Annual Fund Donations

[Anonymous]

What's a typical amount to donate to an independent school's annual fund? In case it makes a difference, we're in our first year at the school, paying full tuition, and have one child in one of the very youngest grades. I donate a small amount to all my own alma maters mostly so that they can count me towards % participation, but am new to donating as a current family where other factors are in play (not to say we're trying to buy favor by any means, but obviously that happens at some level of donation). We're not in a position to be top tier donors either way, and I'm mostly wondering what's typical or acceptable.

[Anonymous]

We donate $250-$500. No one has ever mentioned it or complained or treated our son differently.

(We give lots of money charitably, including substantially more to my other child's special needs school. I just don't think fancy private schools are my top philanthropic priority)

[Anonymous]

There is no "typical"

At the very least, they would like as much participation as possible. Families on financial aid will donate 100 or 250 dollars.

Some families will give tens of thousands per year, and others a few hundred. They main ask, for families who can afford it, is to cover the "gap" between tuition and what the education actually costs - usually a few thousand dollars, but really whatever you are comfortable with is appreciated.

[Anonymous]

PP. Thanks. By gap, are you saying nearly $40K tuition does not cover the actual full cost of child's education?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP. Thanks. By gap, are you saying nearly $40K tuition does not cover the actual full cost of child's education?

My thoughts exactly. Some of these schools need to get rid of a lot of administrative blo at if $40-55 K isn't covering costs.

[Anonymous]

At most of these schools, at least for high school, if you give at a certain level you get invited to an event for top donors. At my older kids’ schools, I think this was $2500. For my current high schooler, $5000. Not saying you need to do that, just relaying information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP. Thanks. By gap, are you saying nearly $40K tuition does not cover the actual full cost of child's education?

My thoughts exactly. Some of these schools need to get rid of a lot of administrative blo at if $40-55 K isn't covering costs.

I'd be curious to know which admin jobs you think are expendable. Serious question from an administrator. Parents have ever-increasing expectations. That ramped way up during the pandemic and will never level off, from what I can tell. More wellness counselors, more individualized attention on college, more education support, more frequent conversations with admin about programs and their student, more frequent and highly detailed communications, more frequent community gatherings, more athletics social media boosterism, more alumni networking opportunities, more, more, more.

No, tuition won't cover it all. But fortunately, many in your school community are contributing enough to cover the gap for you. They are less motivated to do that when they feel they're carrying the load for others who can but will not donate. So please join in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP. Thanks. By gap, are you saying nearly $40K tuition does not cover the actual full cost of child's education?

In many cases, probably not all cases, Yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At most of these schools, at least for high school, if you give at a certain level you get invited to an event for top donors. At my older kids’ schools, I think this was $2500. For my current high schooler, $5000. Not saying you need to do that, just relaying information.

Oh great. And at these “events for top donors,” you will be asked to give even more! Sounds like so much fun!

[Anonymous]

[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP. Thanks. By gap, are you saying nearly $40K tuition does not cover the actual full cost of child's education?

My thoughts exactly. Some of these schools need to get rid of a lot of administrative blo at if $40-55 K isn't covering costs.

I'd be curious to know which admin jobs you think are expendable. Serious question from an administrator. Parents have ever-increasing expectations. That ramped way up during the pandemic and will never level off, from what I can tell. More wellness counselors, more individualized attention on college, more education support, more frequent conversations with admin about programs and their student, more frequent and highly detailed communications, more frequent community gatherings, more athletics social media boosterism, more alumni networking opportunities, more, more, more.

No, tuition won't cover it all. But fortunately, many in your school community are contributing enough to cover the gap for you. They are less motivated to do that when they feel they're carrying the load for others who can but will not donate. So please join in.

OK I’ll bite. The new DEI office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP. Thanks. By gap, are you saying nearly $40K tuition does not cover the actual full cost of child's education?

My thoughts exactly. Some of these schools need to get rid of a lot of administrative blo at if $40-55 K isn't covering costs.

I'd be curious to know which admin jobs you think are expendable. Serious question from an administrator. Parents have ever-increasing expectations. That ramped way up during the pandemic and will never level off, from what I can tell. More wellness counselors, more individualized attention on college, more education support, more frequent conversations with admin about programs and their student, more frequent and highly detailed communications, more frequent community gatherings, more athletics social media boosterism, more alumni networking opportunities, more, more, more.

No, tuition won't cover it all. But fortunately, many in your school community are contributing enough to cover the gap for you. They are less motivated to do that when they feel they're carrying the load for others who can but will not donate. So please join in.

I’d start with the development staff.

You’re an administrator. You’re leading an organization that sells a luxury good. It is your job to figure out how to do that with the budget you have. Condescending to parents who expect this - especially when many of them run companies that must perform at a high level while managing costs - is pretty arrogant. People don’t want to donate to organizations that treat their concerns as demanding and unreasonable.

These are customers who are already paying an obscene price for a product they aren’t thrilled with, and you’re telling them they should just be quiet and give you more money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP. Thanks. By gap, are you saying nearly $40K tuition does not cover the actual full cost of child's education?

My thoughts exactly. Some of these schools need to get rid of a lot of administrative blo at if $40-55 K isn't covering costs.

I'd be curious to know which admin jobs you think are expendable. Serious question from an administrator. Parents have ever-increasing expectations. That ramped way up during the pandemic and will never level off, from what I can tell. More wellness counselors, more individualized attention on college, more education support, more frequent conversations with admin about programs and their student, more frequent and highly detailed communications, more frequent community gatherings, more athletics social media boosterism, more alumni networking opportunities, more, more, more.

No, tuition won't cover it all. But fortunately, many in your school community are contributing enough to cover the gap for you. They are less motivated to do that when they feel they're carrying the load for others who can but will not donate. So please join in.

I’d start with the development staff.

You’re an administrator. You’re leading an organization that sells a luxury good. It is your job to figure out how to do that with the budget you have. Condescending to parents who expect this - especially when many of them run companies that must perform at a high level while managing costs - is pretty arrogant. People don’t want to donate to organizations that treat their concerns as demanding and unreasonable.

These are customers who are already paying an obscene price for a product they aren’t thrilled with, and you’re telling them they should just be quiet and give you more money.

+1000

How about the luxury international trips that groups of students took during the recent break, many at free ir reduced cost to the families, because they are on financial aid? Why is this necessary?

[Anonymous]

OP - when choosing to give, remember you may be asked to up your donation annually....which, or course, you don't have to do. But if you are inclined to do so, consider how many years left you will be at the school when you choose your starting amount.

[Anonymous]

Not OP but same scenario except with a younger child we will be applying for next year. Does the amount we give impact our younger child’s chance for admission? We are told this school (referred to on this board as a very top school) has sibling preference in pre-K only so that’s when we will be applying for her.

[Anonymous]

Get $0, if they want more they can increase tuition.