The TOPS Auction is the largest fundraiser for Friends of TOPS, generating more than 80% of our annual budget. These funds directly support the programs, people, and experiences that make TOPS the unique and vibrant community it is.

Auction dollars help:

• Bridge gaps left by district funding through critical staffing grants

• Support enrichment programs that go beyond basic curriculum

• Advance our social justice mission and inclusive community values

Many of the programs funded through Friends of TOPS provide experiences that are truly distinctive:

K–2 Classroom Assistants
Additional part-time support for kindergarten through 2nd grade - assisting teachers and students during class, recess, and lunchtime.

Robust Music Education
General music for K–3, recorder in 3rd grade, every 4th and 5th grader learning an instrument, plus Middle School Band and Orchestra.

Community Events
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Family Nights, movie nights, and Taste of TOPS - bringing our community together.

Math Agency Intervention
Targeted support for students whose math skills were impacted by pandemic closures.

You can learn more about Friends of TOPS’ budget and fundraising goals here and view the full list of 2025-26 funded programs here.

It truly takes many hands to make the TOPS Auction a success!

There are so many ways to get involved - you can help procure auction items, donate a service or experience, assist with set-up or take-down, pick up donations from local businesses, support online item entry, help with registration during the event, and more.

To volunteer and join the fun, email auction@topsk8.org - we’d love to have you on the team.

Most of all, come to the auction and bring family or friends! Your presence and participation make a meaningful difference for our school.

If you purchased tickets, you will receive an email receipt, though there are no “tickets.” Our team receives your registration information and at the event we will check all guests in at the door. Registering in advance expedites the process!

Please let us know if you purchased tickets and cannot attend, as we provide the venue a guest count 10 days in advance. The ticket cost offsets a portion of the expense of putting on the event, and your donation goes towards covering the cost of staff and other individuals attending free of charge! Email us at auction@topsk8.org. You can still participate in the online silent auction.

You can still be part of the fun and support TOPS!

Our silent auction will be open for online bidding in the week before and the day after the event, with a variety of exciting items available exclusively online. You can also choose to donate or volunteer, even if you’re unable to attend.

Online bidding is a wonderful way to involve extended family and friends who don’t live nearby but would still love to support our school community.

Yes! A variety of unique (and fantastic!) items will be available for online-only bidding during the week before and the day after the live event. We hope this makes it easy for even more TOPS supporters to participate and join the fun.

Information about registering for online-only bidding will be posted in early March.

If you reserve a ticket to attend the live auction, you’ll automatically be registered and will receive an email or text with your personal link to access online bidding.

The Friends of TOPS Equity Fund was created in 2021 to more closely align our fundraising practices with TOPS’ social justice mission. It reflects our belief that all Seattle Public Schools should have the resources needed to provide educational support and enriching opportunities that help students thrive.

While some schools have strong parent fundraising capacity, others do not. The Equity Fund allows our community to share resources more broadly by supporting Seattle schools with limited fundraising ability. Past recipients have included Lowell Elementary and the Southeast Seattle Schools Fundraising Alliance.

Our long-term vision is that the district fully funds the essentials of a great education — and that every school has the ability to provide the additional programs and enrichment opportunities that help students flourish.

You may choose to contribute to the Equity Fund during the auction event or select “Donate to Equity Fund” when giving online.
More information about the Equity Fund can be found here.

Join us at 6:00 PM at The Imperia in Eastlake (just up the street from TOPS!) for an evening of community, connection, and fun in support of our school.

The night will feature a live auction with items available exclusively at the event, along with games, prizes, and a Raise the Paddle moment where we come together to directly support Friends of TOPS and the programs that make our school so special.

Can’t attend in person? Our silent auction will open the week before the event and remain live after the evening concludes, giving everyone an opportunity to bid on incredible items and support our students.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

We encourage you to register in advance to make check-in quick and easy. When you arrive at the event, you’ll check in and receive a bidding number and paddle.

During the live auction, simply raise your paddle to bid on one-of-a-kind experiences, vacation rentals, and other special items. Our auctioneer, Sasha, will also lead our Raise the Paddle moment, when you can lift your paddle to donate at levels between $50 and $10,000. This is when we come together as a community to directly support Friends of TOPS - and where a significant portion of our fundraising happens - so come ready to raise your paddle!

The silent auction will open before the live event and remain open afterward. You can browse and bid on silent auction items online from the comfort of your home. It’s another great way to support TOPS - and take home something wonderful in the process.

There will be plenty of tables and chairs available inside for seating during the auction, along with cocktail tables throughout the space for standing, mingling, and connecting with friends, TOPS staff, and fellow caregivers.

As in previous years, there is no assigned seating or table captains - so feel free to grab a seat, move around, and enjoy the evening with your community.

The Imperia is located just up the street from TOPS on Eastlake Ave — an easy walk from school.

Please note that with current construction in Eastlake, parking may be limited. We encourage carpooling, ride-shares, or taking public transit if possible. The neighborhood is fully accessible via the 70 bus line.

If you’re driving, allow a little extra time to find street parking nearby.

We are committed to making the TOPS Auction welcoming and accessible to everyone.

Please indicate any accommodations you may need when reserving your tickets online. You can also email auction@topsk8.org with any questions or specific requests - we’re happy to help!

ASL interpretation will be provided throughout the event, with two interpreters on site for the duration of the auction. If you need interpretation in another language or additional accommodations, please reach out as soon as possible so we can make arrangements.

Imperia has a couple of sections with a few stairs for which a staff member will be designated to move ramps to ensure accessibility for guests. The ramps are relocated when not in use as they create a trip hazard. Please let us know at the check-in table, so we can coordinate an Imperia point person to make things as seamless as possible for you.

No need - dinner and drinks are included with your ticket, so come hungry and ready to enjoy the evening!

We’ve got you covered!

Most auction activities will wrap up around 8:30–9:00 PM, with food and drinks continuing until 10:00 PM. During the event, TOPS staff (Coach Zack), his girlfriend, Kalia, and up to 4 older middle school students, will host a Gym Party for TOPS kids in the school gym from 5:30–9:00 PM, giving parents a chance to enjoy the evening while kids have fun of their own.

If you’d like to sign up or learn more, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/arG4UbUo1EznxDkf6

For some, this is a fun excuse to dress up; for others, it’s a chance to keep things relaxed. There’s no theme this year - come as you are and join the celebration!

If your gift certificate is a digital certificate, or redemption instructions can be emailed, we will happily resend the information to you. We sympathize if a physical gift certificate has gone missing. Gift certificates have no cash value and will not be replaced in the event that they are lost or stolen as they were donated by businesses or families. If something has gone missing in transit from our team to you, please email us at auction@topsk8.org.