Boost My School, a fundraising platform specifically designed for K-12 educational institutions, has announced that it has secured $10 million in funding to transform the way advancement teams engage with their communities and increase revenue from donations and fundraising events. This latest funding round was led by High Alpha, with previous investments from Far Out VC, ground game, Allos Ventures, and strategic angel investors, including Scot Chisholm, the founder of Classy, which was acquired by GoFundMe in 2022.
After experiencing the need to write a check to donate to his former high school math team, Boost CEO and Founder Holman Gao endeavored to develop a more convenient method for schools to engage their communities. Currently, the Boost platform offers a customized solution that streamlines procedures and enables schools to raise funds that directly support their operational budgets, scholarships, financial aid, and staff benefits.
By integrating fundraising workflows—spanning annual giving, reunions, auctions, golf outings, and giving days—Boost empowers advancement teams to operate efficiently at scale while fostering stronger community relationships.
Boost’s platform, which has been accepted into Blackbaud’s Social Good Startup Program and accelerator, has already demonstrated positive outcomes for its clients:
— Serving hundreds of schools, with year-over-year growth doubling.
— Assisting schools in raising over $100 million during the last academic year, including facilitating giving days and auctions that generated over $1 million.
This recent investment will enable Boost to further focus on K-12 advancement teams, expand its team, and enhance its comprehensive platform, designed to simplify and amplify school fundraising efforts.
KEY QUOTES:
“I started Boost to help my high school fundraise in a modern way — to give them the resources and purpose-built solution K-12 advancement teams need to fundraise like larger institutions. Boost levels the playing field, providing schools with an innovative, intuitive platform and suite of tools they need to raise funds efficiently and focus on what matters most: supporting their students’ futures.”
Boost CEO and Founder Holman Gao
“With the strategic leadership of our annual giving team, we’ve been able to transform our fundraising approach. Boost has been a valuable partner in that work. The platform is uniquely designed for the needs of K-12 schools and has helped us create a seamless experience for donors. We’re now working more efficiently, engaging more donors and making better use of our time and tools.”
Meredith Robbins, chief advancement officer at Polytechnic School
“Boost is revolutionizing fundraising for K-12 advancement teams. Their ability to streamline fundraising for this underserved market is critical for the long-term success of these institutions. We’re thrilled to invest in Holman and the team as they scale and continue to deliver exceptional value to schools nationwide.”
High Alpha Partner and Co-Founder Mike Fitzgerald
