Donate
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Credit/Debit Card
Tax deductible donations can be made with a credit/debit card through Kindful , or you can send a check or money order (please make checks payable to “Friends of MIP"). Using Kindful allows you to pay with credit card or linked bank account, set up monthly recurring payments and get tax statements from the website.
Please create your account at: https://friendsofmip.kindful.com/user/sign_in_or_sign_up |
Check or Direct DepositDonations of any amount can also be set up (weekly or monthly) using your bank's online bill pay feature. Simply specify "Friends of MIP" and the address below as the payee. Include your first and last name as the account number. A check will be sent to the school in the amount and frequency that you set up with your bank. Contact Controller for more information.
SEND CHECKS TO: Marian Bergeson Elementary ATTN: Friends of MIP 25302 Rancho Niguel Road Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 The Friends of MIP Tax ID Number is 46-4371590 |
Employer Matching
Many companies provide charitable matching programs. Check with your company's Human Resource Department to determine if there is a Corporate Matching Gift Program and what the process is to apply.
When completing a company match application, please enter the following as the organization name:
Friends of Mandarin Immersion Program (FoMIP)
If you noticed that your employer match is not showing up on the website, please reach out to our financial controller to verify if we received the donation. Also the mail room will be closed for most of the summer, but we can still receive donations and will check the mail periodically.
When completing a company match application, please enter the following as the organization name:
Friends of Mandarin Immersion Program (FoMIP)
If you noticed that your employer match is not showing up on the website, please reach out to our financial controller to verify if we received the donation. Also the mail room will be closed for most of the summer, but we can still receive donations and will check the mail periodically.
What Does Your Donation Support?
Mandarin classroom teaching materials
Instructional aides in the classroom
Classroom equipment (Chromebooks & SmartBoards) and Chinese learning software
Chinese books and DVDs for the library
Chinese cultural and enrichment activities
Staff training and development
Instructional aides in the classroom
Classroom equipment (Chromebooks & SmartBoards) and Chinese learning software
Chinese books and DVDs for the library
Chinese cultural and enrichment activities
Staff training and development
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Fundraising FAQs
What do instructional assistants / teachers’ aides do? So what if we lose them?
Our teachers’ aides are essential members of our immersion classrooms who provide hands-on language and learning support alongside the classroom teacher. As one kindergarten teacher explains, “our aides support scholars with Mandarin language acquisition, small groups, testing, and read-alouds,” helping ensure “a more equitable learning experience for all students.”
In the early grades, aides “reinforce language support, assist with small group activities, and help students who need extra help with the language,” allowing for smoother transitions and more individualized attention. By second grade, this support becomes even more critical - “students enter with different levels of Mandarin proficiency,” and having an aide “allows for small-group and one-on-one instruction that builds confidence, challenges advanced learners, and strengthens language acquisition for the entire class.”
Without aides, classes of 20+ students would lose the small-group instruction and personalized support that make the Mandarin Immersion Program so effective.
In the early grades, aides “reinforce language support, assist with small group activities, and help students who need extra help with the language,” allowing for smoother transitions and more individualized attention. By second grade, this support becomes even more critical - “students enter with different levels of Mandarin proficiency,” and having an aide “allows for small-group and one-on-one instruction that builds confidence, challenges advanced learners, and strengthens language acquisition for the entire class.”
Without aides, classes of 20+ students would lose the small-group instruction and personalized support that make the Mandarin Immersion Program so effective.
What's the difference between the suggested donation and Donations made at the MIP Gala?
The annual suggested donation is based on the budgeted school needs per student, and assumes full, 100% participation by all families. Other fundraising initiatives like the MIP Gala, our upcoming golf tournament, and other campaigns help close funding gaps when participation falls short. In addition:
- Annual Fundraiser contributions go entirely to achieving the annual fundraising goal.
- Gala spend provides a fun experience or items in return. Net proceeds & fund-a-needs go to annual fundraising.
Over the years the district has covered more, so FoMIP covers less. If FoMIP stopped being reliable and consistent, wouldn’t the district pay more to keep this valuable program?
It’s true that the district now covers some program costs, but FoMIP’s support remains essential to keeping the Mandarin Immersion Program strong and competitive. District funding only provides the baseline, and it doesn’t include the aides and cultural enrichment that makes our program exceptional.
If FoMIP stopped being a consistent funding source, the district is not obligated (or budgeted) to fill the gap. In reality, the program would lose aides, reduce language support, and see larger class sizes or fewer resources. Our reliability allows the district to plan staffing and maintain program quality year after year, ensuring that MIP remains a model of success within the district.
If FoMIP stopped being a consistent funding source, the district is not obligated (or budgeted) to fill the gap. In reality, the program would lose aides, reduce language support, and see larger class sizes or fewer resources. Our reliability allows the district to plan staffing and maintain program quality year after year, ensuring that MIP remains a model of success within the district.
Can I just pay something upfront and not have to hear about fundraising?
We hear you, and the suggested annual donation is designed exactly for this purpose. Families who contribute their full suggested amount upfront are considered fully participating donors for the year. Your early support allows FoMIP to plan ahead with confidence and commit to next year’s aides and other expenses like software, testing, other staffing needs and more on time.
When we fall short of our fundraising goal, we continue efforts throughout the year, including community-wide campaigns and the annual MIP Gala, to close the gap and ensure every classroom has the support it needs.
When we fall short of our fundraising goal, we continue efforts throughout the year, including community-wide campaigns and the annual MIP Gala, to close the gap and ensure every classroom has the support it needs.
What if I can't pay the suggested donation all at once? Can I pay in installments?
Absolutely. Simply go to https://friendsofmip.kindful.com and select Recurring Payments with the cadence and amount that makes sense for your scholars and you.
Why doesn't MIP and PTA combine so we have less fundraising? Other schools have one big fundraiser.
Bergeson is working towards a combined fundraising group once the school fully sunsets the English-only program.
Can we have Bergeson school-wide fundraising transparency - what is spent on what, how much is needed per person? We have MIP, PTA, Science Camp, and class funds, competing for the time, money, and mindshare of all parents.
At Bergeson, several groups raise funds throughout the year, each supporting different aspects of our students’ experience.
Friends of MIP (FoMIP) funds the Mandarin Immersion Program by covering the cost of classroom aides, Mandarin-language materials, and cultural enrichment. The suggested annual donation per student for the 2026 - 2027 school year is:
The annual fundraising campaign fiscal year runs from November 1 - October 31. The FoMIP budget can be found at https://www.friendsofmip.com/budget.html.
The PTA supports school-wide programs such as assemblies, field trips, teacher appreciation, and campus events. Families are encouraged to contribute $25 per student, typically during the August–September membership drive. PTA campaigns include various events and offerings such as the Fun Run, Book fair, birthday marquee, celebration books, and more.
Science Camp fundraising is specific to fifth grade and covers the cost of the overnight camp, including transportation, lodging, and materials. Families generally contribute $400–$500 per student, with fundraising taking place in fall, winter and spring of the fifth-grade year.
Finally, classroom funds support grade-level activities, teacher gifts, and class celebrations, with a typical ask of $25–$50 per student, collected by room parents at the start of the school year.
Friends of MIP (FoMIP) funds the Mandarin Immersion Program by covering the cost of classroom aides, Mandarin-language materials, and cultural enrichment. The suggested annual donation per student for the 2026 - 2027 school year is:
- Bergeson - $550
- Newhart - $450
- Capo Valley - $200
The annual fundraising campaign fiscal year runs from November 1 - October 31. The FoMIP budget can be found at https://www.friendsofmip.com/budget.html.
The PTA supports school-wide programs such as assemblies, field trips, teacher appreciation, and campus events. Families are encouraged to contribute $25 per student, typically during the August–September membership drive. PTA campaigns include various events and offerings such as the Fun Run, Book fair, birthday marquee, celebration books, and more.
Science Camp fundraising is specific to fifth grade and covers the cost of the overnight camp, including transportation, lodging, and materials. Families generally contribute $400–$500 per student, with fundraising taking place in fall, winter and spring of the fifth-grade year.
Finally, classroom funds support grade-level activities, teacher gifts, and class celebrations, with a typical ask of $25–$50 per student, collected by room parents at the start of the school year.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE FOMIP ANNUAL BUDGET?
Go to https://friendsofmip.com/budget for the latest annual budgets.
How can I donate?
Go to https://friendsofmip.kindful.com or make a check out to "Friends of MIP" and drop it off at the Bergeson front office. Thank you for your support!
