and we're asking our extended community to help.
Link Here: https://friendsskinnerwest.betterworld.org/campaigns/magic-mondays
How you can help:
Give any amount. Every gift, large or small, moves us closer to the goal.
Consider a larger gift in honor of a child, teacher, or memory that matters to you. Gifts at this level can fund a meaningful part of a staff position.
Give by August 14, 2026, so the school can confirm staffing before the first day of class.
This is a focused, one-time campaign with a clear purpose and a firm deadline. Your gift today helps make sure Skinner West kids have the same support they've always counted on.
Thank you for being part of this community.
With appreciation,
Friends of Skinner West Board
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Dear [HR Team/Community Relations Team/Corporate Giving Committee],
I'm reaching out to see if [Company Name] would consider supporting a local school fundraising initiative that is especially meaningful to my family and our community.
Friends of Skinner West, the parent-powered 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting Mark T. Skinner West Elementary School in Chicago's West Loop, recently launched a one-time campaign called Magic of Mondays. The campaign was created in response to CPS budget cuts that eliminated several critical school and instructional support staff positions for the 2026–2027 school year.
The goal is to raise funds by August 14, 2026, so these positions can be restored before students return to school. These staff members are the people who greet students each morning, provide supervision and classroom support, and help ensure every child has the resources they need to succeed.
I'm wondering if [Company Name] has any of the following opportunities available:
A charitable donation or community grant to support this campaign
A corporate sponsorship or pledge
A matching gift program for employee donations
Any other community giving opportunities that could help support this effort
Skinner West is a neighborhood public school that serves hundreds of families, and this campaign represents a focused, one-time effort to restore essential staff positions that directly impact students every day.
You can learn more about the campaign here:
https://friendsskinnerwest.betterworld.org/campaigns/magic-mondaysIf additional information is needed, Friends of Skinner West can provide sponsorship information, tax documentation, or any materials that would be helpful for your review.
Thank you for considering this request and for all that [Company Name] does to support the communities where we live and work. I appreciate your time and would be grateful for any opportunity to discuss this campaign further.
Best,
[Your Name]
