MOORESTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL
A GUIDE FOR GREAT FAMILIES
LEARN HOW TO GET INVOLVED AT MFS
WELCOME
Dear Families,
Active engagement by MFS community members in volunteerism and philanthropy has been a tradition since the school’s founding in 1785 and is essential to sustaining the school. This Guide is a great resource. Please take a few moments to read through it and learn about:
Communications platforms
Opportunities to volunteer
The role of Parent Council
The importance of the Annual Fund for MFS and how to give
The history and impact of major fundraising campaigns on the campus, programs, and daily experiences of our students
MFS traditions
I invite you to be actively involved through volunteer efforts and also to join in with all of us who support the school philanthropically, especially by contributing to the Annual Fund for MFS. Please contact the Development Office with any questions about volunteering and giving
I hope you and your family have a terrific year and are deeply engaged in the life of our school community.
OUR MISSION
W Ju H
Moorestown Friends School is a community rooted in Quaker values and dedicated to the pursuit of educational excellence for a diverse student body within an academically rigorous and balanced program emphasizing personal, ethical, and spiritual growth. Fall 1987, revised May 2011
WEBSITE & COMMUNICATIONS
myMFS
A valuable resource to view homework, grades, forms, student & family directories, and more. To access myMFS visit mfriends.myschoolapp.com.
COMMUNICATIONS
Throughout the year, you will receive “MFS E-News” - a digital newsletter informing you of school happenings. In addition, each division sends email newsletters with the latest news and events in the Lower, Middle, and Upper School. “Among Friends” alumni magazine is published in the Fall and the Spring and mailed to all school families.
CONFERENCES
Parents and guardians are invited to meet individually with teachers to discuss student progress at fall, winter, and spring conferences.
WEATHER CLOSINGS AND EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS
In the event of a snow closing, delayed opening, or school emergency, the MFS message alert system will contact your home and cell phone numbers on file via voice and text messages. You will also receive an email message.
STAY CONNECTED
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
SIGN UP TODAY!
Register online to volunteer by going to mfriends.myschoolapp.com and clicking Resources > Parents >"Volunteer Form" or scan the QR Code!
EVENT VOLUNTEER
Work with Parent Council, Divisional Coordinators, and Class Parents to offer assistance throughout the year.
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
Attend an Annual Fund Kickoff Event and help secure gifts for the Annual Fund by personally contacting parents and guardians in your child’s class.
AMBASSADORS
Contact parents and guardians of new MFS students to welcome them to the community.
RED & BLUE CLUB
Volunteer to run the snack shack (Fox Den) at athletic events, assist with seasonal merchandise sales, and promote team and school spirit.
GRANDPARENTS & SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY
Welcome and assist visitors, serve refreshments, and provide event support on the morning of Grandparents and Special Friends Day for Kindergarten through Grade 4 in the Fall.
PARENT/GUARDIAN EQUITY GROUP
Advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives by providing support to families through webinars, shared readings, conversations, etc.
BRAVO CLUB
Assist by preparing costumes, makeup, and hair styles for the actors; building sets for performances; serving dinners for cast and crew during tech weeks; or selling refreshments at performances The Bravo Club also aims to support our student artists at concerts and art shows
PARENT COUNCIL
A PARTNERSHIP AMONG PARENTS, GUARDIANS, ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY, AND STAFF.
MISSION STATEMENT
Parent Council encourages participation in the life of MFS by assisting in the welcoming and orienting of new MFS families, conducting educational programs, enhancing communication, and encouraging participation in fundraising activities.
ORGANIZATION
Parent Council is led by two All School Coordinators. Additionally, Lower, Middle, and Upper School Division Coordinators oversee the two families from each grade who serve as Class Parents.
DANCE CHAPERONES
Middle School parents and guardians may sign up to help supervise the dances held throughout the year.
THRIFT SHOP
Located at 301 Chester Avenue, Thrift Shop volunteers sort and price donations of clothing, collectibles, furniture, etc. and assist customers Proceeds from the Thrift Shop support MFS
NURSING
Serve as a substitute nurse or go on an off-campus trip with a class. This volunteer effort is coordinated by the school nurse.
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
Volunteer to support our students as they compete in events with students from other schools.
LIBRARY
Assist the library staff to cover and catalog books and help students in checking-out and returning books
REFRESHMENTS
Organize and provide refreshments for Back-to-School Nights, concerts, plays, and more.
ADMISSIONS
Be an ambassador for MFS! Assist with open houses, tours of school, and follow-up with prospective families.
MAILINGS
Join in with staff on an as-needed basis to help label, fold, and stuff occasional large mailings.
PHILANTHROPY AT MFS
ANNUAL FUND
The Annual Fund for MFS is the top philanthropic priority for the school community. Every year, parents, guardians, alumni, grandparents, parents of alumni, faculty and staff, and friends contribute to the Annual Fund. Like all independent schools, MFS must raise additional funds beyond tuition revenue to balance the budget and help the school to excel. Gifts made to the Annual Fund support the arts, athletics, professional development, technology, service learning, and more to enhance the educational experience for every student.
PARENT AND GUARDIAN GIVING
In the Fall, every family is personally invited to contribute with a gift that is meaningful, relative to their ability. Leadership Circle volunteers in each grade will contact fellow parents and guardians by phone, email, text message or in person to encourage support for the Annual Fund.
A high level of participation is the hallmark of a healthy independent school, demonstrating our community’s strength and commitment. Foundations review participation levels when considering grants to schools. Giving to the Annual Fund is a statement of support for the school’s Quaker mission, our talented faculty, and our community of students. Annual Fund gifts vary in size and all gifts are appreciated.
HOW TO DONATE
The school’s fundraising year runs from July 1 – June 30. Gifts can be made via cash, check, stock transfer, credit card, or debit card.
To make an online gift or schedule monthly installment payments with a credit or debit card, visit
FALL ANNUAL FUND DRIVE
When you make a gift that is meaningful to your family during the Fall Annual Fund Drive, you are empowering our teachers to pursue our mission in creative and thoughtful ways.
Every student will be impacted by your support and you will help your child's class reach a high level in parent and guardian participation in giving to the Annual Fund.
giving.mfriends.org.
MFS is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY DOES MFS NEED TO RAISE MONEY?
Tuition fees alone do not cover the annual cost of providing an MFS education for each student. Approximately 85% of the operating budget is funded with tuition dollars and the gap is closed through gifts to the Annual Fund, endowment income, and facility rentals. Independent schools like MFS rely on philanthropic support to enhance their educational, extracurricular, and financial aid programs.
DOES THE ANNUAL FUND BENEFIT MY FAMILY?
Yes! Each family receives a tuition discount of more than $1,800 per child thanks to the Annual Fund, income from the school’s endowment, and rentals.
IS MY GIFT TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
MFS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Consult with your financial advisor to determine the impact of philanthropic gifts on your specific circumstances.
WHO IS ASKED TO GIVE TO THE ANNUAL FUND?
Each year, parents, guardians, alumni, grandparents, parents of alumni, faculty, and staff are asked to contribute. The Development Office manages the solicitation of the school community. 100% of the faculty and staff have given to the Annual Fund in a tremendous show of support.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GIFTS TO THE ANNUAL FUND AND GIFTS TO A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN?
The Annual Fund appeal occurs every year and supports current operations. A capital campaign is a separate fundraising initiative and gifts are generally larger often made over a three-to-five-year period to support construction or endowments. Capital campaigns do not happen every year.
CAN I GIVE ONLINE?
Yes! Debit and credit card contributions can be made online at giving.mfriends.org.
CAN I GIVE WITH MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS?
Yes! Contact the Development Office or visit mfriends.org/recurring.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN HISTORY
Philanthropy is traced to the very start of the long history of MFS. In the 1780s, 33 Quaker families raised a total of $1,003.09 to purchase two acres of land and construct a stone school building. Generations of families, alumni, teachers, trustees, and Meeting members have followed in their footsteps and invested in capital campaigns that have changed the landscape of MFS.
The School Committee took on the huge task of constructing the Middle and Upper School building, which has served as the center of the educational experience for thousands of MFS students.
The community provided more than $300,000 to establish the Chester L. Reagan Endowed Chair in Faith and Practice, in honor of the longtime Headmaster. Having grown in value, this fund supports the teaching of Quaker education.
1980s
The Toward Our Third Century Campaign secured more than $1 million to build Stokes Hall, create a new library, and connect the Lower School to the Middle and Upper School building.
1990s
The community raised more than $2 million through Campaign 2000 – Assuring the Future to build the Dining Hall Commons, create two computer labs, and establish the Endowment for Faculty Support.
The Campaign for Arts, Athletics, and Endowment secured more than $6 million to construct the Field House, renovate the Arts Center, and establish 19 endowed funds.
The nearly $7 million Great Classrooms for Great Kids Math and Science Campaign provided new science lab and classrooms, and funded the renovation project to create Hartman Hall, named for former faculty memb Neil Hartman.
2016-2018
More than $5 million in endowment funds were raise Many of the gifts were directed to support the Camde Scholars Program, including $1.7 million raised in recognition of Head of School Larry Van Meter's retirement.
-2021
A special campaign led by the School Committee and Julia de la Torre was undertaken to fund a re-imagined Lower School playground. The new Playscape opened in the Fall of 2021.
sThe School Committee is in the planning phase for a new campaign that will have funding priorities connected with the school’s A Compass for the Future Strategic Plan.
RECOGNITION & OTHER WAYS TO GIVE
DONOR RECOGNITION SOCIETIES
The Annual Report of Donors, published each fall in Among Friends magazine, lists all contributors to MFS during the prior year. MFS recognizes donors for both their loyalty and their leadership level gifts. Parent and guardian donors are listed under the grades of their children. Those who have been consistent annual donors are recognized in the Consecutive Years Giving Society, with membership beginning at five years in a row. Leadership gifts are recognized in the following gift societies:
$250+
$500+
$1,000+
$2,000+
Head of School’s Associates
MFS Associates
Cupola Society
1785 Society
COMPANY MATCHING GIFTS
$5,000+
$10,000+
$25,000+
Founders Society Circle of Friends
George Fox Society
Many employers will match gifts to independent schools. Check with your Human Resources Department to obtain the proper form and send it to the Development Office along with your gift. If your company’s matching gift process is online, please notify the Development Office of the gift. In crediting your donation to MFS, your employer’s matching gift will be included as part of your total donation.
VOLUNTARY 5% PROGRAM
The Voluntary 5% Program/Faculty Retirement Fund has been a special fundraising tradition at MFS since the 1970s. Parents and guardians can contribute to the Voluntary 5% Program with a donation of 5% of their tuition charge to directly support the school’s contribution toward faculty retirement investments. Parents and guardians who would like to contribute to the Voluntary 5% Program must “opt in” to have this donation added to their bill. If you would like to support teaching at MFS in this special way, please contact Bookkeeper Jaime Baker at jbaker@mfriends.org.
PLANNED GIVING AND THE LEGACY SOCIETY
Special gifts including bequests, insurance policies, charitable gift annuities, and trusts have helped to build the MFS endowment over the years. Individuals who include the school in their estate plans are recognized with membership in the MFS Legacy Society. Contact Director of Development Steve Zakroff or visit mfriends.org/support-mfs/planned-giving to learn more.
MFS TRADITIONS
WHAT IS THE HIPPO?
The cement replica of a hippo outside of the White Building was first created by students and faculty in 1973 and rebuilt in 1980. The Hippo serves as a great spot for “first day of school” photos. It is a tradition that the incoming seniors paint the Hippo for the start of the school year.
WHAT IS THE FOX?
The Fox is the MFS mascot. The Fox appears at sporting and other events throughout the year. The mascot is linked to George Fox, the founder of the Religious Society of Friends. When cheering on our teams, be sure to say “Go Foxes!”
WHAT ARE GRANDPARENTS AND SPECIAL FRIENDS DAYS?
For more than 50 years, the school has hosted special days for grandparents and special friends to visit campus. Typically, in the Fall there is a Grandparents and Special Friends Day for Kindergarten through the fourth grade. In the Spring, there are Grandparents and Special Friends days for the preschool and prekindergarten, eighth grade, and seniors.
WHAT IS THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE?
MFS is governed by a Board of Trustees called the School Committee. The School Committee upholds our mission, determines policy, sets tuition, approves the operating budget, oversees fundraising, maintains the responsibility for fiscal affairs, and appoints and evaluates the Head. Administration of school programs and facilities is under the direction of the Head of School.
WHAT ARE FINAL MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP AND COMMENCEMENT?
In June, there are Final Meetings for Worship marking the occasions of the fourth graders moving up to Middle School, the eighth graders moving to the Upper School, and for the seniors as they complete their time at MFS. Family members are invited to attend. Commencement for the graduating seniors is a separate event held on the Oval for the families and friends of graduates. It features two student speakers and a faculty speaker selected by the members of the graduating class.
