Facing the tuition challenge head on

The pilot program to reduce tuition that began in 2017 is drawing to a close. What's next?

Let's begin with a brief recap. Following the announcement in 2017 that visionary philanthropic gifts would allow the school to lower tuition by close to $10,000 for all families for five years, we waited with baited breath for the answers to two key questions: The gifts were provided by the donors as a route to boosting enrolment. Was that premise sound? The gifts were given with the intention of catalyzing wider philanthropic commitment.

Would the community rise to the challenge?

As it happens, things played out spectacularly well and exactly as intended: over the last five years, enrolment has grown significantly, retention from Jewish day schools has rebounded, and families are flooding to New Stream. And despite setting ambitious philanthropic goals that far exceed accepted benchmarks, fundraising income has grown consistently.

The proof is self-evident: lower tuition results in a vibrant and viable school.

Along with a commitment to continued educational excellence, the school is adopting a strategic approach to sustaining tuition accessibility, informed by the learnings from the pilot program. In particular, we recognize the barriers that exist for middle-income families and will launch the TanenbaumCHAT Tuition Assistance Program (TTAP) for the 2022/23 school year to address those needs. As with all new programs of such importance, we will closely monitor and evaluate its effectiveness. Since the only way to sustain both excellence in programming and lower tuition is through philanthropy, our commitment to continued robust fundraising is unwavering.

Enrollment

2017/18 2018/19

2019/20 2020/21

2021/22

874

954

1013

1095

1225

Powering TanenbaumCHAT Annual Fund

$1M $1.2M $1.5M $2.1M

$2.3M GOAL

2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22

Power TanenbaumCHATingNow & Always

We are thrilled that more than 50 volunteers have joined the critically important Development Committee (comprising Major Gifts, Parent Engagement, Alumni, and Life & Legacy) which will broaden our engagement opportunities and lead to greater success in our Powering TanenbaumCHAT annual campaign. “I am truly grateful for the incredible financial support we have received from our donors,” says Frances Bigman, Director of Advancement, “and I want to acknowledge the hard work of the fundraising team, chaired by David Mansell (see page 19) which, in partnership with our Advancement staff, has led our school to a record breaking 110% increase over the last four years.” As with other major institutions, TanenbaumCHAT’s success hinges on the partnership between the school and the community. The school’s commitment is to continue to provide an exemplary Jewish education to every child who wants it. At the same time, TanenbaumCHAT depends on the financial support of our entire community. Philanthropy has paved the way for the school’s success thus far and it is vital to maintaining tuition accessibility.

So, what’s next? The equation is simple: TanenbaumCHAT can only fulfill its unique role in the community when the community stands in solidarity with TanenbaumCHAT. You have the power! Five years ago, we never imagined that funding the tuition reduction program would change the landscape of the school to the extent that it has. We were thrilled to learn of the extraordinary 40% increase in enrolment! It is extremely gratifying for us to see that, as we had hoped, parents, past parents, alumni and the entire community are stepping up their philanthropic efforts. They are helping to ensure tuition accessibility so that TanenbaumCHAT remains a viable option for so many parents who want to provide their children with an exemplary Jewish high school education. We are honoured to have spearheaded this endeavour.

– Edie Neuberger ’75 & Norm Jesin ’74

Your gift will help sustain educational excellence and tuition accessibility.

TanenbaumCHAT is powered by the generosity of our entire community. And now more than ever, you can make a difference.

If you would like to make your gift today:

1. Hold your phone camera over this QR code 2. When a notification appears, tap to go to our giving page

Or visit: tanenbaumchat.org/Donate