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Rising to the Occasion
<< Frank D. Ashburn Chapel at Brooks in September 2021.
The Brooks community came together in fiscal year 2021 determined to give the school the resources, support and day-to-day tools it needed to provide a meaningful educational experience in the face of a pandemic.
A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Thank You For Your Care The fiscal year 2021 was unprecedented. New instructional methods were developed and tweaked during the numerous obstacles presented to us by the COVID-19 pandemic. Faculty and administrators planned for shorter periods of class time, changing operational course swiftly as new challenges arose. Students showed up sometimes through screens, sometimes behind masks, sometimes at undesirable hours of the day, to learn and be part of our community. Brooks rose to the occasion this past year. Our students, employees and families leaned in, adapted and took care of one another. The financial support we received for both our emergency and traditional needs enabled the leadership to create policies and programs to keep our community safe while also delivering on our mission. This report on Brooks philanthropy highlights your impact on Brooks School in this past year. The financial achievements outlined in these pages make Brooks strong and nimble, allowing us to approach the future with confidence and renewed energy. Today, Brooks Fund gifts provide 11 percent of the school’s operating budget and fund vital aspects of our program: classroom innovation, faculty support and financial aid. This support has increased from 10 percent of the budget just a few years ago. We are proud of our school and the growth we have experienced in recent years. This is all possible due to the philanthropic support of our alumni, families and friends. We thank all our donors, large and small, for your generosity during those difficult days. Without your care, many aspects of what makes Brooks great would not be possible. GAGE S. DOBBINS Director of Institutional Advancement Please visit www.brooksschool.org/impactreport to view the full 2021 Impact Report.
Ways Meaningful in Funds Using
FY 21
REVENUE
TOTAL
$22,561,575 EXPENSES
TOTAL $22,280,787
● Net Tuition $15,547,075
● Brooks Fund $2,417,439
● Restricted Operating Contributions $700,000
● Endowment $3,480,400
● Other $416,661
● Salaries & Benefits $12,684,814
● Materials & Services $2,813,249
● Food Service $1,153,329
● Plant & Property $2,733,121
● Auxiliary $365,000
● Debt Service $843,937
● COVID Expenses $1,687,337
DAVIS SCHOLARS PROGRAM
12
Current participants (FY21)
$650,000
FY21 Operating Budget
2018
Established
DAVIS FELLOWS PROGRAM
2
Current participants (FY22)
$50,000
FY21 Operating Budget
2020
Established
Above: The Brooks community worked together toward a common goal in FY21.
Opposite top: Brooksians in the classroom this fall. Strong donor support helped the school provide a meaningful education through the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Opposite bo om: The Devireddy family on campus this fall.
BROOKS SCHOOL BY THE NUMBERS
Intentionally Small 351
STUDENTS
Down from 381 five years ago
Residential Community 72%
BOARDING
Equitable Tuition 35%
of students receive financial aid. Up from 20%
12 years ago
$45,000
the average aid package
Tuition is $66,900 for boarders; $55,000 for day students
$5.5 MILLION Net financial aid awarded
Members of the girls cross-country team cheer on the boys team at the finish line this fall.
>> The most recent Malcolm G. Chace III Prize winners. From le to right: Lughano Nyondo ’24, Connor O’Neill ’23, Saunders Haley ’22.
MALCOLM CHACE IV
Restricted Giving
In addition to the Brooks Fund, our school receives contributions from donors who have a targeted or restricted intention for their gift. These contributions, many of which are in addition to annual unrestricted Brooks Fund donations, provide vital support for Brooks and help us fulfill our mission. Featured here are just three of several programs that were supported by restricted funds last year.
Davis Scholars and Fellows Programs
Funded by the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund and Brooks alumnus Andrew Davis ’81, these two philanthropic programs honor the Davis family’s strong commitment to supporting the futures of young people from underrepresented populations in independent schools.
The Davis Scholars Program financially covers a four-year Brooks education for selected students who will be the first in their family to attend college. The scholars collectively meet with program advisor Kenya Jones, as well as their individual advisors, throughout the year to support one another with a focus on gaining knowledge and skills to effectively manage financial resources for a lifetime of financial well-being. In addition, students develop personal school-wide success skills and core values.
The Davis Fellows Program provides support and growth for young educators who are new to teaching, coaching and residential life. Professional duties, such as teaching classes and providing student mentorship, are slowly added throughout the two-year fellowship.
These valued Brooksians add their unique perspectives and experiences and contribute immeasurably to the fabric of our community.
Year-End Prizes
During our year-end celebrations of Prize Day and Lawn Ceremony, Brooks honors students with accolades in various categories. The Malcolm G. Chace III Prize is awarded to a third-, fourth- and fifth-former who, in the judgement of the head of school, has made the most personal progress during the year. The prize provides funding to partially offset the following year’s tuition for the recipient.
The Chace family continues to provide support for this prize in honor of Brooks alumnus Malcolm Chace III ’52, who established the fund in 1987.
Holiday Cheer
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many people asked how they could acknowledge Brooks employees who were supporting students both on campus and remotely. In December 2020, the board of trustees came together to collectively honor Brooks employees with a thoughtful gift at the holiday
The most recent Malcolm G. Chace III
A LETTER FROM THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
A Milestone Year for the Brooks Endowment
The Brooks endowment has exhibited consistent and strong growth during the past 10 years. We surpassed the endowment milestone of $100 million at the close of the 2020–2021 academic year, as our official year-end number was $101,945,745. This is quite an accomplishment for our school and a credit to the commitment of our donors and thoughtful investment policies. From faculty chairs and professional development to financial aid and program support, the Brooks endowment impacts the daily experience of every student and faculty member at Brooks. Last year, the endowment provided almost $3.5 million of support to the operating budget, which is about 15 percent of the total budget. A strong endowment is the foundation for future planning and an area of vital importance for Brooks going forward.
We are grateful to generations of Brooks alumni, family and friends who have made gifts to the school’s endowment. Without your thoughtful stewardship, we would not have the strength we celebrate today.
If you have any questions about the Brooks endowment or our investment policy, I encourage you to contact me at (978) 725-6213 or pgriffin@brooksschool.org. (See page 23 for endowment numbers.)
PAUL GRIFFIN Chief Financial Officer
season. Every employee received a one-time supplement to their paycheck, which was paid through a 2020 financial account aptly named the Holiday Cheer fund.
In his message to employees, Head of School John Packard shared, “I am grateful to school leadership for making this possible. I know they are grateful for all you have done to keep our students learning and growing, and our campus open and accessible with all sorts of headwinds making that extremely complicated.”
These one-time gifts to more than 150 members of the faculty and staff were a meaningful gesture of gratitude during a challenging year.
Thank You!
One of the hallmarks of Brooks School is our deep commitment to our community — both on campus and beyond. In a year like no other, Brooks alumni, parents, faculty and friends volunteered in ways above and beyond the norm. We are grateful to the 450-plus members of our Brooks community who donated their time to Brooks during the 2020–2021 year.
▶ The board of trustees and alumni board provided vital leadership and guidance to our administration and faculty. ▶ Our class agents learned about the unique fiscal model of the school during the
COVID-19 pandemic and shared that information with classmates while encouraging their philanthropic support, most notably on our record-se ing Giving Day. ▶ Class correspondents kept our classes connected by coordinating class Zoom calls and regular touchpoints. ▶ Our students, alumni and parents served as school ambassadors for our admissions program through personal outreach and online forums. ▶ Reunion volunteers kept school spirit strong with creative options for our virtual reunion in May 2021.
Volunteers, through your efforts, you made a significant impact. Thank you!
