A Culture of
at
GPS
WE BELIEVE IN INVESTING IN GIRLS. IF YOU BELIEVE THIS, TOO, TAKE A LOOK INSIDE.
GI RLS P REP ARA TO RY S CHOO L
2023-24
THE WHOLE GIRL
We recognize the world is rapidly changing and that today, the skills and experiences necessary for girls and women to succeed in college, in the workplace, and in their communities are different than in the past.
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At GPS, we believe that learning goes beyond the classroom. Our learner-centered community supports each girl's unique path to success, prioritizing personalized learning and wellbeing. We know the importance of providing every GPS girl with:
• an educational experience that is transformational, not transactional;
• guidance and support to help her achieve a balance of learning and well being;
• life skills such as agency, advocacy, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, communication, resilience, and adaptability;
• a culture of belonging where she is celebrated for who she is and the talents she brings to our community; and
• the confidence to use her voice, lead, and thrive in an ever-changing and challenging world.
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MARGIN OF EXCELLENCE
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OF EXCELLENCE
Like other independent schools, GPS is a nonprofit organization with three main sources of revenue:
TUITION ENDOWMENT PHILANTHROPY
Funds from each of these resources provide students with a GPS education and experience.
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The rich heritage of academic excellence, unique traditions, and myriad opportunities enjoyed by GPS girls is the result of the bold vision of our Founders and the generous support from GPS alumnae, current parents, parents of alumnae, grandparents, faculty and staff, trustees, and friends.
OF GENEROSITY
A
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CULTURE GENEROSITY
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THE FOUNDATION OF GENEROSITY AT GPS
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FOUNDATION GENEROSITY
The GPS Impact Fund is the school’s annual giving program and provides funding for approximately 10% of the operating budget. Gifts to the Impact Fund are put to work immediately, subsidizing the education for every GPS student. The Impact Fund helps close the gap between tuition and the actual cost of a GPS education.
When you give to the Impact Fund, you make a difference in the lives of all GPS girls, helping to ensure the school has the necessary funds to create programs, experiences, and an environment that is best for girls and their social-emotional development.
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OTHER GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
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GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
Major gifts for capital projects and school priorities support improvements for buildings and grounds, important endeavors, and programming. GPS relies on these types of donations to cover costs not included in the operating budget or, at times, offset budgeted expenditures.
Gifts to the endowment complement the revenue from tuition and philanthropy and provide a permanent source of income to GPS now and in the future. The principal of endowed funds is held in perpetuity and invested for long-term growth. Each year a percentage of the endowment’s total market value is made available to advance the school’s mission. The endowment allows GPS to continually grow our programmatic initiatives, transform our campus, increase access to GPS for more girls in the Chattanooga area, and sustain the school for generations to come.
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LEGACY GIFTS
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You can make a lasting contribution to future generations of girls while possibly providing tax benefits for yourself and your family by designating GPS as a beneficiary of your estate plan through a bequest, charitable trust, retirement plan, or insurance policy. After informing GPS of your planned/legacy gift, you immediately become a member of our Cornerstone Society, a special group of dedicated stakeholders who believe strongly in the mission and future of GPS. Unless otherwise specified, realized legacy gifts are most often put into the endowment and are used in perpetuity.
For more information on planned giving, contact Lisa Reynolds Shanahan ’83, Director of Development, at LShanahan@GPS.edu.
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WHERE YOU COME IN
Each year we ask the entire GPS community to give to the Impact Fund. Your gift is an investment in all GPS girls and ensures we:
• attract and retain the most talented faculty and staff as well as secure competitive salaries and benefits for all;
• enhance the breadth and depth of the academic and cocurricular programming that have always been hallmarks of a GPS education;
• create a strong, learner-centered community and diverse culture;
• enhance and improve our buildings and grounds to ensure they reflect and support the amazing teaching and learning happening at GPS; and
• provide financial aid to girls to ensure a GPS education is available to more students.
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YOU
GIFTS OF ALL SIZE MATTER
AND INSPIRES GENEROSITY IN OTHERS!
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AT GPS 16 | GIRLS
SCHOOL
CULTURE OF GENEROSITY
PREPARATORY
With empathy, respect, and civility, we champion and challenge each GPS girl, helping her develop her passions and discover her potential. Your support and investment continues to make GPS the best school for girls.
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WAYS TO MAKE YOUR
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YOUR GIFT
Gifts to the annual Impact Fund, gifts for school priorities, gifts to the general endowment, or specific endowed funds can be made at GPS.edu/Give, using:
VENMO, PAYPAL, APPLE PAY, GOOGLE PAY
A CREDIT CARD OR BANK TRANSFER
A CHECK STOCKS
A MATCHING GIFT
Please contact Lisa Reynolds Shanahan ’83, Director of Development, at LShanahan@GPS.edu with any questions you might have or to learn more about the philanthropic initiatives of GPS.
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PLANNING FOR TODAY & TOMORROW STRATEGIC PLAN | 2023-2028 EMPOWERING GIRLS FOR A CHANGING WORLD Investing in the Future of GPS A CULTURE OF GENEROSITY AT GPS 20 | GIRLS PREPARATORY SCHOOL
PLANNING TOMORROW
The GPS Board of Trustees approved a five-year strategic campaign, “Empowering Girls for a Changing World: Investing in the Future of GPS.” This bold plan has three main priorities:
• Celebrate the whole girl by encouraging each student in her joy of learning, spirit of discovery, and confidence in herself.
• Celebrate community and connection by deepening reciprocal partnerships within our community and the world.
• Celebrate and steward GPS for a robust future by securing the school’s institutional health for today and tomorrow.
This year, we will begin to implement many of the exciting initiatives outlined in the plan while also identifying resources needed to fully realize our transformational goals. In the coming years, GPS will mount a comprehensive capital campaign where we will invite donors to invest in the implementation of our plan and vision for the future. This effort will engage thousands of people—parents and families, alumnae, faculty, staff, and friends—who believe in our school’s mission and share our vision and values. Stay tuned for more details!
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We recognize that financial support may not always be feasible for everyone. At GPS, we value gifts of time, talent, treasure, and testimony.
GENEROSITY COMES IN MANY FORMS
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If you are interested in becoming involved in the GPS community, we have a variety of volunteer opportunities including:
PARENT COUNCIL MEMBER
ONLINE AUCTION COMMITTEE VOLUNTEER
BRUISER BASH COMMITTEE VOLUNTEER
ADMISSION EVENT AMBASSADOR
ADVANCEMENT VOLUNTEER
STUDENT MENTOR CLASSROOM SPEAKER
For more information, please reach out to Coughlin Haverty Cooper ’88, Director of Special Events and Parent Engagement, at CCooper@GPS.edu.
GENEROSITY IN FORMS
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At GPS we aspire to create a robust culture of generosity because we believe in the longstanding mission of our school, all-girls education, and the power of girls and women to impact the world. 205 Island Avenue | Chattanooga, Tennessee | 37405 | GPS .edu @AUG2023 GI RLS P REP ARA TO RY S CHOO L
