Annual Giving Program Q & A

Q: What is the Annual Giving Program?

A: The Annual Giving Program is a tax-deductible opportunity for parents, alumni, grandparents, past-parents, and friends to support teaching and learning —what goes on in the classroom every day. A contribution to the Schoolhouse Annual Fund is the first and most important gift we ask of every alumnus, parent, and friend.

Your gifts to the Annual Fund make the following possible:

• Innovative and challenging academic and arts programs;
• New technology program with increased access to computer programs and higher-level learning opportunities;
• Recruitment and retention of a talented faculty by offering competitive salaries and benefits;
• Affordable tuition for qualified students of all economic levels;
• Small class sizes designed to give teachers the opportunity to show individual attention;
• Art supplies and books and resource materials for the library;
• Multi-faceted activities programs

Q: Why is my participation so important?

A: The Schoolhouse needs every member of our community to make a gift to the Annual Fund. A high rate of participation is an important measure of the breadth of concern and involvement by the School community and decisions by foundations and corporations to support our School are positively influenced by such strong, broad support. Depending on individual financial circumstances, contributions vary from $5 to $10,000 or more. We ask that each family give as generously as possible within his or her means. The Schoolhouse needs and appreciates gifts of every size.

Q: Independent schools are expensive. Why must money be raised every year in addition to tuition?

A: To broaden accessibility, the Schoolhouse Board of Directors sets tuition below the cost of educating each student. As a new non-profit, we will rely on the Annual Giving program and income from grants to help provide program enhancement and bridge the gap between tuition income and operating expenses. Tax-deductible gifts to the Annual Fund promote accessibility by helping to balance the budget and moderate tuition increases while enabling the Schoolhouse to attract the best faculty and to compete for talented students.

Q: What is a matching gift?

A: Matching gifts are often available from employer’s matching gift programs. Please take the time to ask the Human Resources Office if your employer has one.

For more information please call 323-465-1320.