Frequently Asked Questions About the Annual Fund
The GDS Annual Giving Program is a school-wide effort that provides vital funds for the School's annual operating budget. Support for the Annual Giving Program comes from two major sources: the Annual Fund and Special Events.
Doesn’t tuition cover all of GDS’s annual operating expenses?
No. Tuition at Georgetown Day School covers only about 90% of the School’s annual expenses. The remaining 10% must be made up from other sources. Independent schools generally rely upon philanthropic gifts and endowment income in addition to tuition revenue to meet annual operating expenses.
What are the major components of the School’s annual operating budget?
Approximately 64% of the annual budget provides salaries and benefits for faculty and staff; another 12% funds student financial assistance. The balance supports curricular programs, equipment, utilities, insurance, maintenance, and other general operating expenses.
What is the Annual Fund?
Gifts to the Annual Fund benefit virtually every aspect of life at GDS: from providing funds toward financial assistance for qualified students and helping to fairly compensate our talented faculty and staff to the purchase of art supplies, laboratory supplies for science instruction, and athletic equipment and the maintenance of our two campuses. Most gifts to the Annual Fund are unrestricted, which means that the donor permits the School to determine the areas of the budget that are most in need of funding. Gifts that are restricted (at the request of the donor) to a specific item in the annual operating budget (i.e., student financial assistance or faculty/staff compensation) are also included in the Annual Fund. The Annual Fund relies on the efforts of volunteers from each of the School’s constituencies to achieve its success.
Who supports the Annual Fund?
Current parents, alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, faculty and staff, and friends of the School who believe in our mission, support our ideals, and recognize the value of a GDS education all contribute to the Annual Fund.
Do corporations support the Annual Fund?
Typically, corporations contribute to independent schools by matching their employees’ gifts. GDS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so you may be able to double or even triple the size of your gift by submitting the appropriate matching gift form (available from your employer) along with your contribution.
What about foundations?
The number of foundations that support annual funds is very small; foundations generally contribute restricted funds for specific projects. The likelihood of designated foundation grants and gifts for GDS is strengthened by evidence of broad participation in the Annual Fund, another reason why participation in the Annual Fund truly does matter.
How can I make my gift to the Annual Fund?
You can make an outright gift at any time or make a pledge to be fulfilled by June 30.
GDS accepts gifts of cash and marketable securities. MasterCard and Visa payments are welcome on the secure GDS website at https://www.gds.org/giving/index.cfm. For additional details, call the Annual Giving Office at 202-295-1068.
In addition to the Annual Fund, what other activities are part of GDS’s Annual Giving Program?
Each year, the GDS community is invited to attend Country Market Day and participate in the Spring Gala and Online Auction. These GDS traditions are organized and run by parent volunteers with help from alumni and faculty/staff and with support from the Development Office. These events help to bring our community together and also provide essential annual support of the School’s financial aid budget.
How much should I give to the Annual Fund and the School’s special events?
Only you can determine that, but please be as generous as possible. It is our hope that every member of the GDS community will choose to participate in the Annual Giving Program. Every gift is important.
If you have any questions about the GDS Annual Giving Program or other fundraising initiatives, please contact the Development Office at 202-295-1068.
Thank you for your support!
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