Philanthropy at Aiglon MAKE A LIFE BY WHAT YOU GIVE
"We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give." Winston Churchill
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P H I L A N T H R O P Y AT A I G LO N
What is philanthropy? At Aiglon, we understand philanthropy to be the desire to promote the welfare of others and our world, expressed especially by the generous donation of resources to causes that we value.
A COMMUNITY BUILT ON GENEROSITY Aiglon is a community of students, families, staff, and over 5,600 alumni from around the world who have attended the school since our beginning in 1949. The school has grown upon a foundation of individual and collective generosity which has allowed us to take our place as one of the most distinctive boarding schools in the world. Aiglon's first permanent home was purchased in 1955 with gifts made by parents and friends of founder John Corlette. Since then, a series of key facilities have been realised through philanthropic donations.
NOT-FOR-PROFIT STRUCTURE In 1970 John Corlette began reflecting on how to transform Aiglon into a selfsustaining non-profit organisation. To this end, in 1975 he established the Aiglon College Association (ACA) and shortly before his death he signed over ownership of Aiglon to this Association. The operating company, Aiglon College Services SA (ACSSA) is run on not-for-profit principles; the single share holder is the Association, no individual derives financial benefit, and all surpluses from the ACSSA are reinvested into the school. All fundraising activities go towards accelerating Aiglon's aspirational goals: developing an outstanding campus and making an Aiglon education possible for those with great financial need.
EDUCATION FOR SERVICE AND PHILANTHROPY Our conviction is that a great education prepares young people to be active agents of positive change and service to others and our world. Developing in our students an understanding of philanthropy and their individual and collective capacity to be impactful shapers is therefore a constant thread through an Aiglon education.
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A tradition of philantropic impact Aiglon operates on not-for-profit principles; your gifts take us to new heights, allowing us to direct all our resources towards creating a unique student experience. HOW HAS PHILANTHROPY SHAPED AIGLON’S PAST? In the 1990s teaching provision in sciences, ICT and music were transformed with the creation of the John Corlette Building, funded principally by donations. In 2012 we opened the Tony Jashanmal Sports Centre, also made possible by the generosity of many Aiglon families past and present. These developments have set a new standard for the opportunities available to our students. In the period between 2010 and the present, Aiglon’s policy of providing scholarships to talented and motivated students has blossomed due to the very generous support of individuals who feel passionately about building strength and diversity in our student body. As a result, our learning community has been immeasurably enriched. This depth of engagement with philanthropic action sets us apart distinctly from our peer schools in Switzerland.
HOW CAN PHILANTHROPY HELP TO SHAPE AIGLON’S FUTURE? Aiglon’s careful stewardship of its resources has permitted major investment in upgrading the campus and developing new boarding facilities in recent years. But revenue from tuition fees alone cannot fund transformational projects for major new buildings. As a dynamic and future-focused school, we do not aspire to keep up, but to keep ahead. The school has an exciting campus master plan that provides a vision for an Aiglon “village” that is inspiring, relevant and aligned with our values and priorities. Bringing this plan to life and reality will require significant additional funding. Our bold aspiration is to extend our ability to select students regardless of their ability to pay, allowing us to imagine how an Aiglon education can impact the world in areas where challenges are great and opportunities are limited. We need to engage philanthropists who share our conviction and wish to partner with Aiglon.
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P H I L A N T H R O P Y AT A I G LO N
Clairmont, Aiglon's first permanent home, was funded in 1955 primarily through philanthropic gifts.
One of Aiglon's first Scholars, Koome Gikunda now serves on Aiglon's Board of Directors.
iglon ip at A e to try h s r la o c h "My sc me the chan f. I found en mo a iv e g r s irit so d a h I could body and sp ithout g in h t my any hy! W engage e healt ways to mind could b n't be on the eam t ld y that m t push, I wou y basketball and sit s r tha e e r u iv t n idge U een lec d Cambr . There, betw mmunity an y c a d d n o y I need for to fi I , g studyin s the energ ursue." harnes thing else I p every
The Tony Jashanmal Sports Centre was made possible through the generosity of many.
Ioana Vasilescu (Clairmont, 2020)
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Clockwise from top left: Renovations to Clairmont have enhanced student common areas. SEBA CZ Scholar Patrick Wachira now studying at Middlebury College. The facades of campus buildings are being renovated to give a consistent style to campus. Students plant trees on the Cambodia Service Project. The Centre for Enquiry in the Parsons Building offers individual and small group study areas.
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P H I L A N T H R O P Y AT A I G LO N
How to make a difference
Will you consider becoming an Aiglon philanthropist by supporting one of our key priorities? SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME School leaders throughout Aiglon's history have seen the value of scholarships. In the early 1990s a consistent programme of support was developed. Since 2010 we have accelerated the tempo of the programme and now typically have between 13 and 17 scholars studying at Aiglon. Your gifts help us to build and support a diverse, talented student body. CAMPUS MASTER PLAN Aiglon funds capital projects through a combination of retained income and philanthropic donations. Our ambitious campus master plan provides a roadmap for projects big and small. Your gifts help us reinforce our position as one of the world's leading international boarding schools. GIVING OPPORTUNITIES Various fundraising initiatives run throughout the year. Make an impact by: • Considering a major or transformational gift • Participating in our annual giving campaign (sent by email and post each year in the autumn) • Making a Class Gift upon your child's graduation • Supporting your child's service project • Giving to student led projects • Planning ahead to leave a gift to Aiglon in your will WAYS TO GIVE • Give directly to Aiglon via bank transfer or online • US taxpayers can make tax deductible donations by giving to the Aiglon Fund within the Chapel & York US Foundation • UK taxpayers can benefit from Gift Aid by making a gift to the Aiglon Fund within the Chapel & York UK Foundation
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To find out more email Karen Sandri k.sandri@aiglon.ch or visit:
www.aiglon.ch/howtohelp
Avenue Centrale 61, 1885 Chesières, Switzerland +41 24 496 61 61 www.aiglon.ch