What are the benefits of large donations to the annual fund?

[Anonymous]

We are on FA at a DC private, and can only make a modest donation to the annual fund. For those that give large donations, other than the sense of support and connectedness to the school, what are the benefits that you receive?

[Anonymous]

You know you are going to get mostly snarky replies here, right OP?

[Anonymous]

Above a certain level of giving you get invited to special parties often with other big donors and the head of school. Really just a thank you opportunity for the school in a small setting.

[Anonymous]

We make charitable donations every year and like to feel some connections to those places we donate money. So we've always donated to our kids' schools (and various other organizations and charities)

[Anonymous]

You don't get anything in particular unless you give enough to have a building named after you or the likes.

[Anonymous]

How much does a family contribute? I can only afford about $500 a piece for each my children.

[Anonymous]

A sibling gets in when you apply.

[Anonymous]

We get FA. I gave $50. The reason we need FA is because we don't have enough money to contribute generously to the annual fund. I do try to be super helpful at the school. I have a particular skill set that is unique and useful in a school and I make sure to volunteer in that area as much as possible. They seem to really appreciate that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much does a family contribute? I can only afford about $500 a piece for each my children.

They will appreciate that. A lot of what they are looking for is about showing a high percentage of current families contribute -- this is something that shows potential alumni donors, for example, that current families have a strong connection to the school.

[Anonymous]

By "large," I would put a number of $25,000 before the school (big-5 anyway) would really view a family in a different light. Sure, you'll get invited to the "big donor" annual party if you give $5,000 or so, but I don't see a school viewing the family differently until the number hits at least $25,000. Some might say more like $100,000 and up. If you're giving $250,000 per year to the annual fund or endowment, sure the school will think harder than usual before denying admission to a sibling; but if you give $10,000 per year or less, not so much thought needed. In the latter case, your sibling applicant probably gets about the same consideration bump as a family that gives just $500 or $1,000. I'm no insider -- I just see that there are lots and lots of families that give at the $2,500-10,000 level annually, but only a few that are in the $50,000 and up zone.

Still, what the school really wants to see too, on top of a core of 50-100 largish donors, is participation among all families in the annual fund. So the fact that even the biggest FA recipients give something - even just $50 - is a big deal.

[Anonymous]

At my school I have the perception that the bigest donors are the ones that run the PTA or PSA or P... whatever is called the parent association / group.

[Anonymous]

Nah, the PTA is making polite requests to those 5% of families to fund this month's event. The golf tournament, the auction, etc. etc. Those ladies field solicitation emails and phone calls and don't have to do any of the heavy lifting that more middle of the road Moms handle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nah, the PTA is making polite requests to those 5% of families to fund this month's event. The golf tournament, the auction, etc. etc. Those ladies field solicitation emails and phone calls and don't have to do any of the heavy lifting that more middle of the road Moms handle.

Interesting. But.... They might not "chair".. But they "lead".....

[Anonymous]

The more participation the better. Higher parent participation affects ability to get grants etc. Even $20 is better than nothing. I think schools could do a better job of explaining how important the participation level is, regardless of amount given.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We get FA. I gave $50. The reason we need FA is because we don't have enough money to contribute generously to the annual fund. I do try to be super helpful at the school. I have a particular skill set that is unique and useful in a school and I make sure to volunteer in that area as much as possible. They seem to really appreciate that.

This is our situation and what we plan to do as well.