EMS Guide to Giving

Guide to Giving at The Elisabeth Morrow School

A Note from

Head of School Aaron Cooper Each year, we ask our families, alumni and friends to step forward with a financial contribution to The Elisabeth Morrow School. Like all independent schools, we rely on donations to go above and beyond what tuition alone can provide. We do so because we believe in the pursuit of the highest educational standards in a supportive, creative environment.

Annual gifts to the Apple Tree Fund provide immediate support for teaching and learning, ensuring that every child who graduates from EMS is academically independent, socially responsible and well prepared for a bright future beyond our campus. Gifts to our annual auction gala and periodic capital projects provide permanent funds that strengthen our organization and help secure our future as a leading threes to eighth grade independent school.

The opportunities for you to have an impact are many. I look forward to seeing you on campus and sharing with you all of the ways in which your gifts make a difference.

With warm regards, Aaron Cooper Head of School

Impact Philanthropy

How will you spend your time, talents and treasures?

EMS offers abundant opportunities to express your generosity. Whether through the Parents Association, as a class parent or through your personal financial support, your commitment to

EMS demonstrates your concern for the whole community.

Which appeal will you support?

Only you can determine the answer.

Remember, giving is voluntary and it’s always best to budget ahead. Let us know if you have questions. We’re happy to help and grateful for your consideration.

Why is my annual gift to the Apple Tree Fund so important?

Your annual gifts to the Apple Tree Fund are the single most important source of non-tuition revenue at The Elisabeth Morrow School. In a sense, all students benefit from a tuition subsidy because tuition alone does not cover the full cost of their education.

The Apple Tree Fund helps EMS: • Attract and retain the best teachers and provide ongoing professional development;

• Maintain small class sizes and individualized learning;

• Provide a welcoming place for families of all backgrounds.

• Encourage an innovative curriculum for math and science;

Simply put, gifts to the Apple Tree Fund provide that margin of excellence that distinguishes EMS from all others. This is an advantage of independent schools, and why it is so important for everyone to contribute. In fact, more than 80% of current families and hundreds of alumni and friends pledge their support to the Apple Tree Fund each year. No gift is too small and, every gift, regardless of size, matters!

• Produce a wide variety of athletics, as well as exemplary performing and visual arts programs; • Purchase state-of-the-art technology, supplies and materials for teaching and learning; • Moderate increases in tuition; and

What does the Apple Tree Fund support?

• Varied academics • Excellent teachers • Small class size • Character education • Music and art classes • Athletics • Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, Math curriculum • World languages • Field trips • Service learning projects • Professional development for teachers and administrators • Security and updates to the campus and facilities • Technology and computers • Classroom equipment

…and much more.

The countdown

is on...

S M E 4 y l

l a #R

Friday October 28, 2016

Strength in Numbers

Friday, October 28 is the first-ever #Rally4EMS, the day we ask everyone to pledge their financial support to The Elisabeth Morrow School’s Apple Tree Fund.

Participation in annual giving is a clear sign of a thriving school community, and everyone plays an important role.

All gifts received from July 1 to October 28 will be counted in this special appeal.

In addition, several generous members of our community have stepped forward with a one-to-one challenge that will match all new and increased gifts. What better time than now to join us and double the impact of your giving for teachers and students at EMS? For more information look for #Rally4EMS in print, in your email and on social media, or go to our website at elisabethmorrow.org and click the #Rally4EMS button on the right.

How can I get more involved?

ANNUAL AUCTION GALA

ENDOWMENT FUNDS

CAPITAL GIFTS TO OUR CAMPUS

Thursday, May 11, 2017 from 6:30 to 10:00 pm at Alpine Country Club

Endowment funds add to the longterm financial strength of The Elisabeth Morrow School. These funds live in perpetuity, and while the principal remains intact and growing, a portion of the yearly income is used to support the operating fund or an area designated by the donor. A named endowment fund may be established with a minimum gift of $100,000.

The expansion of the Endowment is a School priority.

From time to time, even the most beautiful campus needs a little work.

With a historic home and four additional classroom facilities, we are constantly in renovation mode.

Each year, hundreds of families, alumni and friends gather to celebrate the faculty of The Elisabeth Morrow School at the annual auction gala. This event raises crucial support for the Faculty Compensation Endowment that allows EMS to engage and retain excellent teachers. We encourage everyone to participate!

Gifts toward capital improvements, which include attractive naming opportunities, ensure that teachers and students have the most modern and technologically-advanced spaces in which to work. STEAM classrooms, athletic fields, auditoriums, libraries and dining facilities are a top priority for the school and an integral part of our strategy to remain competitive among independent schools.

Leadership

Giving

THE MORROW SOCIETY

GIFT CLUBS

HEAD’S COUNCIL

$2,000 to $3,499 Green and White Club

$20,000 and up Founders

$12,500 to $19,999 Leaders $7,500 to $12,499 Benefactors $5,500 to $7,499 Patrons $3,500 to $5,499 Sponsors

$1,000 to $1,999 Chilton Circle $500 to $999 Next Day Hill Club Up to $499 EMS Friends

How can my family be more strategic in our giving?

PLEDGE EARLY AND RELAX

When you pledge your support early, the teachers and administrators at EMS can plan better and move forward with confidence. Contributions go directly to the programs and classroom activities that benefit our children.

Your timely commitment allows us to save money and resources, too. Once you make your pledge, you will not be solicited for the Apple Tree Fund for the rest of the fiscal year.

INSTALLMENTS AND RECURRING GIFTS

Donors to EMS are welcome to pay their pledges in installments. We also welcome multi-year pledges and monthly recurring gifts on a credit card. All annual pledges need to be completed by the end of the fiscal year in June.

MATCHING GIFTS

A powerful way for many people to increase the impact of their giving (at no additional cost) is to take advantage of corporate-sponsored matching gift programs. Simply ask your Human Resources department if your company has a program, complete the forms and enclose them with your gift.

This may double or even triple the amount that you direct toward EMS.

Ways to

Give

Online Gifts may be made online using either VISA or MasterCard. The process is secure and simple—just click Online Giving.

Both pledge payments and/or outright contributions may be made in this way.

Credit card donors can often take advantage of accumulating credit card rewards points.

In Person, Phone or Mail Gifts of cash, checks, or with credit card (Visa/MC only), made in person are always welcome. The Development Office is located on the ground floor of Little School. Credit card donations may also be made by calling the Development Office at 201.568.5566, x7223. You may also mail gifts to The Elisabeth Morrow School, Office of Development, 435 Lydecker Street, Englewood, NJ 07631.

EMS offers donors a variety of ways to give that are convenient and may save you money!

Planned Gifts Gifts that are part of an overall financial plan and benefit donors as well as The Elisabeth Morrow School are planned gifts.

Since planned giving must be tailored to individual circumstances and goals, the Development Office is ready to work with you and your advisors to create a strategy that may allow you to benefit in your lifetime and make a larger gift than you might have thought possible.

Securities Appreciated securities can make an excellent and cost effective way to support EMS. Usually, donors receive credit for the full market value on the day the gift is made and may save capital gains tax on donated assets held long term.

Gifts of appreciated securities may be transferred electronically to The Elisabeth Morrow School by your broker. Please be sure to contact the Development Office with the details of the gift (date of gift, number of shares and name of stock). This information is imperative in order for EMS to give appropriate gift credit to the donor.

DTC#: 0164 Code 40 Account Title: Elisabeth Morrow School Account Number: PU 8767-0414 Charles Schwab Co, Inc. 175 Route 17 South, Paramus, NJ 07652 800-435-4000 For further information about gifts of securities or planned gifts, please contact Director of Development, Keith L. Wiggs, at 201.568.5566, x7222 or kwiggs@elisabethmorrow.org.

For more

Information

For more information about giving to The Elisabeth Morrow School, please contact: Keith Wiggs Director of Development 201.568.5566 x7222 Trish Felix Capital Gifts Officer 201.568.5566 x7210 Phyllis Kesslen Director of Alumni and Parent Relations 201.568.5566 x7315 Maureen York Assistant to the Director of Development 201.568.5566 x7223

The Elisabeth Morrow School 435 Lydecker Street, Englewood, NJ 07631 201.568.5566 x7222 giving@elisabethmorrow.org

www.elisabethmorrow.org