Tucson School for the Blind Held Fundraiser
The community gathered at Jojo's Restaurant to support the school following the closure of a state campus.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Philanthropy
Live Poll
Should local communities prioritize fundraising to support new schools in their area?
The Tucson School for the Blind held a community fundraiser at Jojo's Restaurant in Old Town Tucson to benefit its inaugural class. The event provided financial support for a new local educational option following recent state campus closures.
Why it matters
The school was established to restore local enrollment options for students after the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind moved its campus to Oro Valley. This fundraiser helps secure resources and learning technology for the new institution.
The fundraiser collected a $450 check and $200 in additional contributions, representing 10 percent of the restaurant's proceeds. The event follows the layoff of 60 employees during the closure of the previous state campus earlier this year.
The players
Kate Scally Howell
She is the founder of the Tucson School for the Blind.
Marcy Albert
She served as the organizer for the fundraising event held at Jojo's Restaurant.
Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind
This state institution relocated its primary Tucson operations to Oro Valley earlier this year.
The details
Marcy Albert organized the fundraiser at Jojo's Restaurant after contacting founder Kate Scally Howell to support the school's opening week. The proceeds are specifically designated to assist with the procurement of necessary learning technology and classroom resources.
Timeline
The Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind closed its Tucson campus earlier in 2026.
The fundraiser occurred on August 4, 2026.
The school held its inaugural week of classes in October 2026.
Market Landscape
The establishment of this new private school follows the consolidation of state services to Oro Valley, which reduced local educational access. This shift highlights a trend of community organizations stepping in to fill infrastructure voids left by state-level institutional downsizing.
Local supporters can engage with ongoing fundraising efforts at restaurants like Jojo's that host weekly events. These contributions directly impact the availability of specialized learning technology for students attending the new school.
The takeaway
The successful fundraiser highlights how grassroots organizing can bridge the gap in specialized services for students. Community-driven financial support is essential for new schools to maintain operations and provide necessary resources after state budget realignments.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to support education in Tucson Philanthropy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Arizona Public Media.
Live Poll
Should local communities prioritize fundraising to support new schools in their area?
