List of 16 frequently asked questions.

• What is the Annual Fund at Collegiate and what does it support?

  The Annual Fund is a fundraising initiative in which Collegiate solicits contributions from the entire Collegiate community. The Annual Fund provides vital resources to help support Collegiate in its mission to provide the very best education to deserving students. We depend on widespread community support to help bridge the budget gap between the price of tuition and the full cost of educating each student. The Annual Fund is essential in covering roughly 10% of the School’s operating budget including: faculty/staff salaries, financial aid, athletics, and the arts. Every student benefits from the dollars raised through the Annual Fund. It is the cornerstone of the School’s fundraising and the foundation for all that we do.

• Is it really important to support the Collegiate School Annual Fund every single year?

  Yes! Consistent giving provides the flexibility we need to address the daily operating costs of the School as well as the ability to respond to the immediate and ongoing needs of our community. In our Annual Report, we recognize donors who have given for five, ten, or twenty consecutive years of giving and we also recognize donors who have increased their gift.

• What are the giving levels?

  Leadership Gift Levels

   

  West End Council*	$50,000 +
  Nieuw Amsterdam Society*	$25,000–$49,999
  Dutchmen Society*	$15,000–$24,999
  Knickerbocker Society*	$10,000–$14,999
  Orange and Blue Circle	$5,000–$9,999
  Red Door Society	$2,500–$4,999
  1628 Associates	$1,628–$2,499

  
  *Flying Moments Society

  All donors who give above $10,000 also become members of the Flying Moments Society, recognizing those who help fund the estimated gap between tuition and the actual cost of educating a Collegiate student.

   

  Additional Gift Levels

  
  

  Dutchman	$250–$1,627
  Young Alumni Circle	$100–$249 (Classes of 2013-2021)

  
  
  
  

   

• What is “the gap” at Collegiate?

  Because tuition only covers only a portion of the cost of educating each child, it creates a “gap” between tuition income and actual costs. The monies raised through the Annual Fund helps bridge this differential and balance Collegiate’s budget. The estimated gap each year is roughly $10,000 per student.

• Can I direct my Annual Fund gift to a specific allocation?

  Yes, you can! We welcome gifts to the Annual Fund in the following areas:

   

  Annual Fund - General need/Unrestricted: allows the School to allocate your generosity to the areas of greatest need.

   

  Annual Fund - Academic Programs

   

  Annual Fund – Student Life & Community (includes athletics; arts; Diversity, Equity, and Belonging; and other extracurricular programs)

   

  Annual Fund - Faculty & Staff Professional Development

   

  Annual Fund - Financial Aid

   

  Annual Fund - General Need/Unrestricted

• If I support the Benefit does it also support the Annual Fund?

  No, it does not. Each spring, the School, in conjunction with the Parents Association, holds the Scholarship Benefit. The Benefit is solicited and supported separately from the Annual Fund.  All of the funds raised by this event directly support the financial aid program, allowing Collegiate to remain accessible to families regardless of their socioeconomic status.

• Who contributes to the Annual Fund?

  We solicit all members of the Collegiate community: current parents, parents of alumni, alumni, grandparents, faculty/staff/administration, and friends.

• Why do I need to contribute to the Annual Fund – isn’t tuition enough?

  Tuition alone does not cover the full costs of educating each student; we hope that by setting tuition at this level it helps make a Collegiate education more affordable for a wider range of families. The Annual Fund raises the additional financial resources necessary to balance the School’s annual budget.

• Why is participation important?

  Annual giving to the School demonstrates our shared sense of responsibility in sustaining Collegiate’s mission. Participation from across the Collegiate community is fundamental to the success of the Annual Fund; it is a measure of our strength and an endorsement from our community.

• Are gifts to Collegiate tax deductible?

  Yes, Collegiate is a 501(c)(3) organization under the Federal IRS code. All contributions to the Annual Fund are tax deductible. All donors receive an acknowledgement letter stating their gift amount, date of gift, and a statement that no goods or services were provided in exchange for the donation.

• How much should I give?

  The entire Collegiate community is asked to contribute to the best of their ability. We hope that parents will make Collegiate a philanthropic priority while their child(ren) attend the School and contribute as much as they are able. It is our hope alumni will recognize the critical importance Collegiate played in their success and will support the School’s ability to provide a similar opportunity for those who follow. Contributions to the Annual Fund typically range from $5-$50,000 and above. Each gift brings us closer to reaching our annual goal and gifts of all sizes are appreciated.

• When can I make a gift?

  You can make your gift any time before the closing date, June 30.

• Why doesn’t Collegiate raise tuition instead of fundraising?

  The School is committed to having a community that is socioeconomically diverse. To that end, raising tuition to cover the total cost of educating each student would be cost prohibitive for many families.

• If I can't make a large gift, does a small gift really make a difference?

  Yes! The School values every gift regardless of the size. No gift to the Annual Fund is too great or too small; all gifts make a difference, help us reach our financial goals, and ensure Collegiate’s future.

• We already volunteer; can our gift of time count towards participation?

  Collegiate values the incredible gift of time and talent from our all members of our community. However, the School relies on financial support of the Annual Fund to achieve our goals and keep tuition as low as possible and competitive with our peer schools. A participatory gift of any amount is appreciated.

• What is the Senior Gift and why is it so important?

  The Senior Class Gift is often an endowed fund with a specific purpose honoring the graduating class while also creating a meaningful legacy at the School. Each year, families of the graduating class are asked to contribute to the Senior Class Gift. Senior families will not be solicited for the Annual Fund. All contributions to the Senior Gift will be credited to the Annual Fund for participation purposes.