Advancement
The 2019-2020 year was extremely successful philanthropically. Not only did George School raise $15,119,603 in total commitments, but we saw increases in numbers of donors, parent participation, and gifts for the Great Green Give as well as significant new gifts for faculty support and to the Educational Improvement Tax Credit and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit. Development The foundation of giving is the George School Fund. In many ways, this annual fund acts as our living endowment, as gifts from alumni, past and current parents, grandparents, and friends underwrite our current operations and new educational initiatives. Both unrestricted and restricted funds, directed to financial aid, faculty support, and a variety of educational programs, assist in maintaining the high quality of the George School experience. The highlight of the past winter was the Great Green Give, the annual day of giving at George School. The spirit demonstrated that day by the trustee, parent, 1 6 | G E O R G E S C HOOL
Interim Director of Development Mike Perry
alumni, and student volunteers—not to mention generous donors—was palpable, as more than 1,000 gifts flowed into the school for a total of $257,133. Participation in the Educational Improvement and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit programs also rose to $182,956. These important, tax-wise vehicles enable alumni and friends who live in Pennsylvania to make gifts to George School (as businesses and individuals) in exchange for tax credits. Planned gifts are playing an increasingly significant role, too. Through realized bequests, we received $807,148, which was added to the endowment to benefit the school for years to come. We also heard from numerous individuals that they have included George School in their estate plans. One particularly generous donor designated George School as the beneficiary of their 401(k) to establish a series of distinguished faculty chairs. In addition to underwriting a significant part of a chairholder’s salary, the endowment will provide a $5,000 stipend. What a thoughtful commitment of support that recognizes our faculty in perpetuity.
