Crescent School is committed to forward-thinking progress in both curriculum development and the physical spaces where we learn and come together as a community. This is essential as we meet evolving educational needs and maintain institutional excellence.
The Crescent Diploma, which began its rollout in 2022/2023, is one case in point. It exemplifies the relevant and future-ready knowledge, characterinfused curriculum, and signature experiences that make a Crescent education distinct, and prepares our graduates for a changing world.
In a similar spirit of progress, the Our Way Forward campaign, launched this spring, underscores our unwavering commitment to advancing our mission. The campaign focuses on community spaces to
better meet our needs and endowed financial assistance to broaden access so more deserving boys can benefit from a Crescent education for generations to come.
Crescent is well-positioned to meet the needs of the future. This report celebrates the profound generosity of our community. It shines a light on the impact that philanthropy has on our school and our students as we work together to advance our mission.
$1.1 million in Parent Annual Giving
$5.3 million in Major Gift Commitments
$4.8 million in Total Cash and Pledges Realized 2023/2024
A MESSAGE FROM MICHAEL FELLIN P ’24
HEADMASTER
This year has been a testament to the dynamism that defines our school—a place that never sits still, where tradition and progress go hand in hand, and where our commitment to developing boys of promise into men of character continues to evolve in inspiring ways.
This year we launched Our Way Forward, a $65 million fundraising campaign that will have a transformative impact on our school. With your support, we are strengthening the very foundation of our community. Our Way Forward will bring to life a new community hall, a welcoming new entranceway for Lower and Upper School students, additional spaces where students, faculty and staff can collaborate, and a significant expansion of our endowment that funds student financial assistance. These initiatives are not merely enhancements—they are investments in the experiences, connections, and opportunities that make Crescent extraordinary.
My profound thanks go to the dedicated volunteers who lead our committees that make this work possible. As Chair of the Crescent Foundation, Lesley Marks P’21, ’23 continues to demonstrate strategic thinking and financial acumen that are vital in shaping the foundation’s impact and enduring success. We welcomed John Reucassel ’87, P’19, ’24, ’27 as Chair of the Development Committee, a role he took over from George Mavroudis P’18, ’26. These individuals set the standard for what true servant leadership looks like. Their vision and dedication have been instrumental in guiding our ambitious Our Way Forward campaign.
Your belief in our mission empowers us to prepare our boys not just for success in their future endeavours, but for lives of character and purpose. Thank you for walking alongside us as we chart this exciting course forward.
With gratitude, Michael Fellin P’24
LOUGHEED
Crescent has played a pivotal role in who I am and will continue to influence the person I will become.
I can confidently say that, regardless of generational differences, Crescent has a similar impact on every boy who walks the school’s halls. Each year presents new challenges and opportunities, and I would like to take this chance to recognize the incredible success we’ve had in 2023/2024. We publicly launched the Our Way Forward campaign and we couldn’t be more thrilled with its progress. This would not have been possible without the support we received from donors through Major Gift donations, Parent Annual Giving, Alumni Reunion Giving, gifts to the capital projects and to the endowment, expendable gifts, legacy gifts and everything in between.
In addition to the funds raised for the capital projects of the campaign, we’ve been able to grow our Endowment fund to $26.9 million. This year, 47 deserving boys were supported through Student Financial Assistance and even more will benefit in the future. I am also particularly grateful to my Crescent brothers for their support in the naming rights for the Alumni Community Hall, a space at the heart of our campus that will nurture and celebrate the spirit of community that defines Crescent School.
This is an incredibly exciting time and I am eternally grateful for the alumni, parents, grandparents, and friends of Crescent who have contributed to our many causes.
Wendy Jacobs, Associate Director of Alumni Relations
Barb Shearer, Senior Development Officer, Annual Giving and Stewardship
Claire van Nostrand, Development and Major Gifts Officer
Anna Melnychuk, Advancement Services and Database Coordinator
Zoë Hynec, Parent Relations & Event Coordinator
Marketing and Communications
Lynda Torneck, Director of Marketing and Communications
Kristin Foster, Marketing and Communications Specialist
Karenna Boychuk, Graphic Designer and Visual Documentarian
Enrolment
Richard Vissers, Director of Enrolment and Financial Assistance
Merrick David, Assistant Director of Enrolment
Brandi Parrent, Coordinator, Enrolment Associate
A MESSAGE FROM LESLEY MARKS P’21, ’23
CHAIR OF THE CRESCENT SCHOOL FOUNDATION
As of June 30, 2024, the Crescent School Foundation’s endowment stands at $26.9 million.
Over the past year, both equities and bonds performed well as markets responded favourably to the resilience of the US economy and moderating inflation trends. Bond prices moved up modestly and were boosted by the start of central bank easing in several regions around the world. The Bank of Canada moved decisively to lower its policy rate to support a slowing Canadian economy. Conversely, equities experienced much stronger returns with global equities skyrocketing almost 25% in Canadian dollars. With a balanced portfolio of bonds and Canadian and Global equities, the Crescent School Foundation investment portfolio experienced strong overall investment returns for the year.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, 2023/2024 contributions were directed toward key initiatives of the Our Way Forward campaign, including capital projects and Student Financial Assistance. A special thank you goes to the Class of 2024 parents, who raised an impressive $71,769 in support of endowed Student Financial Assistance.
Over this period, the Foundation disbursed $1,107,702 to support various School programs with approximately 82% directed to needs-based Student Financial Assistance. This annual disbursement continues in perpetuity ensuring critical funding to key programmatic areas that directly benefit our students.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors regularly reviews financial reports on both a quarterly and annual basis, ensuring that the Foundation’s policies align with its mandate and that assets are preserved and grown for future generations.
As Chair of The Crescent School Foundation, I would like to extend my thanks to the Advancement and Finance teams at Crescent School for their dedication to the Foundation’s success, as well as to my fellow Directors for their ongoing commitment to safeguarding and expanding the endowment.
Sincerely,
Lesley Marks P’21, ’23
2023/2024
Foundation Board
Foundation Directors
Lesley Marks P’21, ’23, Chair
Dominique Barker P’25
Geoff Bertram P’30
Rita Caporiccio P’17,’20
Liz Chow, P’27
Christopher John P’26
Bob Livingston P’02, ’05, ’07
Jay McConnell ’12
Jeremy Millard ’95
W. Ian Palm ’85
Jonathan Pollack ’89, P’23, ’25
Nicholas Warwick ’06
Officers
Andy Feng, Treasurer, Director of Finance
Kathryn Foster, Secretary, Director of Development
Ex-Officio
Michael Fellin P’24, Headmaster
Jamie Coulter ’87, P’21, Chair of the Board of Governors
In 2024, Crescent launched the Our Way Forward campaign, an exciting $65 million dollar project designed to promote community, identity, and the Crescent legacy.
This past year was my first as Chair of the Development Committee. Our committee continues to build upon the fantastic work initiated by former Chair George Mavroudis P’18, ’26. I am thrilled to announce that we have achieved just over 90% of our $65 million campaign goal thanks to the School’s remarkable fundraising endeavours. Our Parent Annual Giving program continues to thrive and is recognized as one of the best among Canadian independent schools. This year alone, $1.1 million was raised by parents through this program. Our Major Gift fundraising had a fantastic year as well, accumulating over $5 million, with funds being allocated to the Master Campus Plan and Student Financial Assistance.
We are focusing our Alumni fundraising efforts on the naming rights for our new community hall, a place where students and staff can gather to eat, work, and learn together. With this in mind, we have set the goal of raising $3 million towards the project. As an alumnus, I am touched to see the generosity of our Crescent brothers, who last year raised over $1.2 million for the Master Campus Plan.
This couldn’t be a more exciting time at Crescent. The new additions that will soon be a part of campus will make our school an even livelier place for everyone in the Crescent family. As a father who has seen firsthand the power of a Crescent education, I extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed to our campaign, our future success is also yours. With your ongoing support, we can continue shaping our boys of promise to become outstanding men of character.
Sincerely,
John Reucassel ’87, P’19, ’24, ’27
2023/2024 Development Committee
John Reucassel ’87, P’19, ’24, ’27, Chair
Rose Campione P’23
Rita Caporiccio P’17, ’20
Christene DeGasperis P’24
Jessica Howe P’27
Bob Macdonald ’85, P’13, ’17, ’29
Jonathan Pollack ’89, P’23, ’25
Cee Cee Robertson, P’20, ’28
Steven Rosenhek P’21, ’25
Kevin Teng P’23, ’24
Henry Zhao P’23, ’25
Ex-Officio
Jamie Coulter ’87 P’21, Chair of the Board of Governors
Paul and Angela Simcox have witnessed the power of Crescent’s education firsthand on their three boys who attend the school: Aidan ‘26, Nathan ‘28, and Emerson ‘34. Seeing the impact the school has had on their children, the family chose to support the Our Way Forward campaign, making a pledge in 2021 and an additional commitment in 2024. Paul also gives back to Crescent through his involvement on the Board of Governors and Facilities Committee.
THE SIMCOX FAMILY
DONOR PROFILE
“We believe it is rare to find an educational institution that has chosen a ‘way forward’ based on character and integrity. We are grateful that our children are educated on this foundation, and grateful to contribute to this mission. Crescent’s character approach has created sincere friendships for our children and ourselves and means a lot to our family.
The school relies on the support of our parents and alumni to grow its economic stability and standards deserving of its mission. Taking steps forward to protect and enhance Crescent’s ability to deliver for both current families and future generations is an important responsibility.
We are confident our donations and donations given by others will inspire more parents and alumni to participate with conviction. Finally, most personally and simply, we hope our contributions inspire our own children to do the same for their children in the future.”
Paul & Angela Simcox
IMPACT
Our Way Forward is the most ambitious fundraising effort in Crescent’s history. The $65 million campaign will forever change the face of Crescent and benefit our boys for generations to come.
Funds raised for the campaign will support four campaign priorities including a new community hall, the Lower and Upper School entrance, a student commons, and growing our endowment, which fuels our Student Financial Assistance program.
Thanks to our campaign donors, we were able to acquire the Bob Rumball property, which will provide the school with an additional seven acres of space and unlimited growth potential. While its development is reserved for a future campaign, securing the only bordering parcel of land was a crowning early achievement of this current fundraising effort.
Since 2016, over 180 families have supported the Our Way Forward campaign through a major gift of $25,000 or above. This year alone, we were able to raise $6.4M through major gift fundraising and Parent Annual Giving combined. We achieved 90% of our $65 million campaign goal by the end of the 2023/2024 school year, and we are tremendously grateful to the current and past parents, grandparents, and alumni who share in our vision of the future. With extensive campus enhancements and opportunities for our boys, it represents the next evolution for Crescent School.
Community is an integral part of the Crescent experience and something that the Singer family knows very well. Scott Singer ’98 and Mia Singer, President of the CPA, are parents to William ’25 and Teddy ’29. With their generous contribution, further strides were made toward the Alumni naming rights for the community hall, a place for boys present and future to nourish their bodies and souls, and form bonds that will last a lifetime.
THE SINGER FAMILY
DONOR PROFILE
“The announcement of the Alumni Community Hall Project brought us forward; as a former student, I recognized that the dining facilities had not changed since my time at the school. We believe there is a tremendous benefit to creating a new space where students can retreat midday while developing important social skills over a meal.
Our children enjoy many areas of the school my generation never had. If it were not for those families who chose to continue to invest in the school after I left, my children and your children wouldn’t benefit from the facilities they enjoy today.
Every generation of Crescent students has a duty to invest in the next, as did those who preceded us. This is how we can ensure a prospering student experience for generations to come. Our family’s gift to those who come after our boys is the Alumni Community Hall.”
Mia and Scott Singer
IMPACT
Community is a central part of the Crescent experience, and our school is a place where boys build bonds that last a lifetime.
A warm and welcoming space for our students to spend their time—whether that be sharing a meal together or working on school projects—can facilitate these bonds. One of the priorities of the Our Way Forward campaign is a new, state-of-the-art community hall, which will become the very heart of our campus.
More than a dining hall, it will be a glowing beacon that nurtures and celebrates the spirit of community that defines Crescent School. The community hall will provide much-needed space for the over 1,000 students and staff to enjoy lunch each day. Generously scaled with soaring ceilings and expansive windows, it will be an inspiring space for students to enjoy lunch and social interactions. As the only GTA school with a full-service lunch program included in tuition, Crescent warrants such a grand space.
We set out to raise $3 million from our alumni community for the naming rights to the community hall, and we are proud to announce we’ve nearly reached half of our target goal, with the fund sitting at $1.2 million by June 2024. Alumni who donate $5,000 or more will be recognized with a special donor plaque. The future Alumni Community Hall will pay tribute to the Crescent brothers who have generously donated to the endeavour. Together, they celebrate the rich history and bright future of Crescent School.
JEREMY MILLARD ’95
DONOR PROFILE
Jeremy Millard ’95 graduated from Crescent and went on to earn degrees from Yale, Oxford, and the University of Toronto’s Law School. Before taking on his present role as Senior Legal Director at Uber Canada, Jeremy had a successful career as a commercial and civil litigator. A former recipient of financial assistance while at Crescent, today Jeremy is a proud donor to the program.
“I was at Crescent for eight of the most formative years of my life. The School was always welcoming and nurturing, and many of the friendships I formed there have lasted my entire life. Who would have thought that someone I met in the Manor Courtyard on our first day of Grade 5 would be the best man at my wedding?
As a recipient of financial aid for many years, I felt a duty to give back once I had the means to do so. I’m proud to continue the tradition of those who were so generous to me.
Donors have to take a leap of faith because the payoff isn’t immediate. Society mostly benefits down the line, from the adults those children will become. But it does come, with tremendous returns. And I know the Crescent community has the foresight to understand that.”
IMPACT
Crescent School recognizes that promise is not bound by socioeconomic status. Our Student Financial Assistance Program allows boys of promise to receive a Crescent education despite their families’ financial circumstances.
Student Financial Assistance is transformative not only for the students who receive it but for our school community as a whole. Financial Assistance allows our students to be surrounded by the best of the best from across the city. Students on financial assistance bring a diversity of thought and experience to enrich the learning environment for everyone at the school. As tuition continues to increase over time, affording Crescent may exceed the means for some families. A robust financial assistance program will ensure that Crescent remains within reach of a broader section of Crescent parents.
In 2023-2024, 47 boys attended Crescent supported by Student Financial Assistance; our goal is to reach 60 students by 2030. This year alone $1.2 million was spent on Student Financial Assistance, meaning that more boys had the chance to join the Crescent community. Our dream is to one day be needs-blind so that no deserving student will be turned away from Crescent for financial reasons. Sharing the privilege of a Crescent education remains central to our core values.
HARRIETT WYNNE-JONES
DONOR PROFILE
Harriet Wynne-Jones’ career teaching art started at Crescent 30 years ago.
Beloved by students past and present, Harriet felt that Legacy Giving offered the most meaningful way for her to make a lasting contribution to Crescent.
“It is my pleasure to celebrate legacy giving, to ensure that Crescent remains a place where students not only learn, but thrive—creatively, intellectually, and emotionally. Crescent is not just a place of learning; it’s a community where relationships are built on trust, respect, and a shared commitment to growth. These connections have profoundly shaped my own experience, both as an educator and as a member of the Crescent family.
I have chosen to make a legacy gift to Crescent as a meaningful way to express my gratitude to my art stars and their families, whose presence has so deeply enriched my professional life.
I cherish my memories and transformative moments that I will forever hold dear. This gift is not only a gesture of thanks but also a pledge to honour the land upon which we are so fortunate to build—recognizing it as sacred ground and reaffirming our shared commitment to stewardship and responsibility for the future.”
IMPACT
Legacy Giving is one way to secure the future of our school for generations to come. Legacy gifts enable a donor to make a significant contribution to a cause that is important to them, without impacting their current quality of life.
Donors can make arrangements for a future gift to Crescent School through their will, estate plan, or other financial instruments. This type of gift often enables individuals to contribute a much larger amount than they could comfortably give during their lifetime and can provide significant tax advantages for the donor’s estate. We recommend that you consult with a qualified financial advisor, lawyer or accredited estate planner when considering a legacy gift.
Donors who participate in legacy giving join the Susan Denton Massey Society, where you will be recognized for your contributions to Crescent School. Susan Denton Massey was the first significant benefactor in Crescent’s history. She bequeathed her 40-acre Denton House estate in eastern Toronto to the school, where Crescent established the Dentonia Park campus between 1933 and 1970.
ON DOLLARS RECEIVED IN 2023/2024
Total Received represents pledge payments + outright gifts + Gift-in-Kind donations
Committed represents new pledges + outright gifts + Gift-in-Kind donations
$3,073,920 $3,890,511
$9,401,169 $19,791,522
$9,444,442
$6,738,052
$6,318,652
$4,872,208
$4,856,575 $6,413,066
FINANCIALS FUNDS SUPPORTED IN
2023/2024
The following funds were supported through charitable donations to Crescent School or Crescent School Foundation between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024
Alumni Athletic Fund
Black History Month Speaker Fund
Business Fund
Buy-a-Book & Beyond Fund
By Alumni, For Alumni Bursary Fund
Chawla Family Scholarship
Class of 1981 Bursary
Pat Mills Family Class of '87 Bursary
Alberto del Rosal '89 & Rob Druzeta '89 Class of '89
Scholarship
Class of 1992 Bursary
Class of 1993 Bursary
Class of 1994 Bursary
Class of 1995 Bursary
Class of 1997 Bursary
Class of 1998 Bursary
Class of 1999 Bursary
Class of 2000 Bursary
Class of 2001 Bursary
Class of 2003 Bursary
Class of 2005 Bursary
Class of 2008 Fund
Class of 2009 Fund
Class of 2010 Fund
Class of 2011 Fund
Class of 2012 Bursary
Jack Hogarth 2013 Class Scholarship
Class of 2014 Scholarship
Class of 2015 Scholarship
Colin Lowndes Class of 2016 Bursary
Class of 2019 Scholarship
Rob Cranston & Don Morrison Class of 2021
Scholarship
Grant, Jansen, Porteous Class of 2022 Scholarship
Class of 2023 Scholarship
Class of 2024 Scholarship
Class of 2024 Expendable Fund
Crescent Parent Association Centennial Scholarship
Crescent School Experience Fund
Crescent School Fund 22/23
Crescent School Fund 23/24
Crescent School Fund 24/25
Crescent Staff Bursary Fund
The David & Betty Lay Family Scholarship
The Diversity & Tolerance Fund
The Erdman Family Fund for Diversity & Tolerance
The Eric Song ’19 Endowment Fund for Health & Wellbeing
The Eric Song ’19 Expendable Fund for Health & Wellbeing
Expendable Student Financial Aid
The Fraser Gooderham '06 Scholarship Fund
Headmaster Discretionary PD Fund
Headmaster's Discretionary Expendable Fund
The Humayun-Sheerazi Fund
International Outreach Endowment Fund
The J. Greydon Watt '20 Scholarship
John Tansey Endowment Fund
Kierans Family Fund
The Luo Family Scholarship Fund
The Master Campus Plan Phase 1
Our Way Forward Campaign - Crescent Student Services Fund
Our Way Forward Campaign - Student Financial Assistance Fund
Our Way Forward Campaign - Unrestricted Fund
Performing Arts Endowment
Racioppo Family Fund for Local Outreach
The Rosenhek Family Scholarship
Rumball Land Acquisition
The Wan Family Scholarship
Wen Family Scholarship Fund
William L. Burridge Bursary Fund
The Yu Family Scholarship
Zhang Family Scholarship
Zhang/Liu Headmaster's Discretionary Fund
RECEIVED DONATIONS
to see a list of donations by giving level, received between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Click Here
CUMULATIVE GIVING 1913 SOCIETY
for a list of donors who have generously committed $100,000 or more to Crescent School or The Crescent School Foundation over their lifetimes up to and including June 30, 2024. Click Here
