HEAD OF SCHOOL PHILANTHROPY IMPACT REPORT FALL 2024
Greetings From The Head of School
Dear Friends,
It is both an honor and a pleasure to present to you our Philanthropy Impact Report for the past year. This report is a testament to the incredible impact of your generosity and the profound difference you make in the lives of our students, faculty, and community as a whole.
Your contributions to Berwick Academy ensure that the School’s foundation remains robust, allowing us to provide an exceptional educational experience that is second to none More than just funding, your leadership sets the tone for a thriving culture of philanthropy here at Berwick It is this spirit of generosity that truly transforms a good school into a great one, enabling us to dream bigger, innovate further, and provide our students and faculty with the resources and opportunities they need to excel.
Exciting changes are on the horizon for Berwick Academy as we prepare to publicly launch the largest capital campaign in the history of the School, The Campaign for Berwick. Over the next year, we look forward to the design and planning for a renovation of The Commons, a space that will be reimagined to better serve as the heart of our school community. This revitalized hub will provide a dynamic and welcoming environment where students, faculty, and families can connect, collaborate, and create lasting memories
Your philanthropic leadership is the cornerstone of our School's continued success It is what allows us to attract and retain top-tier faculty, maintain and enhance our state-of-the-art facilities, and offer a wide array of student-centered programming that enriches the lives of our students Simply put, philanthropy is what makes excellence possible, and your leadership ensures that we not only meet but exceed our goals year after year.
Thank you once again for your unwavering support and commitment to Berwick. Your leadership in philanthropy inspires us all, and I look forward to seeing you on campus soon.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Jim Hamilton, Head of School
2023-2024
Philanthropy at Berwick Academy
We are deeply grateful to you, our leadership donors, for empowering Berwick Academy to fulfill its mission of “promoting virtue and useful knowledge among the rising generations ” Leadership support, defined as cumulative giving of $1,791 and above in a single fiscal year, accounted for an incredible 86% of unrestricted giving to The Berwick Fund this year Your exceptional generosity has made a profound difference.
Number of Leadership Donors
Head of School’s Society
$50,000 and above
Fogg Society
$10,000-$24,999
1791 Society
$1,791-$4,999
Belltower Society
$25,000-$49,999
Hilltop Society
$5,000-$9,999
$4.98M $4.98M
$753,329
$406,237 $406,237 $156,110 $100,032 $100,032 $18,212
of our budget went to faculty and staff compensation & benefits.
invested in Flexible Tuition to ensure a Berwick education is accessible to students from all financial backgrounds. In 2023, 44% of the student body qualified for Flexible Tuition.
Last year, Berwick Academy strategically shifted how we discuss the costs of an independent school education with families. Our goal is to ensure that any family who could benefit from a Berwick education will not allow cost to be a barrier to considering our School Shifting the language from “financial aid” to “flexible tuition” highlights our commitment to working collaboratively with families in identifying a tuition level that meets their unique financial circumstances This approach to affordability is an empowering way for families to explore a tuition level that reflects their financial circumstances.
invested to provide nutritious and delicious meals to our community of over 600 people each day.
invested in technology to make learning more accessible, engaging, and effective by integrating digital tools into the educational experience.
used to educate faculty and staff on new teaching methods, educational research, and curriculum developments to improve student learning outcomes.
invested to safely transport athletes to and from away games.
used on class orientation trips to help students bond with their classmates and teachers, fostering a sense of community and belonging
Honoring Dennis Fink ’44: A Legacy of Generosity and Commitment to Education
Just shy of his 98th birthday, Dennis Fink '44 passed away peacefully on May 3, 2024, surrounded by loved ones Dennis was a devoted husband, a passionate philanthropist, a lover of science, history, and nature, and a cherished member of the Berwick alumni community Through his estate plans, Dennis set up a charitable remainder trust to establish The Alexander-Blackwell Scholarship Fund at Berwick Academy The fund, valued at $1 3M, will provide Flexible Tuition support to Berwick students for generations to come
Financials
Dear Berwick Academy Community,
As members of the Finance and Resource Management Committee of the Board of Trustees, we are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the financial health and sustainability of Berwick Academy It is a duty we approach with great care and a deep sense of commitment to the mission and values of our beloved school
We are proud to highlight the impact of The Campaign for Berwick, which has significantly bolstered Berwick’s financial foundation. With more than $11 million in gifts and pledges received to date, the majority of which is unrestricted support, we are able to enhance the current student experience. At the same time, this success gives the School the durability and flexibility to thrive in the future, supported by an increased endowment draw that ensures Berwick Academy remains strong and financially resilient for generations to come.
Over the past year, Berwick was able to transition the endowment draw calculation from a fixed amount of $700,000 to a more impactful approach 4% of a 20-quarter trailing average aligning with the industry standard. The impact of this shift has already been realized, as the endowment’s support of the School’s operations increased to $845,000 for FY24, coupled by another projected increase to $878,000 for FY25. This carefully considered approach allows us to balance the immediate needs of our school with the imperative of ensuring that our endowment is positioned to provide perpetual support of the School’s financial sustainability. The ability of the School to secure increased resources from the endowment has provided greater ability to invest in the academic program, maintain Berwick’s historic campus, and attract and retain our extraordinary faculty.
We are deeply grateful to our community of donors, whose generosity makes these achievements possible. Your contributions are more than gifts they are investments in the continued success and vitality of Berwick Academy. Together, we are building a legacy that will benefit students, faculty, and our community for years to come.
As we look to the future, we remain steadfast in our clear vision of our mission and strong commitment to our strategic imperatives to ensure the continued strength and success of Berwick Academy. Thank you for your support and trust in our shared vision.
With sincere appreciation,
Jim Lawson, Co-Chair Finance & Resource Management Committee
Jim Lawson, Co-Chair
Tim Burr '86, Co-Chair
Chris Benecchi
Kevin Breen
Anya Burzynski '10
Mark Dalzell, Member at Large
Laura Harris
Jason Kroll
Tim Burr '86, Co-Chair Finance & Resource Management Committee
Barbara O'Connor
Elevating Berwick's Theater Program
S g p g
met their needs as strong thespians. The program has allowed them to continue developing their skills, offering them opportunities to shine both on and off the stage.
Equally important are students like Aidan McEachern ’25, Griffin Nedelka ’25, and Adela Zinski ’24, who discovered their passion for theater at Berwick. Aidan initially worked behind the scenes on set design but has since emerged as a performer and leader, elected to serve as an Upper School prefect this school year. Griffin, who arrived at Berwick in Kindergarten, has been a technical theater guru and lighting designer since Middle School.
Adela, who joined Berwick in January 2022, quickly became an indispensable member of the theater community. Adela’s contributions to set design and stage management have been integral to the success of numerous productions, culminating in Adela receiving the prestigious Douglas Darrah Hollis Memorial Award, which honors the student who has made the greatest impact in the theater program.
The Endowed Fund for Theater will continue to ensure that students, whether they are seasoned performers or newcomers to the stage, have the opportunity to explore, grow, and excel in the performing arts. As the theater program continues to flourish, supporters of the fund will leave an indelible mark on the lives of countless students, empowering them to pursue their passions and inspiring them to carry the torch of creativity into the future.
Adela ’24 at Upper School Baccalaureate
Fostering Growth and Innovation from the Top
Berwick Academy classrooms may be quieter during the summer months, but the spirit of learning is still vibrant this time among our teachers Thanks to the generous contributions to The Berwick Fund and the School's endowment, faculty have the opportunity each year to apply for summer learning grants to explore new ideas, develop resources, and enhance their teaching practices These grants are intended to support innovative curricular and classroom work that aligns with the School's mission and advances key strategic initiatives.
Among the many impactful projects this summer, Middle School Dean of Students Molly McKay designed a Speak Up program to engage Middle School students in meaningful discussions and activities that promote awareness, critical thinking, and empathy. This initiative will empower students to become advocates for positive change within the Berwick community, and give students tools to address bias and prejudice.
Athletic Trainer and Health Educator Holly Bennett partnered with Lower and Middle School Counselor Sarah Feldman to research and plan an athlete mental health program aimed at increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and building mental health skills and resiliency among students
Other projects included developing a 10-year strategic plan for Berwick’s Fabrication Studio, curriculum mapping for first grade faculty with “community” as the central theme, and developing an online placement test system for Upper School students in mathematics.
Summer grant work, among other faculty professional development opportunities, exemplifies Berwick’s commitment to continuous growth, ensuring that our faculty are equipped to provide the best possible education for our students. Through these grants, Berwick educators are not just preparing for the school year ahead—they are innovating and expanding the horizons of what’s possible in the classroom
Molly McKay Middle School Dean of Students
Holly Bennett Athletic Trainer & Health Educator
Sarah Feldman Lower & Middle School Counselor
Leadership Donors 2023 2024
Celebrating all cumulative pledges and gifts of $1,791 and more made in the 2023-2024 year
Anonymous (3)
AKC Fund, Inc
David Allen '72 and Sheree Kaplan Allen
Kelly and Trevor Arp
Christopher and Ashley Benecchi
Marc and Ksenia Blanchette
Aubrey and Heather Bout
Christopher and Katie Bouton
Cynthia and Lance Briggs
Helen Brosseau
Kevin and Elise Buckley
Timothy Burr '86 and Carrie Burr
Steve and Alex Cantwell
Aaron Caswell '92 and Stephanie Caswell
Adam and Kathryn Cavanagh
Charles and Patricia Clement
Mark Dalzell
Jeremy and Cassandra Davidson
James and Dianne Dean
James and Paulette Dinulos
Patrick and Jenny Donnelly
Jonathan Douglas and Katie Kozin
William Doyle and Stephanie Nam
Paula Durand and Benjamin Easton
Peter and Barbara Dusseault
Scott and Melodie Dylla
Mary Ervin
Michael and Terry Estes
Robert and Kathleen Flory
David and Kathleen Flynn
Jameson and Priscilla French
Jack French ’10
Jennie French ’05
Lucy French ’06
Jeffrey and Kellisue Friedman
Samuel Fuld '00
Julie Givens and Javier Jimenez
Steven Goldenberg '68 and Blanche Goldenberg
Lisa and Jason Goulemas
Wayne and Karolyn Graham
Timothy Guy '86 and Linda Guy
James and Lucille Hamilton
Laura Harris and Charles Potter
Mack and Nina Hendrick
Polly Henkel
E.J. and David Hetz
Lily Hsia
O.P. and Martha Jackson
Jean and Costikyan Jarvis
Russell and Mary Jeppesen
Jochum-Moll Foundation
Seth and Stephanie Kassels
Eric Katz '84 and Marla Katz
Catherine Kegley
David Kittredge '82 and Elizabeth Hallett '83
Jason Kroll and Rachel Forbes
Kenneth Lafler '82 and Selena Tan
James and Amy Lawson
Rebecca Linney
Arul and Meera Mahadevan
Lawrence Martineau, Jr. '64 and Karen Martineau
Joseph and Deirdre McEachern
Kevin and Elizabeth McGann
Kelly and Shawn McGowan
John and Anne-Marie McKenna
Justin and Angeline McLane
Lucas Merrow '81 and Robin Merrow
Dan and Maria Mirica
Jan and Shannon Nedelka
Bill and Simran Noon
Clare O'Brien and Charles Doane
Barbara O'Connor
Vania O'Connor
Virginia and William Osborn
Nicole Outsen and Alexander Garside
Mike and Bea Parker
Robert Perkin '65
Elizabeth Plate
Ray and Carol Ramsey
Drew Remignanti and Darby Johnson
The Richard Foundation
Virginia Richard
Zack and Erica Richard
Kyle and Bridget Richter
Kim and Ania Rogers
Robert Roriston and Sarah Bird
Jack and Valerie Rowe
Brian and Sally Rubenstein
Schleyer Foundation
Mary and William Schleyer
Amy Shafmaster '90
Richard Shafner '65 and Janet Eustis
Freddie Sico and Michelle Shanley
John and Maureen Simonds
Gordon and Jill Sims
Marc Small and Rebecca Rowe
Malcolm Smith III
Amy and James Smucker
Ann Spaulding
Patrick Spearman and Jane Oldfield-Spearman
Margaret Stevens
The George B. Storer Fund at The Miami Foundation
Peter and Jean Storer
The Roger R. Thompson Endowment
Joan and Henry Trimble III
Sam and Judith Trotzky
Samuel Troy '63
John Umlauf '65
Jonathan and Katie Watts
Josh and Toni Weinstein
Paula Williamson-Reid
Steven Wourgiotis and Anita Mathur
Toby Zhang '24
Christopher and Pattie Zinski
2023-2024 Board of Trustees
Barbara O'Connor, President
Paula Williamson-Reid, Vice President
Jim Lawson, Treasurer
Jason Kroll, Secretary
Chris Bouton
Kevin Breen
Tim Burr ’86
Mary Ervin
Jim Hamilton
Laura Harris
Seth Kassels
Dr. Arul Mahadevan
Jermaine Moore
Clare O'Brien
Nicole Outsen
Catherine Stevens Powell ’80
Kartik Sakthivel
Malcolm Smith III
Kenneth Lafler ’82, ex-officio
Rebecca Thompson, ex-officio
2023-2024
Berwick Parent Community Board
Rebecca Thompson P’30, President
Natalee Martin ’01, P’28, ’31, Vice President & Treasurer
Nina Hendrick P’26, ’29, ’33, Secretary
Kelly Arp P’25, P’28
Elizabeth Billingham P’35, ’38
Dr. Julie Franklin P’27, ’29
Sarah Frick P’25
Carolyn Hogan P’29, ’30
Catherine Kegley P’31, ’32, ’35
Deirdre McEachern P’25, ’26
Kelly McGowan P’19, ’24, ’29
Shaye Robbins P’31
Dr. Mansi Saksena P’21, ’26
Katie Watts P’28, P’32
Sarah Wojdak P’22, ’24
Pattie Zinski P’24
2023-2024
Alumni Advisory Board
Ken Lafler ’82, President
Sarah Fincke Bologna ’05
Anya Burzynski ’10
Kate Cavanaugh ’10
Kolbie McCabe Deamon ’09
Brittany McKenna Dickson ’01, P’27
Sharon Fogarty ’82
Clare Lloyd Owen Garfield ’09
Brooks Jalbert ’15
Alex Katz ’14
Brooke Moschetto ’11
Aliza Norcross ’05
Dave Schleyer ’05
Ryan Walters ’11
2024-2025
Welcome to Our New Trustees
Chris Benecchi
Kelly McGowan
Dr. Virginia Osborn
Katie Watts
Kelly Arp, ex-officio
Anya Burzynski ’10, ex-officio
