Fundraising/capital campaigns question

[Anonymous]

Our oldest starts kindergarten next year so we’re new to all this. I see the face rate tuition for these different schools but I’m curious about the expectations, tacit or otherwise, around school fundraising/capital campaigns.

Are donations optional? Expected? If the latter, will the school share their expectations?

[Anonymous]

Donations are expected but optional. They will never suggest an amount. Some people give nothing, some people give $1,000,000.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Donations are expected but optional. They will never suggest an amount. Some people give nothing, some people give $1,000,000.

In my experience, they will often reach out individually and suggest an amount range. You need not follow it.

[Anonymous]

We give $150. DC’s friend’s parents anchored a major giving campaign with a $50,000 matching gift plus a separate donation. Pick what works for you. It’s nice to give something, even if small, because schools often have participation percentage goals as well as dollar goals, so if you can’t give much you can still contribute to the participation goal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Donations are expected but optional. They will never suggest an amount. Some people give nothing, some people give $1,000,000.

In my experience, they will often reach out individually and suggest an amount range. You need not follow it.

How does a conversation like that go? haha like we Googled you and ran your stats through an algorithm and this is what we think we can squeeze you for? A delicate conversation by the sound of it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Donations are expected but optional. They will never suggest an amount. Some people give nothing, some people give $1,000,000.

In my experience, they will often reach out individually and suggest an amount range. You need not follow it.

How does a conversation like that go? haha like we Googled you and ran your stats through an algorithm and this is what we think we can squeeze you for? A delicate conversation by the sound of it

If you are full pay tuition, you are already paying more than the average.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Donations are expected but optional. They will never suggest an amount. Some people give nothing, some people give $1,000,000.

In my experience, they will often reach out individually and suggest an amount range. You need not follow it.

How does a conversation like that go? haha like we Googled you and ran your stats through an algorithm and this is what we think we can squeeze you for? A delicate conversation by the sound of it

It’s so awkward. They usually ask to meet in person for coffee or whatever to discuss some “exciting” project, so at least you see it coming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Donations are expected but optional. They will never suggest an amount. Some people give nothing, some people give $1,000,000.

In my experience, they will often reach out individually and suggest an amount range. You need not follow it.

How does a conversation like that go? haha like we Googled you and ran your stats through an algorithm and this is what we think we can squeeze you for? A delicate conversation by the sound of it

If you are full pay tuition, you are already paying more than the average.

That's a good line of reasoning to keep in the back pocket during a coffee chat haha

[Anonymous]

I was shocked to receive a letter in the mail (and subsequent email) asking for a specific amount. We are new this year, and although I'm an alum that has given since graduating, the amount suggested was a 20-25x increase over what I have given in the past. I was somewhat insulted and taken aback.
My friend who works in development (not at the school) was surprised at the tactic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was shocked to receive a letter in the mail (and subsequent email) asking for a specific amount. We are new this year, and although I'm an alum that has given since graduating, the amount suggested was a 20-25x increase over what I have given in the past. I was somewhat insulted and taken aback.
My friend who works in development (not at the school) was surprised at the tactic.

When they ask for a specific amount, I decrease what I give from the prior year. I suggest you do the same.

[Anonymous]

We’ve never once been asked for a specific amount. I guess it helps that we can barely afford tuition. We give $100-200.

[Anonymous]

We've never been asked a specific amount, although they do bug us (by text and email) until we give something. We usually donate around $250 and no one complains.

[Anonymous]

We give $300 on the first day of the campaign each year. It wards off the awkward phone calls and emails.

[Anonymous]

Itemize where the funds are going to instead of donating to a slush fund. If the school is advertising the annual fund is going to “improving. Teacher salary”, write that in the notes section. Do t leave your donation to chance.

[Anonymous]

We give. No suggested amount (although this is a common fundraising tactic that doesn't really bother me). I think in years past, there had been "tiers" and we always gave at the bottom of the highest one, but I noticed this year our school got rid of those too.

We gave $2500. Many give $100. Some give much more. I would say a donation is expected (schools aim for 100% participation) but it need not be a huge amount.